Rav Joe's 929 Tanakh Podcast: Recent Episodes
Rabbi Joe Wolfson
This podcast releases a chapter a day minus Friday and Shabbat, according to the 929 Tankah schedule. This series originally started when Rabbi Joe, during his time at NYU, created one whatsapp group to share and teach Tankah daily. What started with one whatsapp group of mostly downtown New York students, expanded to three whatsapp groups of students and teachers of Tankah all over the world. This is the recreation of those audio clips in podcast form to share the Torah taught and learnt with everybody, and to keep it alive.
Influenced by the Izbizer, thinking how David (and us) can be the best version of ourselves Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.71
I consider how a phrase from the chapter inspired a 14th century Italian poet to compose a piyut (poem) that puts Maimonides' 13 principles of faith into poetic form and appears in all modern Jewish prayer books (as far as I know) Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.70
Melding the poetry of David HaMelech to the musical poetry of the modern day Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.69
Jon Muhlrad considers ch.66's suggestion that God listens only to our positive thoughts and not student to our negative ones.
Text here:www.sefaria.org/Psalms.66
Today I share thoughts on two of my favourite verses in ch.62 and 65.
Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.65
Thoughts on the chapter presented by Jonathan Muhlrad.
Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.64
אֱלֹהִים אֵלִי אַתָּה אֲשַׁחֲרֶךָּ צָמְאָה לְךָ נַפְשִׁי כָּמַהּ לְךָ בְשָׂרִי בְּאֶרֶץ־צִיָּה וְעָיֵף בְּלִי־מָיִם׃
God, You are my God; I search for You, my soul thirsts for You, my body yearns for You, as a parched and thirsty land that has no water.
:כֵּן בַּקֹּדֶשׁ חֲזִיתִךָ לִרְאוֹת עֻזְּךָ וּכְבוֹדֶךָ
I shall behold You in the sanctuary, and see Your might and glory.
First time presenter Rabbi Jessica Meyer will be sharing a powerful COVID era reflection on the famous ch.63. We had some technical issues with the specific recording that Jessica mentions but here is the famous recording of the Lubavitcher Rebbe singing the nigguin with his chasidim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il77SOQUlEU
Text here:
www.sefaria.org/Psalms.63
David, according to the midrash furious at the wrong done to him by Abner, looks forward to a time when he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked
Rabbi Dr Sam Lebens considers how we relate to sentiments of bloody vengeance such as in our chapter which offend both our own moral feelings as well as contradicting so much of the Torah's teachings.
Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.58
Text here:
www.sefaria.org/Psalms.56, www.sefaria.org/Psalms.57
No audio for ch.55 but a short written ideaby Rabbi Joe below: Says the author:וָאֹמַ֗ר מִֽי־יִתֶּן־לִּ֣י אֵ֭בֶר כַּיּוֹנָ֗ה אָע֥וּפָה וְאֶשְׁכֹּֽנָה׃I said, “O that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and find rest;
הִ֭נֵּה אַרְחִ֣יק נְדֹ֑ד אָלִ֖ין בַּמִּדְבָּ֣ר סֶֽלָה׃surely, I would flee far off; I would lodge in the wilderness;selah
Yonah, the dove represents not just peace as in Noach but the ability to easily depart whichever location one is in. It's a theme of many Neviim, Yirmiyahu and Eliyahu, to run away from it all - and perhaps most obviously Yonah himself whose name seems to reflect this.
Chs. 52-54 Three chapters each of which focus on critical moments in David's life as a fugitive.
Sam Lebens shares a bumper audio on chapter 53
www.sefaria.org/Psalms.53
52-54 Three chapters each of which focus on critical moments in David's life as a fugitive.
Rafi Addlestone will be sharing Torah on chapters 52 and 54 - chapters linked for a number of reasons, but not least their connection to iconic reggae beats which Rafi assumes everyone will know.
Text here:
www.sefaria.org/Psalms.52, www.sefaria.org/Psalms.54
אַ֭שְׁרֵי מַשְׂכִּ֣יל אֶל־דָּ֑ל בְּי֥וֹם רָ֝עָ֗ה יְֽמַלְּטֵ֥הוּ יְהוָֽה׃
Happy is he who is thoughtful of the wretched; in bad times may the LORD keep him from harm.
In my audio I consider just one verse in the chapter, and how it relates to one of the great luminaries who left the world this week, Rav Dovid Feinstein: אַ֭שְׁרֵי מַשְׂכִּ֣יל אֶל־דָּ֑ל בְּי֥וֹם רָ֝עָ֗ה יְֽמַלְּטֵ֥הוּ יְהוָֽה׃
Happy is he who is thoughtful of the wretched; in bad times may the LORD keep him from harm.
And if you don't have time to listen to the audio, then at least take on board this beautiful midrash:
אומר אשרי משכיל אל דל (תהלים מא ב), נותן לדל לא נאמר, אלא משכיל היאך ליתן לו שלא לביישו.
The verse does not say, happy is one who gives to the poor, but rather happy is one who considers the poor. Who considers how to give in a way that does not embarrass.
www.sefaria.org/Psalms.50, www.sefaria.org/Psalms.51
The intersection of many Biblical themes. Celebrating the eternity of a great city after a tremendous victory... yet sowing the seeds for future calamity.
Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.48
You'll quite possibly recognise this chapter from one of the most intense moments of the calendar - the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Hashana. Nations acknowledge as God arises and is made great to the sound of the shofar. Sharing her thoughts, on the beautiful insight of the chapter and of Rosh Hashana that the Jewish people have their own God but at the same time delight in sharing their God with the world. Honorable mention made too of The Crown! Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.47
An attack on Jerusalem, mountains melt, rivers flow, and universal peace is ushered in. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.46
This chapter concludes on a very different note than the previous:
אַזְכִּירָה שִׁמְךָ בְּכׇל־דֹּר וָדֹר עַל־כֵּן עַמִּים יְהוֹדוּךָ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד
Calev Ben Dor shares Torah on Ch.45 with a reflection on a midrash beloved of Rabbi Sacks. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.45
One which urges God to be as faithful to the covenant as Israel is, as Israel are killed for his name every day. The very next chapter concludes on a very different note:
אַזְכִּירָה שִׁמְךָ בְּכׇל־דֹּר וָדֹר עַל־כֵּן עַמִּים יְהוֹדוּךָ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד I commemorate your fame for all generations, so peoples will praise you forever and ever.I provide thoughts on Ch.44. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.44
Rabbi Sacks' Favourite Song and Epitaph
Many many times has the 929 corresponded eerily with other events happening. But I have not had one like this before.
In 1991, Dr Jonathan Sacks, then chief rabbi elect of the United Kingdom was the guest on a deeply beloved British radio show, Desert Island Disks, in which guests are asked to select the songs they would take with them to a desert island. One of Rabbi Sacks' choices was the famous niggun צמאה נפשי לאלהים my soul years for you, the living God which is taken from today's 929. These words come from Tehillim 63 but are pre-empted in today's chapter
When at the end of the interview, he was asked which one would he pick if he had to choose just one, he said, it would be צמאה נפשי - for he hopes that one day such a line would be his epitaph - that it could be said of him when he died that his soul yearned for God.
צָמְאָ֬ה נַפְשִׁ֨י ׀ לֵאלֹהִים֮ לְאֵ֪ל חָ֥י מָתַ֥י אָב֑וֹא וְ֝אֵרָאֶ֗ה פְּנֵ֣י אֱלֹהִֽים׃
my soul thirsts for God, the living God; O when will I come to appear before God
The whole interview of R Sacks' favourite songs can be listened to at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0093z8b
This is Berry Sacharov and Yonatan Razal's rendering of the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgxGVmYJ5pw
Ilana Stein shares her wisdom on both ch.42 and 43 which are considered by many to be a single unit. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.42, www.sefaria.org/Psalms.43
אַ֭שְׁרֵי מַשְׂכִּ֣יל אֶל־דָּ֑ל בְּי֥וֹם רָ֝עָ֗ה יְֽמַלְּטֵ֥הוּ יְהוָֽהHappy is he who is thoughtful of the wretched; in bad times may the LORD keep him from harm In my audio I consider just one verse in the chapter and how it relates to one of the great luminaries who left the world this week, Rav Dovid Feinstein (2020).
And if you don't have time to listen to the audio, then at least take on board this beautiful midrash:
אומר אשרי משכיל אל דל (תהלים מא ב), נותן לדל לא נאמר, אלא משכיל היאך ליתן לו שלא לביישו.
The verse does not say, happy is one who gives to the poor, but rather happy is one who considers the poor. Who considers how to give in a way that does not embarrass.
Text here:
www.sefaria.org/Psalms.41
As Rabbi Sacks is on the minds of so many of us , Tehillim 39 and 40, are eerily appropriate for thinking about him. The words that David said, could have been said by him.
וַיִּתֵּ֬ן בְּפִ֨י ׀ שִׁ֥יר חָדָשׁ֮ תְּהִלָּ֪ה לֵֽאלֹ֫הֵ֥ינוּ יִרְא֣וּ רַבִּ֣ים וְיִירָ֑אוּ וְ֝יִבְטְח֗וּ בַּיהוָֽה׃
He put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. May many see it and stand in awe, and trust in the LORD
I hope that my recording captures something of this moment. The tragic shortness of his life, combined with his astonishing achievement - Hevel. His ability to be both particular and universal - ger v'toshav. His letter in the scroll - megillat sefer katuv alai. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.39, www.sefaria.org/Psalms.40
Written in 2020: What a hard hard way to begin the week. I doubt there is anyone in the hundreds of people in our WhatsApp groups who has not encountered and been impacted by Rabbi Sacks' work.
