Fri, 15 May 2026 16:26:50 -0700 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2606993 en-us © 2026 An Atheist Reads the Torah yes 9ccbf444-91d1-5876-b5ea-6e9661c5b70b Joshua Berg episodic false Pastor Joshua Berg, an culturally Jewish, atheist, Unitarian Universalist minister reads the English text of the five books of Moses with some commentary.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Joshua Berg https://storage.buzzsprout.com/3j0cfpmh0z09hiwfa12qnp4t11md?.jpg Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Bamidbar) Pastor Joshua reads Numbers 1:1–4:20

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Numbers 1:1–4:20

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-19186240 Fri, 15 May 2026 16:00:00 -0700 1305 Bamidbar, Numbers, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 27 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Behar/Bechukotai) Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 25:1-26:2 and Leviticus 26:3-27:34, completing the book of Leviticus

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 25:1-26:2 and Leviticus 26:3-27:34, completing the book of Leviticus

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-19125389 Mon, 04 May 2026 18:00:00 -0700 1122 Behar, Bechukotai, Leviticus, Vayikra, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 26 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Emor) Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 21:1–24:23

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 21:1–24:23

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-19125384 Mon, 04 May 2026 18:00:00 -0700 1220 Emor, Leviticus, Vayikra, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 25 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Kedoshim) Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 19:1–20:27

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 19:1–20:27

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-19124275 Mon, 04 May 2026 15:00:00 -0700 853 Kedoshim, Vayikra, Leviticus, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 24 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Acharei Mot) Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 16:1–18:30

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 16:1–18:30

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-19124271 Mon, 04 May 2026 15:00:00 -0700 737 Acharei Mot, Leviticus, Vayikra, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 24 full true Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Metzora) Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 14:1–15:33

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 14:1–15:33

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-19124266 Mon, 04 May 2026 15:00:00 -0700 826 Metzora, Leviticus, Tazria, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 23 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Tazria) Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 12:1-13:59

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 12:1-13:59

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-19124261 Mon, 04 May 2026 15:00:00 -0700 807 Vayikra, Leviticus, Tazria, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 22 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Shemini) Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 9:1–11:47 which details he eight day of the inauguration of the Temple in which two of Aaron's sons die for breaking the rules of the Temple. It then talks more about Kashrut.  

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 9:1–11:47 which details he eight day of the inauguration of the Temple in which two of Aaron's sons die for breaking the rules of the Temple. It then talks more about Kashrut.  

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-18972679 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0700 958 Shemini, Leviticus, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 21 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Tzav) Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 6:1-8:36 which continues the laws of sacrifice in the Tabernacle.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Leviticus 6:1-8:36 which continues the laws of sacrifice in the Tabernacle.

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-18972587 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0700 799 Tzav, Leviticus, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 20 full true Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Vayikra) Pastor Joshua reads the first chapter of Leviticus mostly about the role of the priests in the Tabernacle and the laws around sacrifices.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads the first chapter of Leviticus mostly about the role of the priests in the Tabernacle and the laws around sacrifices.

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-18972574 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0700 1192 Vayikra, Exodus, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 19 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashot Vayakhel & Pekudei) Pastor Joshua reads, Exodus 35:1-40:38 which explains the creation and uses of the Tabernacle in detail.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads, Exodus 35:1-40:38 which explains the creation and uses of the Tabernacle in detail.

]]> Joshua Berg Buzzsprout-18972545 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0700 1719 Vayakhel, Exodus, Pekudei, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Torah 2 18 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Ki Tisa) Pastor Joshua reads Exodus 30:11-34:35.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Exodus 30:11-34:35.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18832685 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0700 1478 Move, Exodus 30:11-34:35, Exodus, Ki Tisa, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Bible, Torah 2 17 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Tetzaveh) Pastor Joshua reads Exodus Exodus 27:20-30:10.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Exodus Exodus 27:20-30:10.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18832470 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0700 1085 Move, Exodus 27:20-30:10, Exodus, Tetzaveh, Bible, Atheism, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism 2 16 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Terumah) Pastor Joshua reads Exodus 25:1-27:19, Parashat Terumah - very detailed instructions on how to build a Tabernacle to God. 

