From our Weekly Bible Group, we begin this introduction to Deuteronomy with understanding its literary structure–that of an Ancient Near East vassal treaty; and more specifically, a Hittite treaty. Photo: Torah and jad – exhibits in Big Synagogue Museum, Wlodawa – Poland.

“Come now,” says YHWH, “let’s talk this over together.  Even if your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow; even if they are red as crimson, they will be like wool.”  We read from Sennacherib’s annals and the historic backdrop of the prophet Isaiah–the prophet of hope–as look at Isaiah chapter 1. […]

“For my people have committed two evils:  they have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, and dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water!” Haftarah Masai brings us Jeremiah’s first prophecy for Israel and appeal for her return. Haftarah Masai:  Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4; 4:1-2 Other Teachings Mentioned in this Podcast What is Emunah?

What do you do if you caused someone’s death, but it was an accident?  The Torah provides cities of refuge for those who commit manslaughter.  Yoel explains the function of these places for the double torah portion, Matot/Masai (tribes/stages).  Torah Portion Matot/Masai: Numbers 30:2-36:13 Other Teachings Mentioned In This Podcast Weekly Group Bible Class and Hebrew Lessons These […]

Jeremiah is dedicated by God to be a prophet in Haftarah Matot.  We will look at the historic context of his day, his predestination, and the visions of the almond branch and boiling pot. Haftarah Matot:  Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 Hebrew In Israel intro music: Çeçen Kizi by SeyyahEzek

In this week’s torah portion, Pinchas (Phinehas), Yoel addresses textual practices, priesthood, genealogy, and inheritance for women. Torah Portion Pinchas: Numbers 25:10-30:1 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: Scribal Practices:  The Broken Vav (ו) & Enlarged Nun (נ) in the text. Pinchas’ Eternal Priesthood Does Being Jewish Come From the Father’s Line or the Mother’s? Passing Authority […]

Is it possible to get worn out in the service of God?  Is it possible that Elijah misunderstood his mission?  Elijah runs away from Jezebel and wants to die after the spectacular events at Mt Carmel in this week’s haftarah Pinchas. Haftarah Pinchas:  1 Kings  18:46-19:21 Other Teachings Mentioned in This Podcast Eliyahu At Mt […]

This week’s torah portion, Balaq (Balak) contains the very first occurrence of the word Satan in the bible.  Listen as Yoel explains the history of the word and the character. Torah Portion Balaq: Numbers 22:2-25:9 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: Dualism Is Bil’am a Prophet or Sorcerer? Usage of the Word Satan Zoroastrianism Qumran Community and the […]

From Micah’s prophecy to Israel, Yoel examines Cultural influence/Cultural Imperialism, YHWH’s legal plea against Israel, as well as a critical and deadly mistake people make in trying to understand the bible in this week’s haftarah Balaq. Haftarah Balaq:  Micah 5:6-6:8 Other Teachings Mentioned in This Podcast What is Emunah? Hebrew In Israel intro music: Çeçen […]

This week’s torah portion, Chukat (regulation), gives us the strange command concerning the red heifer.  Listen as Yoel sheds some light from the ancient world on this regulation. Torah Portion Chuqat: Numbers 19:1 – 22:1 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: Midrashim About the Red Heifer What Does Chuqat Mean? What Disqualifies an Animal For This […]

“Now Yiftach, a brave soldier from Gil‘ad, was the son of a prostitute.” Judges 11:1 Who is Yiftach (Jephthah)?  Why was the name of another god on his lips and what are we to make of his shocking vow?  Yoel fleshes out his backstory from what the biblical text and ancient culture tell us about […]

In this week’s torah portion, Qorach (Korah), Yoel tackles a ramification of what happened in Korah’s rebellion . Torah Portion Qorach: Numbers 16:1 – 18:32 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: The Distortion of the Tithing System The Difference Between תְּרוּמָה – terumah (gift/offering) and מַעְשַׂר – Maaser (Tenth/Tithe) Modern Uses of Tithe Other Teachings […]