We begin today with recordings from Jon Muhlrad and Sam Lebens on chapters 37 and 38. Both Sam and Jon were immeasurably by Rabbi Sacks and even though these were recorded before his passing, they serve as fitting tribute. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.38
Here are my thoughts on chs35 and 36, featuring one of my all time favourite verses כל עצמותי תאמרנה ה' מי כמוך
all of my limbs will declare, Hashem, who is like you. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.35, www.sefaria.org/Psalms.36
A chapter written by David at one of the most extreme moments in his life - as he pretended to be insane when he rang to seek shelter with the Philistine king Avimelech. Daniel Silverstein returns again with a powerful audio - beginning with a fast paced beautiful rap translation of his own of the chapter and continuing with insights ancient and modern into the chapter and the nature of what it means to desire life. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.34
Beautiful Torah from Rabbi Daniel Silverstein on Tehillim ch.33. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.33
Tehillim 30-32! Chapters describing the experience of being cast low but the potential for those dark circumstances to be turned around - בערב ילין בכי ולבקר רינה - in the night one lies down in tears, in the mornings one rises up in joy. Text here:
www.sefaria.org/Psalms.32
Samuel Lebens, shares thoughts on the nature of shadows, and the valley of the shadow of death. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.23
A whole range of emotions within three chapters, from the king who praises God for everything he has been given, to the immortal line of וְאָנֹכִי תוֹלַעַת וְלֹא־אִישׁ I am a worm and not a man. Plus in ch20 the best prooftext to the thesis I shared a few weeks back in Zachariah that the Torah loves donkeys but detests horsesאֵלֶּה בָרֶכֶב וְאֵלֶּה בַסּוּסִים וַאֲנַחְנוּ | בְּשֵׁם־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ נַזְכִּיר They [call] on chariots, they [call] on horses, but we call on the name of the LORD of our God. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.20, www.sefaria.org/Psalms.21, www.sefaria.org/Psalms.22
One of only 5 Tehillim which have the word Tefilla (prayer) in the titles. David a humble penitent or a self righteous individual? Ilana Stein helps us unpack a challenging mizmor giving us a sense of both the complexities and potential interpretations. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.17
God searches the world for one who is wise and seeks Him... Or, as Calev provocatively presents the Kotzker, could it be possible for a rationalist to search for God? Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.14
There is evil in the world, society is corrupt, how long must we wait? Rabbi Dr Sam Lebens considers the religious validity of complaining to God. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.13
There is evil in the world, society is corrupt, how long must we wait? I share some thoughts on ch.11 and 12 - two responses of God to a society of evil. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.11, www.sefaria.org/Psalms.12
The representation of God as Judge inspires Rafi to dedicate this chapter to Ruth Bader Ginsburg z"l via a little bit of mid-90s rap. Tehillim 9 and 10, argue Robert Addlestone and Rafi Alter should be treated as a single chapter, united by one acrostic. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.9
The intriguingly named Shigayon L'David in which David tries to make amends to Shaul. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.7
The rightly famous lines, expressing astonishment at God's choice of lowly man as partner in creation. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.8
I approach our chapter through perhaps the most famous of Talmudic stories, which warns us of what can happen when a person who has been wronged finally gets to pray. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.6
Ch.3 takes us back to a specific historical moment earlier on in the Tanakh - in this case David fleeing his son Avshalom after the latter had launched what appeared to be a successful rebellion. Rabbi Dr Sam Lebens ponders why fleeing from one's murderous son should be an opportunity for David to give praise rather than lament - and fittingly suggests a framework most relevant to this time of year. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.3
We focus on a comment of Rashi, critical to the whole enterpise of Talmud Torah. Text here: www.sefaria.org/Psalms.1, www.sefaria.org/Psalms.2
The end of navi, the beginning of ketuvim - the conclusion of Malachi and the start of Tehillim. I suggest that in the final verse of all of navi, the most memorable of all nevi'im has his teshuva moment. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Malachi.3
Malachi #2 in which the navi rails against both intermarriage and the hollow and superficial celebrations of festivals. My audio will focus on how I first came across this chapter, via a critical comment of Rambam. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Malachi.2
The end of Zecharia and the beginning of Malachi - with recordings by myself and Ilana Stein to follow. And then only one more chapter until we have finished all of Nevi'im - the 'N' of Tanakh. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.14
A short chapter in which the prophet foresees the end of all prophecy - something which will indeed occur in but a few short chapters. Calev Ben Dor, considers what this means and whether prophecy can in fact be continued in other ways through sages and... insanity? Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.13
Jonathan Muhlrad, with the help of Monica Sass, do their best to unpack the prophecy together with its relevance for this time of year. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.11
Ilana Stein, fresh back from appreciating God's world in Kruger, shares thoughts of Rav Amital z"l, on the beautiful verses of this chapter, the vision that despite the diminished status of Jerusalem's in Zekharia's day, nevertheless כֹּה אָמַר יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת עֹד יֵשְׁבוּ זְקֵנִים וּזְקֵנוֹת בִּרְחֹבוֹת יְרוּשָׁלָ͏ִם וְאִישׁ מִשְׁעַנְתּוֹ בְּיָדוֹ מֵרֹב יָמִים׃
Thus said the LORD of Hosts: There shall yet be old men and women in the squares of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. And the squares of the city shall be crowded with boys and girls playing in the squares.For anyone with even a minimal connection to Jewish history it's hard not to feel a tug on the heart when reading these verses - where for the vast majority of the last two thousand years these verses describe a longed for future, today they describe a reality. Text here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.8
Leeds is not frequently considered alongside Jerusalem. What does England's 3rd city of the North (after Manchester and Liverpool, only just ahead of Newcastle), have to say to that fairest of cities upon which the Divine presence dwells?And yet, this modest town whose football team survives only on memories of victories past, has produced not one but two outstanding 929 voices, sharp in their insights, wry in their humour, deep in their compassion. I speak of course of Rafi Addlestone and Harris Lorie who, like Yechezkel displaced from Israel to the exile on the river, sing beautiful Torah from that city on the Thames. They are our hosts today to guide us through the perplexing visions of Zechariah 6 and the religious ambiguities of Ch.7.
https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.7
Leeds is not frequently considered alongside Jerusalem. What does England's 3rd city of the North (after Manchester and Liverpool, only just ahead of Newcastle), have to say to that fairest of cities upon which the Divine presence dwells? And yet, this modest town whose football team survives only on memories of victories past, has produced not one but two outstanding 929 voices, sharp in their insights, wry in their humour, deep in their compassion. I speak of course of Rafi Addlestone and Harris Lorie who, like Yechezkel displaced from Israel to the exile on the river, sing beautiful Torah from that city on the Thames. They are our hosts today to guide us through the perplexing visions of Zechariah 6 and the religious ambiguities of Ch.7.
