With the week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, as a guide, Rabbi Shira and Josh probe the Jewish take on lying — is it ever acceptable? And we are joined by Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who discusses his new book “Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy”.

Episode Timecodes:

(25:01) Mary McCormack defines Hebrew & Yiddish terms we mentioned

(28:02) Congressman Jamie Raskin Interview

(46:35) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

Show notes: 

1) Exodus 23:7
:מִדְּבַר שֶׁקֶר תִּרְחָק וְנָקִי וְצַדִּיק אַל תַּהֲרֹג כִּי לֹא אַצְדִּיק רָשָׁע
(7) Keep far from a false charge; do not bring death on those who are innocent and in the right, for I will not acquit the wrongdoer.

2) Politics and Prose Bookstore

3) Rabbi Hillel, Pirkei Avot 1:14: "If I am not for myself, who is for me?"

4) Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy, by Jamie Raskin, 2022.

5) Shepherd's Table

6) National Suicide Prevention Hotline

7) Dar Williams