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Exodus 25:1-27:19, Parashat Terumah - very detailed instructions on how to build a Tabernacle to God. 

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18709989 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:00:00 -0800 779 Move, Torah, Terumah, Parashat Terumah, Tabernacle, Israelites, God, Exodus, Atheism, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Shemot 2 12 full true Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Mishpatim) Pastor Joshua reads Exodus 21:1-24:18, Parashat Mishpatim - detailing some truly extreme rules and laws.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Exodus 21:1-24:18, Parashat Mishpatim - detailing some truly extreme rules and laws.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18709986 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:00:00 -0800 1403 Move, mishpatim, Exodus, Pastor Joshua Berg, atheism, God, Torah, Bible, Unitarian Universalism 2 11 full true Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Yitro) Pastor Joshua reads Exodus 18:1-20:23 Parashat Yitro.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Exodus 18:1-20:23 Parashat Yitro.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18709975 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:00:00 -0800 779 Move, Yitro, Exodus, Judaism, Atheism, God, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism 2 10 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Beshalach) Pastor Joshua Reads Exodus 13:17 through 17:16

]]> Pastor Joshua Reads Exodus 13:17 through 17:16

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18615401 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:00:00 -0800 1145 Move, Pastor Joshua Berg, Parashah Beshalach, Torah, Tanakh, Bible, Atheism, Unitarian Universalism 2 9 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Bo) Pastor Joshua reads Exodus 10 through Exodus 13:16

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Exodus 10 through Exodus 13:16

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18615340 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:00:00 -0800 1182 Move, Pastor Joshua Berg, Parashah Bo, Tanakh, Bible, Torah, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism 2 8 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Va'era) Pastor Joshua read Exodus 6:2-9:35

]]> Pastor Joshua read Exodus 6:2-9:35

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18564157 Sat, 24 Jan 2026 16:00:00 -0800 1618 Move, Vayera, Vaera, Va'era, Exodus, Unitarian Universalism, atheism, Pastor Joshua Berbg 2 4 full true Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Shemot) Pastor Joshua reads the first parashat of the book of Exodus, Shemot
(Exodus 1:1 - 6:1)

]]> Pastor Joshua reads the first parashat of the book of Exodus, Shemot
(Exodus 1:1 - 6:1)

]]> Buzzsprout-18487145 Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0800 1269 Move, Shemot, Exodus, Unitarian Universalism, atheism, Pastor Joshua Berg 2 3 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Vayechi) Pastor Joshua read the final Parashat in Genesis, Vayechi, chapter 47:28-50:26

]]> Pastor Joshua read the final Parashat in Genesis, Vayechi, chapter 47:28-50:26

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18452562 Sun, 04 Jan 2026 18:00:00 -0800 832 Move, Vayechi, Unitarian Universalism, Torah, Atheism, Pastor Joshua Berg 1 30 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Vayigash) Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Vayigash, Genesis 44:18-47:27

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Vayigash, Genesis 44:18-47:27

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18452381 Sun, 04 Jan 2026 17:00:00 -0800 880 Move, Vayigash, Torah, Genesis, Pastor Joshua Berg, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism 1 29 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Miketz) Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Miketz, Genesis 41:1-44:17

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Miketz, Genesis 41:1-44:17

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18452371 Sun, 04 Jan 2026 17:00:00 -0800 1292 Move, Miketz, Unitarian Universalism, Atheism, Pastor Joshua Berg, Genesis, Torah 1 28 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Vayeshev) Pastor Joshua reads Vayeshev, Genesis 37:1–40:23

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Vayeshev, Genesis 37:1–40:23