https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.6
Calev Ben Dor focuses on a wonderful Talmudic legend of banishing the evil inclination, based off of our chapter. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.5
Two characteristically excellent recordings from Calev Ben Dor - the first focusing on the verse _לא כי, לא החייל כי אם ברוחי - not through my strength, not through my might, but through my spirit_ and the reception of its apparently pacifistic message in modern Jewish history. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.4
The unforgettable image of Yehoshua The High Priest, surrounded by both the satan and the angel of God, as filthy garments are replaced with clean robes. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.3
Ilana Stein heroically returns with her Torah on the first two chapters. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.2
Ilana Stein heroically returns with her Torah on the first two chapters. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.1
Ilana Stein introduces the period and teaches both chapters of Hagai in her excellent audios. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Haggai.2
We've spent the last year in the generation of the destruction of the Temple: Yirmiyahu, Yechezkel, most of Trei Asar - warnings of what is to come. But now as Ilana Stein says in her audio, the future has happened. It's a new generation, and the final three prophets of Trei Asar - Hagai, Zechariah, Malachi, the last of the prophets - respond to the many challenges of that period. Ilana Stein introduces the period and teaches both chapters of Hagai in her excellent audios. https://www.sefaria.org/Haggai.1
Ch 2: In which the prophet addresses the nations around him later today. Like Havakkuk, a short, little-read but fascinating book of navi; in which that which happens to Jerusalem will happen to Nineveh too. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zephaniah.2
Today we are learning the book of Tzephania - a contemporary of Yirmiyahu in the decades immediately prior to the destruction of the 1st Temple. In my recording I introduce the book and the prophet and consider an intriguing suggestion of the Ibn Ezra as to who Tzephania is descended from. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zephaniah.1
Calev Ben Dor completes this fascinating little book, reflecting upon the profound effect that one verse in our chapter - צדיק באמונתו יחיה the righteous shall live through their faith - had upon Judaism, Christianity and world history. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Habakkuk.2, https://www.sefaria.org/Habakkuk.3
Havakuk - most of the time this prophet is only mentioned as names that parents are not going to give to children. But within these three chapters is one of the most piercing cries to God for justice in this cruel world. No critique of Israel, no castigations of foreign nations - just one man turning to God and asking why. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Habakkuk.1
Sefer Nahum-the non-identical twin of the book of Yonah - focused totally on the city of Nineveh but a book not of teshuva but of destruction. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Nahum.1
In the final chapter of the sefer the Navi laments the falsehood and violence around him yet
וַאֲנִי בַּיהֹוָה אֲצַפֶּה אוֹחִילָה לֵאלֹהֵי יִשְׁעִי יִשְׁמָעֵנִי אֱלֹהָי׃
"Yet I will look to the LORD, I will wait for the God who saves me, My God will hear me".
Audio sharing a beautiful idea of the great chassidic writer, the Sefat Emet, on this chapter. Text here:https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.7
Micah 5 & 6: Chapters that combine visions of future redemption with harsh criticism of a society which puts too much of an emphasis on ritual at the expense of what it is that is asked of us which is 'to perform justice, lovingkindness and to walk humbly with your God כי אם עשות משפט ואהבת חסד והצנע לכת עם אלוהיך (6:8.
Calev Ben Dor illuminates ch.6's argument against korbanot by considering the historical context of the influence of Assyrian culture on Yehuda at that time - 'where Assyria saw ritual as a divine need and law as a human need, Israel saw ritual as a human need and law as a divine need'. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.6
Micah 5 & 6: Chapters that combine visions of future redemption with harsh criticism of a society which puts too much of an emphasis on ritual at the expense of what it is that is asked of us which is 'to perform justice, lovingkindness and to walk humbly with your God כי אם עשות משפט ואהבת חסד והצנע לכת עם אלוהיך (6:8Audio from myself, focusing on Rav Amital's explanation of a curious phrase in ch.5. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.5
Rafi Addlestone reflects on his recent trip to Amsterdam, the musical Hamilton, and a verse from our chapter that lies at the heart of Western political thought.https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.4
It's hard to think of a more appropriate chapter for Tisha B'Av as the prophet warns the people of Jerusalem that reliance on the idea that 'God is in our midst' is a dangerous illusion - if they do not build a society worthy of His name, then Hashem has no interest in dwelling amongst them and will do nothing to protect his Temple.
