Michael Franco

Parashat Beshallah Class 2020: The Exodus and Building a New Identity

In this week's class, we read through portions from Parashat Beshallah, noticing the process of the Exodus, as well as the challenges that come along with building a new identity.

Parashat Bo Speech: Forever a Student

In this week's podcast, we discuss the idea of being a student. We continue by exploring the process of the exodus from Egypt and the symbolism of Hamess and Massah.

Parashat Vayhi: Closing off Genesis: Flashbacks and Success Stories

In this week's podcast, we study an interesting cluster of flashbacks from the beginning of Parashat Vayhi. We finish with the final triumphant words regarding Yoseph and we show how they are emblematic of the covenant in its fullness.

Parashat Vayyiggash: Joseph and the Art of Being Human

In this podcast, we ask the question: What does it mean to be human? We answer this question through an analysis of the timeless work Tuesdays with Morrie, as well as the moving story of Yoseph and his brothers.

Parashat Miqqes Class: Right There with You: How God Speaks with us Today

In this class, we show the incredible way that Joseph figured out how to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh and the implications for how we can notice God's communication with us in our very own lives.

Parashat Vayyesheb Class: Growing Character and a Tap on the Shoulder by the Almighty

In this week's class, we introduce the story of Joseph and point out the incredible structure of his life. We also delve into the struggles and triumphs of Judah.

Parashat Vayyishlah Class: The Man in the Arena

In this week's class, we read through the first half of the parasha, noticing the tremendous growth of Jacob, who must confront a part of himself in order to grow into a new person.

Parashat Vayyese Speech: The Right Question

In this podcast, we explain what it was that truly made Yaaqob an outstanding individual: he was not afraid to ask the difficult questions.

Parashat Vayyese Class: Confronting Yourself in Others

In this week's class, we show that Yaaqob's experience with Laban was truly an encounter with a part of his own psyche. We show a tremendous amount of intertexts between our Parasha and many other areas in tanak"h, including last week's parasha, Sefer Shemot, and Sefer Dibre Hayyamim, gleaning significant lessons.

Parashat Toledot Speech: No Such Thing as Failure

In this podcast, we show, through the life of Yaaqob, that there truly is no such thing as failure.