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18359481 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0800 1163 Move, Vayeshev, Pastor Joshua Berg, bible, Torah, atheism 1 27 full true Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Vayishlach) Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18359283 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 13:00:00 -0800 1282 Move, Vayishlach, Torah, Pastor Joshua Berg, atheism 1 26 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Vayetze) Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Vayetze, Genesis 28:10-32:3, a convoluted incestuous story of Jacob, including the ladder to God, Jacob's wives, his children, and the trouble he has with his father-in-law, Laban.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Vayetze, Genesis 28:10-32:3, a convoluted incestuous story of Jacob, including the ladder to God, Jacob's wives, his children, and the trouble he has with his father-in-law, Laban.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18267275 Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0800 1528 Move, Veyetze, Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Laban, Bible, Pastor Joshua Berg, atheism 1 24 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Toldot) Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Toldot, Genesis 25:19-28:9, which begins the story of Isaac's family, including sons Jacob and Esau.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Toldot, Genesis 25:19-28:9, which begins the story of Isaac's family, including sons Jacob and Esau.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18263499 Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0800 901 Move, Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Toldot, Bible, Torah, Atheism, Pastor Joshua Berg 1 23 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Chayei Sarah) Pastor Joshua reads Chayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1-25:18, about the death of Sarah and Abraham's purchase of the Cave of Machpelah as a burial plot. It then tells the story of Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, which results in Isaac marrying Rebekah. The Parashat concludes with Abraham marrying again, to Keturah, before his death and burial next to Sarah.  

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Chayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1-25:18, about the death of Sarah and Abraham's purchase of the Cave of Machpelah as a burial plot. It then tells the story of Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, which results in Isaac marrying Rebekah. The Parashat concludes with Abraham marrying again, to Keturah, before his death and burial next to Sarah.  

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18263480 Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0800 964 Move, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Chayei Sarah, Bible, Atheism, Genesis, Pastor Joshua Berg 1 22 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Vayera) Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Vayera (Genesis 18:1-22:24)

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Parashat Vayera (Genesis 18:1-22:24)

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18166454 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0800 1603 Move, Vayera, Bible, Torah, Pastor Joshua Berg, atheism, Unitarian Universalism 1 19 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Lech Lecha) Pastor Joshua reads Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1–17:27)

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1–17:27)

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18166446 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0800 1397 Move, Lech Lecha, bible, Torah, atheism, Unitarian Universalism, Pastor Joshua Berg 1 18 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Noach) Pastor Joshua reads and comments on the second Parashat in the book of Genesis chapters 6:9 - 11:32. It includes the stories of Noah's Arc and the Tower of Babel.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads and comments on the second Parashat in the book of Genesis chapters 6:9 - 11:32. It includes the stories of Noah's Arc and the Tower of Babel.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18059750 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:00:00 -0700 1529 Move, Noach, Noah, Tower of Babel, Genesis, atheism, bible, Torah 1 17 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Bereshit) Pastor Joshua starts the Torah from the beginning with Bereshit - "In the beginning." It is the book of Genesis, Chapters 1:1-6:8.

]]> Pastor Joshua starts the Torah from the beginning with Bereshit - "In the beginning." It is the book of Genesis, Chapters 1:1-6:8.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18053846 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0700 2102 Move, Bereshit, Genesis, Bible, Pastor Joshua Berg, atheism, creation, God 1 16 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Ha'azinu and V'zot HaBerachah) The final Parahot before the reading of the Torah starts again are Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-52) and V'Zot HaBerachah (Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12). They end the Pentatuch with God calling the people of Israel foolish ingrates and  threatening them with punishment if they don't follow his commandments and revere him alone. God also tells Moses that he will not be entering into the chosen land with the Israelites.

]]> The final Parahot before the reading of the Torah starts again are Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-52) and V'Zot HaBerachah (Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12). They end the Pentatuch with God calling the people of Israel foolish ingrates and  threatening them with punishment if they don't follow his commandments and revere him alone. God also tells Moses that he will not be entering into the chosen land with the Israelites.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-18003786 Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0700 1223 Move, Haazinu, Ha'azinu, V'zot HaBerachah, Torah, Atheism, Pastor Joshua 1 14 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Vayelech) Joshua reads Vayelech (Deuteronomy 31) the penultimate speech of Moses to the Israeli's before he reads the Second Poem of Moses (Ha'azinu) which will lay out all the curses God will inflict upon the Israelites if they don't obey him.