Micha Chapters 1 and 2 - we meet a prophet who lives during the destruction of the northern kingdom yet gives prophecy over Jerusalem. Jonathan Muhlrad considers the theme of corruption in ch.2 as Micha's diagnosis of where Israel is going wrong. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.2
Micha Chapters 1 and 2 - we meet a prophet who lives during the destruction of the northern kingdom yet gives prophecy over Jerusalem. The recording on ch.1 gives the context and compares Micha's take on the churban with that of Yishayahu who lived at the same time. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.1
In today's audio I try to explain the lesson that God is teaching Yonah about the value of even partial teshuva and its resonance for Yom Kippur. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jonah.4
Ch 3 contains possibly the most successful words of prophecy ever- 5 words from Yonah's mouth and BOOM!, wicked Ninevans are penitents. In my audio today and tomorrow I'll be unpacking the argument between God and Yonah as to the quality of that repentance. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jonah.3
Ilana Stein considers Yonah in lockdown, the silence of the chapter compared to the intense action of the previous chapter, and brings insights to the chapter that she learned directly from Nechama Leibowitz z"l. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jonah.2
Yes, we have arrived at the book of Trei Asar that we all know and love. The prophet who runs away, is swallowed by a big fish, who grudingly gives prophecy to a gentile nation, and then to his horror is massively successful!Calev Ben Dor starts us on our Yonah journey - considering the context of when Yonah lived and the king he served, and concluding with suggesting a number of frames with which we can consider Yona, and how the message of the book connects to Yom Kippur, when the story is traditionally read. Most profoundly of all, I found, is the suggestion that the opposite of fleeing (what Yonah does) is to stand before God, understood as the embrace of uncertainty. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jonah.1
In a single day today we get to learn a whole book of Tanakh - the shortest book there is, Ovadya. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Obadiah.1.1?ven=Tanakh:_The_Holy_Scriptures,_published_by_JPS&vhe=Miqra_according_to_the_Masorah⟨=bi
Audio today from Calev Ben Dor considering that most intriguing of verses - that as God took Israel out of Egypt so did he take the Philistines from Kaphtor and Aram from Kir. Calev considers the implication that God is actively involved in the history of many nations, what this means for the concept of chosenness, and what impact this verse had on Martin Buber's Zionism.https://www.sefaria.org/Amos.9
In a showdown with the priest Amatzia, we receive valuable biographical information about who Amos is, even if we might be surprised by his claim that he is not a prophet - לא נביא ולא בן נביא. Aliza Libman Baronofsky thinks deeply about the various interpretations of Amos' profession and origins and what they might mean for how we can understand his role. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Amos.7
In Ch.4 the navi describes the many warnings and punishments that God has sent Israel - the line that repeats ולא שבתם עדי - you have not returned to me. Ch.5 gives us a dirge, a description of the day of the Lord and the lines which Martin Luther King would quote: "Let justice roll down like water, and righeousness like a mighty stream" Ilana Stein presents ch.5 and concludes with a reflection of how elephants in Africa have helped her understand the different translations of the verse ויגל כמים whether water wells up or rolls down - justice can appear buried, but with a change in actions, a society that appears to be dead can return to life. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Amos.5
Our chapter begins with the stark claim that Israel's should not understand God taking them out of Egypt as imparting a luxury of chosenness rather they should understand it to mean that they will be truly held accountable. In my recording today I ask the question of what yetziat mitzrayim meant for Amos and offer three deeply challenging perspectives our navi has on the significance of the exodus from egypt. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Amos.3
Delighted to welcome back Aliza Libman Baronofsky who describes how Amos's critique skilfully weaves references and allusions to the Torah's obligations of how to treat those who are unable to protect themselves - connecting well to my audio yesterday that the way the nevi'im give their critiques is to use the terms and references of Am Yisrael's history to show them that they are not living up to their mission. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Amos.2
In my audio today I try to give a sense of the themes of the book and how our chapter is illustrative of what separates Amos from Plato, prophecy from philosophy. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Amos.1
Audio exploring the connection between our chapter and Yizkor - what God can forgive the nations for and what He cannot. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Joel.4
Honored to have audio today from Rabbi Dr Shlomo Zukier who explores the many connections between our chapter (and Yoel as a whole) with the story of yetzitat mitzrayim with a particular focus on the plagues, many of which appear here in Yoel as well.
Shlomo, aside from being a great educator and a dear friend, has been writing some of the most interesting Jewish reflections on COVID. Following is a link to one of his articles (part of a series) as well as to his very active Facebook page for those who wish to follow him https://thelehrhaus.com/timely-thoughts/making-seder-out-of-the-zoom-seder-controversy. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Joel.3
An old and dear friend, and even former Tanakh chevruta, Harris Lorie, shares his thoughts on our chapter today with particular focus on the parallels and differences between Yoel's take on teshuva and that of Moshe's in Shemot after the golden calf. As Harris presents it, Yoel has a very original take on Hashem's attitude to repentance but not one that the Jewish tradition has really embraced. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Joel.2
A terrifying plague (of locusts), economic collapse and the demand for a spiritual response. Sound timely? Delighted to welcome Ariel Koschitzky, a long time follower but first time presenter for this group who provides an excellent introduction to the themes and structure of the sefer, probes the question of when Yoel lived, and powerfully explores the themes of the chapter - that every significant moment requires a spiritual response. I found particularly interesting, the insight that in contrast to Hoshea where sins are everywhere, in the case of Yoel no mention is made of Israel's guilt - but that does not mean that the moment lacks religious meaning. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Joel.1
The final chapter of Hoshea, and one of the most famous chapters in the Tanakh on the topic of teshuva (so much so that it is even the haftara of Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat inbetween Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur). Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.14
Audio follows on the loyalty of Yaakov, the disloyalty of Israel and the imagery of clouds in Tanakh. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.13
In ch.11 God's anger and resentment towards Israel is overwhelmed by his tenderness for them, while in ch.12 Hoshea turns his attention to the stories of Yaakov Avinu -an almost unique chapter for a navi to provide an interpretation to the stories of the Avot. Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.11
Calev Ben Dor uses our chapter as a glimpse into the geopolitical difficulties that the northern kingdom finds itself in. Samaria’s monarchy is vanishing Like foam upon water.
