In this thoughtful and accessible episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed explore one of the defining rhythms of Jewish life: the weekly Torah portion. What is the parsha, where did it come from, and why has it unified Jewish communities across centuries and continents? Pesach explains how the annual cycle of fifty four readings structures Jewish spiritual time, shapes synagogue life, and keeps the Five Books of Moses at the center of Jewish consciousness.

Along the way, the conversation touches on the Ten Commandments and their unique (yet not hierarchical) place within Jewish law, including the surprising history of why Jews once recited them daily and why that practice was discontinued. Pesach also reflects on how the Torah’s communal rhythm compares to Christian liturgical seasons like Christmas and Easter.

Before diving into Scripture, the two hosts briefly address the current U.S.–Iran negotiations under the Trump administration, offering a clear-eyed take on what is at stake for Israel and the region.

This is a rich blend of Bible, history, theology, and contemporary geopolitics — all told in the warm, candid “one Bible, two voices” style that defines Shoulder to Shoulder.