This is the main library of all podcasts published by the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. All podcasts belong to separate channels, as well.
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Metzora 5784: Transforming Curses into Blessings
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Can we uncover hidden blessings, even from within painful experiences? Join us this week as we delve into the profound purification rituals surrounding the mysterious affliction of tzara'at (often translated as "leprosy") in the weekly Torah portion of Metzora.In a riveting discussion, Rabbi Jon Leener challenges the conventional view of this condi…
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Tazria 5784: Reimagining Ritual Purity
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How do we navigate the tension between devotion to mitzvot and the pursuit of understanding their significance in our lives?In this week's parsha, we explore the seemingly archaic ritual purity laws. Rabbi Michael Hattin joins the discussion to highlight how these laws, though initially perplexing, offer profound insights into human behavior and et…
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Shemini 5784: Going Beyond Our Mistakes
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In this week’s episode, we navigate the complexities of failure and growth in the aftermath of pivotal moments in the Tanakh.Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy draws a parallel between the incidents of the Golden Calf and the death of Aaron’s sons, both occurring at crucial moments meant to elevate the spiritual consciousness of the Jewish people. Delvi…
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Tzav 5784: Kindling the Spirit
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Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash joins us this week for an investigation of the eternal flame that burned upon the altar.Contemplating the balance between the passion of the burning fire and the steadfastness of its daily lighting, Zvi and Nechama ask how we may infuse our own religious practices with both regularity and inspiration. As we discuss t…
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Vayikra/Purim 5784: For God or King?
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Join Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield this week as he delves deep into the rich theological tapestry of Purim alongside Rafael Polisuk. Together, they explore the intricate messages woven into the fabric of the holiday and the profound challenges encountered by the Jewish people of that era.Unraveling the layers of history and tradition, they ponder the intri…
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Pekudei 5784: Constructing Connection
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In what way does the Mishkan (Tabernacle) serve as a metaphor for organizing one's relationship with God, oneself, and others?This week, we're joined by Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman for a discussion of the meticulous detailing of the construction of the Mishkan and its role in serving as both a physical structure for God's presence and a metaphor for t…
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Vayakhel 5784: Gathering With Intention
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What is it that makes us join together with different groups?Over the past two parshiot, we've seen two gatherings, one in which the people gathered to create the Golden Calf, and another in which they gathered to build the Mishkan. In both stories, the people give willingly and generously in order to build something together. How can these two sto…
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Ki Tisa 5784: The Inevitable Collapse
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Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash joins us to share her take on this week's parsha, and the infamous story of the Golden Calf. We'll discuss how this event can serve as an example of the inevitable moments of collapse and the repair that follows in all relationships. Our conversation will turn to the societal relationship within Israel, and the divid…
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Tetzave 5784: The Biblical Fashion Show
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Do the clothes we wear define us?Rabbi Daniel Reifman joins our host Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield this week for a discussion on the priestly vestments as described in this week's parsha in precise detail. Does the Torah teach us to create such an intricate and beautiful garb solely to create the right atmosphere for religious service, or is it that a spec…
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Terumah 5784: God Everywhere, Yet Somewhere?
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Can we find value in tangible expressions or experiences of spirituality, even if they challenge our rational view of the world?Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris joins us this week to explore the challenges raised by the commandment to build a portable temple (the Mishkan) to serve as God's house in the desert. How are we able to reconcile the ide…
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Mishpatim 5784: Toward a Healthy Society
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This week's parsha is primarily concerned with laws meant to order and structure our interactions and society, including a prohibition against cursing judges and the king. In light of this prohibition, Sefi Kraut, Pardes Director of Mahloket Matters, asks us to consider what we can and should do when we believe that the institutions meant to defend…
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Yitro 5783: Thinking Outside Ourselves
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What is our responsibility to the rest of the world, and how might that impact the image that we want to project to humanity at large?Tovah Leah Nachmani joins us in the studio this week to discuss Yitro, an outsider whose story appears alongside the covenantal moment of receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. How does Yitro, and by contrast Amalek, offe…
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If terrorists demand the release of other terrorists in order to free hostages, is this a case of pidyon shvuyim? Perhaps this scenario should be considered under a different legal rubric?Credits: Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper - Pardes FacultyDoor Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
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The Jewish Heroism Project Ep. 1 – Tov: The Gate – Quest for the Good
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Discover the 26 Paths of Jewish Heroism and what it means to be a hero in Rav Mike’s newest podcast series, The Jewish Heroism Project.There are good things worth fighting for. But what is good? The first class of the Jewish Heroism Project introduces the Torah’s definition of heroism as mesirut nefesh l’man tov, going beyond limited self for the s…
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Beshalach 5784: Choosing Faith
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Dive on in as Yiscah Smith joins Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield to discuss the story of the Red Sea, reminding us that we had to first jump into the water before it would split.Can we view faith as a concious choice, rather than a reaction? If so, how can we find the strength and resilience to make this choice and hold to our faith when facing immense diffi…
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Bo 5784: Building a Shared Future
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On the cusp of leaving Egypt, the children of Israel are told that they must remember the Exodus. For over 2,000 years, this commandment to remember the past has helped the Jewish people remain connected to their history as a people. Yet, is that enough for us to remain united as well?In this week's episode, Rafael Polisuk joins Rabbi Zvi Hirschfie…
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Va’era 5784: Cultivating Hope, Awaiting Salvation
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How may we be redeemed when we feel as if our spirits have been crushed?Rabbi Leon Morris joins us this week to discuss the idea of kotzer ruach, a crushed soul, and how Moshe faced resistance from those who could not believe that redemption was at hand. Bringing modern relevance to the redemption story, we'll unpack what it means to be kotzer ruac…
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Shemot 5784: Moshe’s Moral Development
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This week, we begin the book of Shemot and are introduced to Moshe. Yet, by the time Moshe takes up the mantle of leadership, he’s already in his later years, and his developmental years are practically skipped over.Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy joins us this week to examine those developmental years with three stories; Moshe’s smiting of the Egypt…
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In this episode, we recap remarkable the story of the 1970 Dawson’s Field hijackings and explore the reactions of American rabbis. Credits: Rabbi Levi Cooper - Pardes FacultyDoor Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
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Vayehi 5784: An Inherited Meritocracy?
