“Then Hizkiyahu sent to all Isra’el and Y’hudah, and wrote letters also to Efrayim and M’nasheh, summoning them to the house of YHWH in Yerushalayim, to keep the Pesach to YHWH the God of Isra’el.” 2 Chronicles 30:1 From our weekly bible class, we look at how converts have been handled at different times, and how King Hizkiyahu’s passover is a […]

“The Spirit of God fell on Sha’ul when he heard this; blazing furiously with anger…” Chapter 11 of 1Samuel gives us the positive side of having a king. Why was the first king of Israel still plowing his own field? And where did the people of Jabesh-Gilead come from when they were nearly wiped out […]

“Then Sh’mu’el took a flask of oil he had prepared and poured it on Sha’ul’s head.” We begin with talks about whether the prophets used astrology, and whether women should wear tzitzit, then we dive into 1 Samuel 10 where Shaul is anointed as leader and prophesies. Why was he anointed from a clay vessel […]

“He’s here, he’s right ahead of you. Hurry now, he just came into the city today, because the people are sacrificing today at the high place. ” Shaul, the first king of Israel meets up with the Prophet Samuel at an intriguing place. We discuss high places in Israel as we study 1 Samuel, chapter 8. […]

“Sh’mu’el was not pleased to hear them say, “Give us a king to judge us”; so he prayed to YHWH..” In part 6 of our Light of the Prophets: Samuel series, Israel worries about losing the leadership of Samuel and asks for a king. We examine this event and compare Samuel’s warning with the Torah’s instructions […]

“If it does, [YHWH] is responsible for this great tragedy; if not, we will know that it is not his oppression which has been over us, but that what has been happening to us has been only by chance.” Do things happen by chance? The Philistines test for evidence of God’s hand and successfully transport […]

In Part 2, we finish the discussion on counting the Omer, addressing the “day after the sabbath” and “firstfruits”; Yom Teruah and what it is for, Yom Hakippurim and “afflicting your soul” from “evening to evening”, Sukkot; what constitutes a sukkah, what are the four species, and why is it just the native-born who can […]

“These are the designated times of YHWH, the holy convocations you are to proclaim at their designated times.” We begin our study with a discussion on identity since the Feasts are for Israel. Do you have to be a native born Jew to keep the Feasts of YHWH? Do you have to live in Israel? Is […]

…the ark of the covenant of YHWH–Tzva’ot, who is present above the k’ruvim.” In part 4 of our Light of the Prophets: Samuel series, we discuss superstition, Ichabod, the Philistine god Dagon, as well as defeating the people but not their God, in 1 Samuel, Chapters 4-5.

We present an historic perspective to some awkward and controversial issues in this week’s torah portion, Ki Tetze (when you go out). Torah Portion Ki Tetze: Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 Questions and Topics in this Discussion What To Do With Female Captives Of War When A Man Has More Than One Wife What About Leviticus […]

“I was angry for a moment and hid my face from you; but with everlasting grace I will have compassion on you,” says YHWH your Redeemer.” The words of comfort continue in Isaiah 54, and we address the origin of the haftarah readings as well as who are the Samaritans. Haftarah Ki Tetze:  Isaiah 54:1-10 […]

We examine the structure of authority that God established for Israel in this week’s torah portion, Shoftim (judges). Torah Portion Shoftim: Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9 Questions and Topics in this Discussion What is a Shofet (Judge)? Can A King Of Israel Have Absolute Power? What Will It Be Like If/When There Is A King In […]

“Shake off the dust! Arise! Be enthroned, Yerushalayim! Loosen the chains on your neck, captive daughter of Tziyon!” Is it ok to question God?  Does asking questions of God mean you doubt Him? We look at these questions and hear the powerful promises of hope in this week’s Haftarah, Shoftim. Haftarah Shoftim:  Isaiah 51:12 – […]

This week’s torah portion, Re’eh (see) gives us instructions for identifying true prophets. Torah Portion Re’eh: Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17 Questions and Topics in this Discussion Types of Prophets & Prophecy Signs and Wonders Does the Prophet Elisha Give Instructions Contrary to Torah? Problems With Prophecy Prophecy’s Effect on Cannonization When Did Prophecy End? These […]

…and Samuel was lying down in the temple of YHWH, where the ark of God was. Then YHWH called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” At a time when the word of God was rare, a boy dedicated by his mother is established as a prophet. Jono and Yoel discuss Samuel’s first revelation of the God […]

“Listen carefully to me, and you will eat well, you will enjoy the fat of the land.” How did early Judaism understand the Messianic Era, and what developed throughout time in Jewish thought?  Haftarah Re’eh describes a day of lush abundance for the land and people who are faithful to YHWH. Haftarah Re’eh:  Isaiah 54:11 – […]

Profound thoughts and questions arise in this week’s torah portion, Eqev (because), as Yoel looks at the mentioning of placing the tablets of stone in the ark. Torah Portion Eqev: Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25 Questions and Topics in this Discussion The Ark Are We Ready For A Temple Again? Fearing and Loving God The Technicality […]

“YHWH says: “Where is your mother’s divorce document which I gave her when I divorced her? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? You were sold because of your sins; because of your crimes was your mother divorced.” Did YHWH forsake Israel?  Who is the suffering servant in Isaiah 50 and where […]

With a quick review of the command to not eat blood, Jono and Yoel continue in chapter 2 with the corrupt practices of the sons of Eli and how the priesthood was removed from this family. Mentioned in this Podcast Fat and Blood

In this week’s torah portion, Vaetchanan (and I pleaded), we examine the components of loyalty throughout this parashah. Torah Portion Vaetchanan: Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11 Questions and Topics in this Discussion Does God Actually Have a Form? The Point Where We Became a People Being in Covenant With Each Other, Not Just God How to […]

How does the book of Deuteronomy compare with Exodus? What is the most fundamental thing about this book? Can a covenant be adapted to a situation without adding to or taking away from the law? And finally, we look at the first five verses of the text which hint that the book may not have […]

“but those who hope in YHWH will renew their strength, they will soar aloft as with eagles’ wings; when they are running they won’t grow weary, when they are walking they won’t get tired.” Isaiah 40:31 We have all suffered loss in our lives.  Where was God when it happened?  In this week’s haftarah, Isaiah […]

As Jono and Yoel open the study of the book of Samuel, we learn more about ancient practices in Israel through the account of Samuel’s parents, Elkanah & Hannah, and Eli the High Priest.

In this week’s torah portion, Devarim (words), Israel’s leader, Moshe, delivers his final speech before his death.  Yoel addresses some technical issues surrounding this ancient document, as well as the governing of Israel. Torah Portion Devarim: Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22 Questions and Topics in this Discussion Torah Cycles Dating of the Book of Deuteronomy The […]