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.10
In my audio I attempt to explain why this chapter is illustrative of what makes nevi'im acharonim - the prophets of Hoshea's epoch - so unique compared to those who came before them. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.9
More metaphors of Israel aberrant politics: reaping the whirlwind and like a lonely desert ass. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.8
In today's audio I try to consider what this metaphor might mean - for the leadership of a people to be compared to the science of baking. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.7
Today we are honoured to receive another recording from the bard of London, Rafi Addlestone, as he reflects on Hoshea chapters 5 and 6, channeling John Legend and A.J. Heschel to unpack Hoshea's philosophy of divine love and the prophet's unique innovation of the concept of da'at elokim - not just knowledge of God, but empathy and identification. https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.5https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.6
The prophet directs his criticism at the people, suggesting that perhaps they should have protested against their leadership. The chapter culminates on a rather harsh note, "a people that is without sense must stumble." The recording today focuses on the first few verses, trying to understand the connection between environmental harm and the verse "Let no man rebuke, let no man protest!”. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.4
Ilana Stein shares Torah with us from a wintry Johanesburg with a powerful reading of the adjusted metaphor as portraying a relationship with God in the reality of exile. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.3
If yesterday's chapter contained some of the harshest verses of rebuke in the Tanakh, today's chapter has some of the most beautiful uplifting language of God's love for Israel וארשתיך לי לעולם. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.2
Written in last 929 cycle: "Yesterday, Shabbat morning, I woke up horrendously early – about 5:15AM. I made myself a coffee and read most of the previous day’s New York Times. A Shabbat luxury before the kids are up. And has there ever been a more important time to be connected to current events. I read the coverage and the editorials. At about 6:30 I began tefilla: the early parts - brachot and pesukei d’zimra –usually my favourite part of the prayers. Nishmat Kol Chai has few competitors for a passage that can make one feel spiritually alive. But after having read the Times cover to cover I felt choked, as if a whole lot of dust had settled inside me. I don’t pretend at all that every tefilla of mine is full of great kavana. But the words felt dead. Like eating cobwebs. This is not the usual critique of the Times. Their journalists are excellent. The reportage is deeply necessary. But reading it left me feeling low.
So I decided to take a break from tefilla and learn some Torah. This week in 929 – our daily study of Tanakh - we will be beginning the prophet Hoshea, so I thought it wise to get a head start. Hoshea was the first of the great literary prophets – nevi’im acharonim – who addressed the people rather than the leadership, holding up a mirror to Israelite society, forcing it to confront its hypocrisies, its injustices and infidelities. And yet at the same time as the most biting of criticisms filled with fury and anger, Hoshea’s words are full of love, tenderness, a desire to (re)turn to a better place.
I read through the first few chapters with the commentaries and then returned to tefilla. I was in a much better place and could daven (pray) as I wanted to with my mind and heart at least partly there.
Only later did I reflect on this a bit. Learning Torah always calms me and puts me in a better place. But Hoshea wasn’t just an escape from the ennui of the Times. It was a completely different way of doing something not completely different. Paul Krugman and Ben Shapiro look tame by comparison with the fire Hoshea aims at the society that has lost its way. But his coupling of the rebuke with soaring optimism and love doesn’t seem to have any modern correlate that I can see. The navi teaches that overwhelming anger doesn’t need to be divorced from enormous empathy. It doesn’t leave one dry and empty. It lifts one up. And lets one pray. "Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Hosea.1
Chs. 47- 48 describe a stream flowing from under the temple and the tribal vision of the land - but as I try to show in my recording these sections take us back to multiple other places in Tanakh, including even the Garden of Eden, and conclude with the renaming of Jerusalem. Truly one of the most powerfully optimistic moments in Jewish history. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.47
Sam Lebens provides a beautiful audio contrasting the prince to the king, contrasting the Tanakh's presentation with that of the midrash, suggesting an evolution in Jewish thought and urging us to consider the wonder not of Hashem's enormity, but of his smallness, able to access even the smallest of spaces with his glory. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.46
Rafi Addlestone catches us up with an emphasis on the importance of paying attention to the detail.
Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.45
Chs. 40-48 are pirkei hamikdash - the chapters devoted to Yechezkel's vision of a newly rebuilt temple. These are difficult chapters to learn - indeed the Rambam and Rashi struggled with them - but thankfully we have a hand to help. Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo introduces these chapters with a special focus on ch.42 and considers the idea of harmony - both in music and in religious architecture - as a lens through which to consider these chapters. https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.42
One of the most famous of all Biblical images - the valley of the bones. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.37
R. Dr Sam Lebens considers the question of what happens when teshuva does not precede God's kindnesses and how we should think of the problem of free will when God gives us things that perhaps we do not deserve - the inverse of the Pharoah's heart. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.36
"I'll try to give a sense of where we are in the structure of the sefer and describe Yehezkel's prescription for how leadership needs to look in the aftermath of the destruction" - Rabbi Joe Wolfson
Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.33
Here the metaphor is no longer tree but crocodile - mighty in the water but helpless on dry land. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.32
Considers the rise and fall of empires and explores the idea of Nevuchadnezar as God's agent in history. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.30
Text for these chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.27,
https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.28,
https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.29
Teases out the conundrum as to what actually happened to Tyre - involving some deep theologies along the way. Listeners who like Sam's audio will be excited to know that Oxford University Press are soon to be releasing Sam's work 'The Principles Of Judaism' - Offers the first comprehensive statement of the axioms of the Jewish faith in the vernacular of twenty-first-century analytic philosophy. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.26
With a little help from Quentin Tarantino and Samuel L. Jackson - uses our chapter to humbly consider God's psychology and whether the attempt to bring Israel to him is doomed to fail. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.25
Provides a moving reflection on the coupling of national catastrophe with personal tragedy as Yechezkel's plight echoes that of Aharon many years previous. Text for this chapter here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.24
Audio on how Yechezkel continues to invert metaphors! Text for this chapter here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.23
No longer ir hakodesh the holy city, but rather ir hadamim the city of blood. He confronts emotionally and honestly his pain at reading a chapter in which his beloved city of Jerusalem is described in such terrible language. His audio is highly worth listening to and perhaps gives us an insight into how difficult it was for the message of the prophets to be received - not because the audience was necessarily so wicked, but because the message was so harsh. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.22
The swords of destruction before arriving at JerusalemFocusing upon the milat mancha the repeated word, of ch.21 is cherev the sword and its role in Tanakh. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.21
Calev Ben Dor explains the inversion of metaphors as phrases which were applied to Israel's enemies are now given to Israel themselves. Finally Calev considers a mindbending verse in which Hashem appears to blame Himself for giving Israel bad laws. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.20
Rafi Addlestone - of previous 929 hiphop fame - channels the lion king to probe how two majestic images historically associated with Israel's grandeur, lion and vine, are inverted into a lament in Ezekiel's hands of the mighty falling. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.19
How can a prophet respond to the claim that 'we are being punished for the sins of our fathers?' - answer: the chapter of Tanakh most focused on the autonomy and responsibility of the individualindividual. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.18
A description of Israel's history from God's point of view, the foundling abandoned in filth, raised up to greatness, whose very success threatens to undo them.
Yael Shahar offers a moving and eloquent reflection on the poetics and politics of Yechezkel's vision of that history - the significance of the humble origins and the danger of arrogance that comes with abundance and success.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.16
Regarding Ch. 15: "only 8 verses - Describes the burning of Jerusalem as a vine is burned - it's good for nothing else. This was too depressing for me to record a piece on on Yom Ha'atzmaut, so I'll allow you all to read it in your own time. " - Rabbi Joe Wolfson
https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.15
In which the navi references three very different stories from very different parts of the Tanakh: Noach, Daniel and Iyov
On 929 see: https://www.929.org.il/lang/en/author/47374/post/73727
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.14
The prophet returns from his tour of Jerusalem to Bavel and performs 'acts of provocative prophetic street theatre' to his audience, showing what will happen to Jerusalem 5 years hence. Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo returns considering the question of who is blind, the meaning of Yechezkel's theatre, suggesting, among other things, a disagreement between Yechezkel and Yirmiyahu as to where the future lies. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.12
Jonathan Muhlrad considers our chapter in the context of Yom HaShoah and an intriguing parallel between our chapter and the story of Korach. https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.11
Continue the vision began in the previous chapters as Yechezkel 'visits' Jerusalem, to see the horrendous destruction afflicting the city in which the divine death squad shows no mercyCalev Ben Dor provides us with excellent audio on both chapters noting how the text is a subversion of both exodus from Egypt and the ending of Yonah. Despite the darkness of the text, Calev shares with us a midrash on the chapter that is arguably better known than the chapter itself - 'God goes into exile with the Jewish people - although he is the agent of the destruction, he is also its victim'https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.9
A scene of abominations in the Temple just years before its destruction, a deep insight into the theme of idolatry in Yechezkel (as opposed to his predecessors), and an intriguing connection between our chapter and the afikoman. Aliza Libman Baronofsky travels with Yechezkel in his vision to Yerushalayim https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.8
The prophets hair becomes the source for symbolic actions. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.5
A mighty strange chapter where the prophet is to embody himself the sins of Israel and Yehuda. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.3
https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.4
Today we begin one of the greatest of the prophets - Yehezkel. Yehezkel, the prophet of the the exile who receives his call to prophecy in Babylon far from the holy land, yet his mind and imagination are up in the heavens! Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.1
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.39, https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.40
Audio from Ilana Stein in Jo'burg surrounded by tweeting birds. Alongside a compelling read of the chapter, Ilana compares the psychology in South Africa re coronavirus to that of the Jerusalemites in our chapter, watching the ravaging of the area around them by the Babylonians, but saying 'perhaps it won't come to us'.https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.37
An incendiary chapter in which Yirmyahu writes his prophecy on a scroll to be presented to Yehoyakim and other nobility. The scroll is burnt, but is then rewritten!
An outstanding audio from Rabbi Dr Sam Lebens, dear friend and teacher of philosophy at University of Haifa. In his brief audio he manages to compare prophecy to a free media, introduce us to open theology and Gersonides, guide us through the exciting narrative of the chapter and present an elegant parallel and difference to Moshe's two tablets - of last week's parsha fame -with Yirmiyahu's two scrolls. We'll be hearing more from Sam on Yirmiyahu - and if you just can't wait, Sam also writes a weekly dvar torah at www.samlebens.com/blog - you should read and subscribe!