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When thinking of traditional inheritance, we often think of the firstborn as being the main heir, and in many ways the Torah confirms this, yet throughout the book of Bereishit we see the script being flipped, with the younger sibling receiving the greater blessing. The final example of this appears at Ya'akov's deathbed, where he blesses his desce…
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Israel requested that the International Committee of the Red Cross visits our brothers and sisters who are held hostage in Gaza. Do we have precedents in the annals of Jewish history for visiting captives?Credits: Rabbi Levi Cooper - Pardes FacultyDoor Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
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Vayigash 5784: Overcoming Pain as a Family
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Can the pains of the past be overcome, opening the way for relationships to heal and be redefined?In this week's parsha, we witness the emotional reunion between the sons of Israel, with Yosef revealing himself to the brothers who had once thrown him into a pit and, ignoring his pain and pleas, sold him into slavery. Rabba Shani Gross joined our ho…
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Was there ever a time that our people left a hostage in captivity? For this episode, we travel to 13th century Germany.Credits: Rabbi Levi Cooper - Pardes FacultyDoor Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
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Miketz 5784: Being Seen for Who We Are
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What might Yosef's story, so full of pain yet hope, teach us about maintaining our own faith during difficult times?During these challenging times, many feel themselves torn between a desire to stand firmly in their Jewish identities and values and the feeling that they must hide their identity. In this week's parsha discussion, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfie…
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Vayeshev 5784: Growth and Responsibility
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What can the mitzvah of yibum, Levirate marriage, teach us about making difficult decisions and personal growth?In this week's episode of Pardes from Jerusalem, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman unpack the complicated family dynamics of Yehudah, his sons, and his daughter-in-law, Tamar. As the only mitzvah in the Torah that allows …
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How did the 16th century Cairo Jewish community react to kidnap situations? And how did rabbinic leaders explain the community’s conduct?Credits: Rabbi Levi Cooper - Pardes FacultyDoor Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
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Vayishlach 5784: Faith in Humanity vs. Survival
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What can a fraught meeting between brothers teach us about our own instincts?The events of October 7 shattered the worldview for many of us, and can cause us to approach how we understand the Torah differently. In this week’s episode, Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield unpack the emotionally charged reunion between Ya’akov an…
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Vayetze 5784: Moving Forward Through Darkness
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What might Ya'akov’s nocturnal revelation teach us about how to approach darkness?As we continue to pray for the safe return of the hostages and yearn for better days ahead, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy delve into what tools this week’s parsha might give us for getting through these difficult days. Together, they will exp…
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Should we be willing to pay any price to secure the release of captives? Surely, paying overpriced ransoms incentivises terrorists?Credits: Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper - Pardes FacultyDoor Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
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Toldot 5784: The Challenge of Chosenness
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The book of Bereishit, filled with the themes of covenant and birthright, tells the story of the progenitors of the Jewish people. Among the many characters we meet in the book are pairs of siblings of which one gets chosen as the inheritor of the covenant, while the other is subject to a different fate. Why was it that these forefathers were force…
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The Maggid of Melbourne opens this series with a look at the centrality of securing the release of hostages. Why is this considered such an important mitzvah?Credits: Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper - Pardes FacultyDoor Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
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Chaye Sarah 5784: Ensuring the Future
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What does the Torah teach us about encountering grief?As we mourn the tragedies of October 7, Ilana Gleicher-Bloom and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield explore Avraham and Yitzchak's response to the passing of Sarah. How does Avraham mourn for his wife, and why is it that he does not interact with his own son in such a vital moment? Meanwhile, Yitzchak looks …
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Vayera 5784: An Imminent and Transcendent Connection
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Do we allow our pursuit of spirituality to get in the way of true divine connection?In this week's episode of Pardes from Jerusalem, Yiscah Smith and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield discuss Parshat Vayera through the lens of human and divine connection. When the three strangers arrive at Avraham's tent, we find Avram in the midst of a deep spiritual moment, …
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Lech Lecha 5784: Avraham’s Global Family
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This episode is sponsored by Jeff and Alissa Hurok in honor of their dear friends and family who have engaged with and enhanced Jeff’s Torah study and have encouraged his participation with Pardes.Judy Klitsner joins us in the studio for a profound journey through the book of Bereishit and Parshat Lech Lecha, unraveling the intricate relationship b…
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Noach 5784: Passivity in the Face of Destruction