“When you saw that Nachash the king of the people of ‘Amon was attacking you, you said to me, “No, we want a king to rule over us” — when YHWH your God was your king.” The prophet Shmu’el (Samuel) gives a speech to the people at the end of his life as Shaul (Saul) is inaugurated […]

Our focus in this week’s torah portion, Shelach (send), is on the commands to set apart some of our bread dough for YHWH and to wear tzitzit, and the man who collected firewood on Shabbat. Torah Portion Shelach: Numbers 13:1 – 15:41 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: How Do We Keep the Challah Commandment Today? Tekhelet […]

“…she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them under some stalks of flax she had spread out there.” Haftarah Shelach give us the story of Rahab and the two spies to Jericho.  Yoel and Jono Vandor examine chapters 1-5 in this first episode from our Light Of The Prophets series. Haftarah Shelach: […]

“‘Not by might, and not by power, but by my Spirit,’ says YHWH-Tzva’ot.” Zechariah is shown Joshua the High Priest and his adversary, and a visual message for Zerubbabel in this week’s haftarah Beha’alotkha. Haftarah Beha’alotkha: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 Mentioned In This Podcast Adopting A New Identity Second Temple Period And Judaism Oral Torah Series part 2 […]

“Arise, YHWH!  May your enemies be scattered!  Let those who hate you flee before you!” In this week’s torah portion, Beha’alotkha (when you set up) Yoel discusses various aspects and uses of this intriguing passage. Tora Portion Beha’alotkha: Numbers 8:1 – 12:16 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: Reversed נ (nun) and Editorial Markings in Hebrew Manuscripts […]

In this week’s torah portion, Naso (take), Yoel addresses points about the law of those sent out of the camp, the sotah (woman suspected of adultery), and the Nazirite vow. Tora Portion Naso: Numbers 4:21-7:89 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: Should we send people out of the “camp” today? Head covering for women Defining adultery in the bible […]

“”For indeed you will conceive and bear a son. No razor is to touch his head, because the child will be a nazir for God from the womb.” The Nazirite vow, angels, the issue of cross-breeding and more are discussed in this episode from our Light Of The Prophets series. Haftarah Naso: Judges 13:2-25 Mentioned […]

“I will betroth you to me forever; yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, in justice, in grace and in compassion; I will betroth you to me in faithfulness, and you will know YHWH.” As a supplement to the previous recording, we more closely examine the text and message of Hoshea chapter 2, discussing […]

This week’s Torah portion, Bamidbar (in the wilderness), Yoel addresses several aspects of numbers in the bible. Torah Portion Bamidbar:  Numbers 1:1 – 4:20 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: Where Did the Name “Numbers” Come From? What is History’s Place in the Bible? The Usage of Numerals Gematria Tertullian’s Role in Leading Early Christians Away From Torah Keeping  אֶחָד […]

“Rebuke your mother, rebuke her; for she isn’t my wife, and I’m not her husband.” In Haftarah Bamidbar, the prophet Hoshea uses imagery of divorce, shaming and execution to convey YHWH’s message to Israel. Yoel and Jeff Gilbert discuss these images, and the redemption, in this episode (3) of our Hoshea series with Talking Torah. […]

Jeff and Yoel discuss the return to Eden; role and types of prophets, including Joel’s promise of sons and daughters prophesying, and holding the blessings and curses by faith and tangibility in this combined broadcast of parashat Bechukotai (By my regulations) and Hoshea chapter 11. Torah Portion Bechuqotai: Leviticus 26:3–27:34 Psalm 126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of […]

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceeding weak–who can know it?” Haftarah Bechuqotai presents song, prophecy, and widom writings all in one place. Also, we begin with an explanation of why torah readings and holiday observances are different in the diaspora than in the Land. Haftarah Bechuqotai: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 Mentioned In […]

This week’s first Torah portion, Behar (On mount), describes the Shemittah (sabbatical year) and the Yovel (Jubilee).  When, where and how are we to keep them? Torah Portion Behar:  Leviticus 25:1 – 26:2 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: When do you Keep Shemittah? The Book of Jubilees Should We Keep Shemittah Outside the Land? The Release […]