]]> Joshua reads Vayelech (Deuteronomy 31) the penultimate speech of Moses to the Israeli's before he reads the Second Poem of Moses (Ha'azinu) which will lay out all the curses God will inflict upon the Israelites if they don't obey him.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-17928421 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:00:00 -0700 912 Move, Vayelech, Deuteronomy, Moses, Israel, Judaism, Atheism, God 1 12 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Nitzavim) Pastor Joshua reads Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20), one of the final speeches Moses gives to the Israelites preparing them to hear the curses that will befall them if they don't follow God's commandments.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20), one of the final speeches Moses gives to the Israelites preparing them to hear the curses that will befall them if they don't follow God's commandments.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-17928321 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:00:00 -0700 1047 Move, Nitzavim, Deuteronomy, Moses, Israel, Judaism, Atheism, God 1 11 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Ki-Tavo) Pastor Joshua reads Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8 about curses if the Israelites should not submit to God's authority and obey God's commandments and the blessings if they do.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8 about curses if the Israelites should not submit to God's authority and obey God's commandments and the blessings if they do.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-17875621 Fri, 19 Sep 2025 23:00:00 -0700 1939 Move, Ki-Tavo, Torah, atheism, God's blessings, God's curses 1 10 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Ki-Teitzei) Pastor Joshua reads Deuteronomy (Devarim) 21:10 - 25:19 in which much is laid out about rules/commandments including a number of reasons for stoning people to death to rid the Israelites of evil.

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Deuteronomy (Devarim) 21:10 - 25:19 in which much is laid out about rules/commandments including a number of reasons for stoning people to death to rid the Israelites of evil.

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-17809552 Mon, 08 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0700 2037 Move, Ki-Teitzei, Torah, Atheism, Unitarian Universalism, God, Deuteronomy, Devarim, Stoning to Death 1 9 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Shoftim) Pastor Joshua reads Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9. 

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9. 

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-17760731 Sat, 30 Aug 2025 17:00:00 -0700 2690 Move, Torah, Eikav, Parashat Shoftim, Moses, Israel, Israelites, God, Deuteronomy, Devarim, Atheism 1 7 full true Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Re-eh) Pastor Joshua reads Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17, Parashat re-eh (meaning "see").

]]> Pastor Joshua reads Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17, Parashat re-eh (meaning "see").

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-17733032 Mon, 25 Aug 2025 16:00:00 -0700 3911 Move, Torah, Parashat Re-eh, Moses, God, Pastor Joshua, atheist, atheism 1 6 full false Pastor Joshua Reads the Torah (Parashat Eikav) The Torah, also known as the Hebrew Scriptures, or the five books of Moses, is read annually in Jewish synagogues from cover to cover (or the equivalent of covers for a scroll). Pastor Joshua has decided to take this on, reading the Torah literally and interpreting it through his context as a culturally Jewish atheist Unitarian Universalist. A new parashat, or chapter, is read Ever Sabbath (Shabbat). The Torah portion for this week, August 16, 2025 is Parashat Eikav, which tells of Moses addressing the Israelites and emphasizing the importance of keeping God's commandments in preparation to enter the land of Israel. 

]]> The Torah, also known as the Hebrew Scriptures, or the five books of Moses, is read annually in Jewish synagogues from cover to cover (or the equivalent of covers for a scroll). Pastor Joshua has decided to take this on, reading the Torah literally and interpreting it through his context as a culturally Jewish atheist Unitarian Universalist. A new parashat, or chapter, is read Ever Sabbath (Shabbat). The Torah portion for this week, August 16, 2025 is Parashat Eikav, which tells of Moses addressing the Israelites and emphasizing the importance of keeping God's commandments in preparation to enter the land of Israel. 

]]> Joshua Lewis Berg Buzzsprout-17681105 Sat, 16 Aug 2025 15:00:00 -0700 2904 Move, Torah, Eikav, Parashat Eikav, Moses, Israel, Israelites, God, Deuteronomy, Devarim, Atheism 1 5 full false