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Dedicated to the healing of those who were injured, to the memory of those who lost their lives, and with hopes and prayers for the rescue of all those who are being held hostage.Disclaimer: This episode was recorded before October 7 and touches on the themes of destruction and loss, good and evil, and how communities might react in times of crisis…
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On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during a time such as this? What guidance does the Torah have for us during such tough times?In the final episo…
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On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during a time such as this? What guidance does the Torah have for us during such tough times?In the second epis…
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On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during a time such as this? What guidance does the Torah have for us during such tough times?In the first episo…
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Bereishit 5784: Let’s Talk About Rain
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Dedicated to the healing of those who were injured, to the memory of those who lost their lives, and with hopes and prayers for the rescue of all those who are being held hostage.Including an opening message from Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris.In this week's episode of Pardes from Jerusalem, we begin the cycle anew with a return visit from Dire…
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VeZot HaBracha 5784: A Growing and Expanding Torah
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"Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom God singled out, face to face..."Rabbi Amirit Rosen joins Zvi in the studio to discuss the final words of the Torah, the last words of Moses to the Jewish people. Amirit teaches us how the Torah ends by reminding us of one of the darkest moments in the Exodus, that of the Golden Calf…
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Sukkot 5784: Unifying the Duality of Sukkot
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Rabbi Michael Hattin returns to the studio to explore the multifaceted holiday of Sukkot. From its dual nature balancing community and individual perspectives to its fusion of agricultural and historical significance, Sukkot seemingly weaves together separate messages. Join Michael and Zvi as they dissect this duality, searching for unifying themes…
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Yom Kippur 5784: Expanding Our Compassion
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In this week's episode, Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek calls into the studio to speak with our host, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield, about one of the most challenging days of the year, Yom Kippur, and the story of Yonah. Why would Yonah be so upset that his prophecies were heard? Was it that Yonah possibly lacked empathy and compassion for the people of Nineveh d…
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Rosh Hashana 5784: A Day of Caring Judgement
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This Rosh Hashana podcast is sponsored by Ricki and David Bernstein in memory of Ricki’s parents, Beatrice and Murray Kirschblat z"l, survivors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, respectively. Beatrice and Murray were each the sole survivors of large families which perished in the Shoah.What motivates us to make changes in our lives?Tovah Leah Nachmani j…
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Nitzavim-Vayelech 5783: A Covenantal Relationship
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Rabbi Michael Hattin returns to the studio to discuss this week's double-parsha, Nitzavim-Vayelech and how the Torah teaches us to live within the tension of accepting imperfections while striving to always improve ourselves.As the Children of Israel stand poised to enter the Land of Israel, the Covenant between them and God is reaffirmed, yet ther…
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Ki Tavo 5783: How Do I Tell Our Story?
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Zvi is joined this week by Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy, who shares with us her insights into connecting our personal story to the story of the Jewish people, and doing so can give us the gift of gratitude and generosity. The conversation also delves into the topic of how our physical connection to the land can serve as a doorway to a more powerfu…
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Episode 18: Eternal Light
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Where did the tradition of lighting a ner tamid (Eternal Light) in a synagogue begin? In this final episode of Exploring Sacred Spaces, the Maggid of Melbourne looks to the sources once again, this time in search of the history of the ner tamid. We'll discover some of the earliest mentions of the ner tamid, and explore some of the spiritual beliefs…
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Is it acceptable to place a dedication plaque in a sacred space? In today's episode, we go back to the Tanakh, learning about the building of the Temple, and other early sources as we examine this complex topic.Credits: Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper - Pardes FacultyDoor Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
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Sometimes when you walk into a Jewish home you are immediately confronted by a portion of the wall that is incomplete. Why is that? In today's episode the Maggid of Melbourne explores this tradition, discussing the reason for it, and whether or not a synagogue should also remain incomplete.Credits: Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper - Pardes Faculty…
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Episode 15: Structural Damage
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In the wake of the terrifying earthquake that struck Turkey, the Maggid of Melbourne dedicated this episode on structural damage to the people of Turkey.What do we do when there is a crack in the wall of a synagogue? We've already learned that we must treat the structure with proper sanctity and if one were to do damage, they are liable for the cos…
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Ki Tetze 5783: It Starts From Below
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In this week's episode, Zvi is joined by Yiscah Smith for a discussion of the mitzvah of "sending away the mother bird," and how the Talmudic rejection of finding reasons for the commandment became an invitation for Hasidic thinkers to explore even deeper. While we started with this example, our conversation broadened out to a wider on the topic of…
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