The Light Lab Podcast
We (Rabbi Josh Warshawsky, Cantor Ellen Dreskin, Eliana Light, and special guests) believe that there is so much insight to be found in Jewish sacred heritage by holding the gems of our liturgy to the light. We see the immense value of personal, heart-opening, empathy-expanding prayer practice. And we love to talk about both!
Episode 39: Pleas and Please (Amidah middle blessing 13 & R’tzei)
This week, Eliana, Ellen, and Josh explore the last of the petitionary prayers of the Amidah and the transitional section, “r’tzei.” Topics include our favorite sounds, g?d (not) as vending machine, sacrifice and service, and the present (and presence) of present tense. Plus we share some favorite melodies!
What does it mean to hear our prayers?
![Episode 37: [Re]Build (Amidah Middle Blessings 11&12)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/639c9068aa5c38597c3625ad/1673549355707-5ZZK8RPS53TOZRGB80MJ/1.png)
Episode 37: [Re]Build (Amidah Middle Blessings 11&12)
Our Amidah journey continues! This week Ellen, Eliana, and Josh explore and wrestle with blessings on rebuilding Jerusalem and salvation through messiah. There is so much variation amongst prayer books on these two! Topics covered include infrastructure bills, snowy white donkeys, Karens, horns, and classic Jewish jokes.
How can we help a better world blossom into being?
Episode 21: Return (Amidah- Middle Blessings 2+3)
We return to our Amidah series for what seems like a mini High Holidays: talk (or not) of g?d as father and king, longing for return, repentance, and forgiveness. Ellen, Eliana, and Josh dive deep into the text and talk g?d names, meditation, rowboats, and more. Plus a prayer-song exploder for Eliana’s song “Lead Me Back.”
What are you returning to?
Episode 19: Asking for Help (Amidah-Middle Blessings 1)
This week we’re live from Songleader Boot Camp! It was such a treat to interact with folks and feel the energy in the (zoom) room. We’re back in our Amidah series, exploring the challenges and opportunities of petitionary prayer as a whole before jumping into the first of the 13 middle Amidah blessings, on knowledge/understanding/discernment/wisdom. What’s the difference between all these things? Let’s discuss!
Episode 17: Everyday Holiness (Amidah-Kedushah)
How to define the Hebrew word Kedushah? Holiness, distinct, set apart and yet connected, the opposite of sand… Ellen, Eliana, and Josh don’t have all the answers, but they do raise many great questions. In this week's episode we’re on to the third blessing in the amidah, the kedushah-ifying of g?d’s name. There’s numerology, there’s Torah, there’s angels, there’s wheels within wheels, there’s holy choreography- so much to explore on this very deep dive. Listen to the end for a mindful musical moment from Ellen.
How can we bring holiness into our every-day?
Episode 15: Acknowledging What Is (G’vurot)
It’s the second blessing of the Amidah, the fourth installment of our Amidah series, and an all-around enlivening episode! By diving deep into G’vurot, Josh, Ellen, and Eliana explore many questions including: What does it mean to be brought back to life? How is g?d the “owner of the powers,” and can they be rented? And how many movie and musical theater references can we make in an hour without really trying? Plus, listen to the end to hear a song of Eliana’s all about gratitude.
What is YOUR superpower?
Episode 11: Pool of Blessings (baruch atah yud-hey-vav-hey)
When we said we were going to dig deep into the Amidah, we meant it! In this week’s episode, Josh, Ellen, and Eliana explore/geek out over just three words- Baruch, Atah, and a four-letter name we can’t even pronounce. These three words begin the Amidah, appear at the end of every section of the Amidah, and begin every traditional blessing, and there is so much to explore, including (but not limited to): knees, curtain calls, praying to a “You,” Jewish numerology, and diving into the pool of blessing.
Episode 6: Lights & Miracles (Hanukkah Candles)
Happy Hanukkah! In this very special holiday episode, Eliana, Josh, and Ellen explore the ritual of Hanukkah candles: from the opening blessings, to the difference between a menorah and a chanukiah, to the many verses of Maoz Tzur. Plus, Josh shares his brand new melody for Hanerot Hallalu! We hope this adds some sparkle to your festival of lights.
Episode 5: Thanks-Giving (Modim Anachnu Lach)
It’s time for thanks-giving! Eliana, Ellen, and Josh explore the gratitude prayer of the Amidah, Modim Anachnu Lach. We nerd out on Jewish-people-monikers, intertext, and gematria (numerology,) plus share our favorite melodies and Thanksgiving traditions. What a great excuse for gratitude!
Episode 4: Gratitude Glasses (Modeh/Modah Ani)
This week, Eliana, Ellen, and Josh wake up in gratitude by diving deep into Modeh/Modah Ani. We talk morning rituals, translations, g?d names, favorite melodies, and more.
Episode 3: To Evening the Evenings (Ma'ariv Aravim) with Alexander Nemser
Eliana, Ellen, and Josh are joined by poet and educator Alexander Nemser for a deep dive into Ma'ariv Aravim, the first blessing in the evening service. We talk sheep, stars, translations, and time, plus learn about Alexander's prayer journey and hear some beautiful original poetry. It's a conversation as multifaceted and vast as the twilight sky...
Episode 2: We are the Luminaries (Or Chadash)
To celebrate the launch of the light lab, Eliana, Ellen, and Josh dive deep into the prayer "Or Chadash," a new light. We explore the different kinds of light, light-centered g?d-names, and our favorite melodies for this prayer. Plus Eliana sings and shares her song, "A New Light." We hope this is an en-light-tening episode!
Episode 1: Prayer vs Prayers (T'fillah)
In this first episode, we start with the foundational questions:
What is prayer? What is liturgy? Why does this matter? And why does this matter to us?