https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.36
We jump back in time to the reign of Yehoyakim and the navi's interaction with a teetotaling group known as Rechabites who have a message to teach us. Text for this chapter here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.35
Two messages from the prophet to king tzidkiyahu - and a disturbing picture of Jewish slavery in Jerusalem of the 580s. Ilana Stein provides us with another insightful audio with the aid of Rav Benny Lau. Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.34
In the audio I take perhaps the most famous verses of this chapter and consider the Jewish tradition's prioritsation of the positive over the negative, a point which perhaps might provide some solace to us in these difficult weeks. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.33
On the eve of the destruction of Jerusalem, God tells Yirmiyahu to buy property (do not necessarily take this as investment advice for the current period we are in!) Calev Ben Dor gives a beautiful reflection on the moment of exile being the moment of greatest intimacy and what it means to read today's chapter in contemporary Jerusalem. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.32
Yirmiyahu 31 contains some of the most famous and beautiful of all the verses in the book as a voice is heard on the heights of Rachel lamenting for her children. Yael Shahar returns with another beautiful audio. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.31
It's the fourth year of the reign of Tzidkiyahu and Yirmiyahu has been prophesying for 30 years now. But now he faces a rival - Chanania a false yet compelling prophet providing an alternative narrative to Yirmiyahu's one and tells the people that they can defeat Bavel, that the exiles will return and Israel will remain in the land. He breaks the yoke that Yirmiyahu has taken to wearing around his neckText for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.28
A message given more than a decade letter speaking of God's mastery over the world and of His ability to give the world to whom he wishes, in this case, of 'Nevuchadnezar my servant' (mind blown!)Calev links Yirmiyahu up to the very first Rashi on the Torah - that behaviour is more important to God than ethnicity. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.27
A message given around 609 - in the Temple Courtyard prophesying that the Temple will be destroyed if people assume that it gives automatic protection - for giving this message, Yirmiyahu barely escapes with his life.I talk of Yirmiyahu's consistent message of not relying on the Temple to assume that God will always protect us. https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.26
We feature ch.23 as part of our recording for ch.25 given certain shared themes. In my audio I consider the amazing metaphor of the wine cup of wrath that God gives Israel to send to the nations and the significance of the number 70. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.23, https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.25
Aliza Libman Baranofsky returns with another excellent teaching on the myriad allusions between our chapter and other stories of Israel's exiles and redemptions throughout Biblical history. It's a treat! Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.24
Calev Ben Dor teaches us the chapter explaining the complicated chronological background to the chapter and the geopolitical difficulties the kings of Yehuda find themselves in. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.22
Audio today from Rafi Addlestone who expertly sets the historical context and presents our chapter as a reversal of the redemption from Egypt. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.21
The prophet imprisoned for his rebukes but bursts forth once freed with even more anger. But even though this is how he feels on the outside, on the inside he wishes he could just be a normal guy. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.20
The symbolic acts continue as the prophet gives a public demonstration smashing an earthenware bottle in the valley of Hinom, a place darkly associated with human sacrifice and the origin of the Jewish word for hell (Geihinom). Audio today from Aliza Libman Baronofsky once again providing insights to the symbolism of Yirmiyahu's acts as they build on yesterday's introduction to the potter metaphor and considering the relevance for our own sense of mortality.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.19
Harris Lorie shares deep thoughts about the nature of the potter metaphor, its significance on Yom Kippur, and how a seemingly passive relationship can also become an active one. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.18
Among other messages, Yirmiyahu focuses on Shabbat as the potential for the redemption of Yerushalayim but warns that if Shabbat is ignored the city will perish. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.17
Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo provides with a perfect audio, comparing Yirmiyahu's childlessness with other prophets in Tanakh and considering how Yirmiyahu is being asked to identify with God who is bereft of His own children in the land. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.16
An incredibly moving chapter in which the prophet, after delivering a particularly harsh message, breaks down as he laments the loneliness of his mission. In the audio today I try to draw out the personal side of Yirmiyahu as he is caught between the love of God's word within him on the one hand, with the pain of what it entails to be the transmitter of those words. I also had half a chiddush which I forgot to share in the recording. Hashem references Moshe and Shmuel at the beginning of the chapter, saying that even if those two great prophets were to arise at this time, even they would not be able to bring God back to Israel. Although the reason for them being referenced together at the beginning of the chapter is that they are two prophets who had previously succeeded at bringing God back to Israel after the people had strayed, by the end of the chapter a different connection emerges between the two of them. Both Moshe and Shmuel are prophets who had struggled with their mission wishing that they did not have to do what God was asking of them - the same state that Yirmiyahu finds himself in now. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.15
We will try to explore the puzzle of this chapter as one which presents Israel as trying to repent but God as rejecting it. Hint: the clue lies in the middle of the chapter. Text for thsi chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.14
Aliza Libman Baronofsky provides us with an excellent audio unpacking both the symbolic meanings and historical resonances of the chapter with help from the commentary of the Malbim as well as providing her own interpretation. Text for this chapter in Hebrew and English can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.13
Audio from Calev Ben Dor on both chapters focusing on Yirmiyahu's unique qualities as a prophet.
Text in English and Hebrew can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.11, https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.12
The audio for the day is going to be on two sides of Yirmiyahu's character, captured in chapters 8 and 9.
Text here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.8
The first recording is going to focus on ch.7 which contains one of Yirmiyahu's most fundamental messages and one that has its roots and ramifications throughout the rest of Tanakh. Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.7
In today's audio I give a brief and basic introduction to Yirmiyahu, to the two other books that he wrote and what binds them together within the _Tanakh_ as a whole. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.5
Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo returns with a sharp distinction between what the prophet sees and what the prophet hears. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.4
Yael Shahar, a first time contributor from Jerusalem, shares beautiful words on the prophets vision of cause and effect in history. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.3
Note: The publisher of the podcast apologizes for the delay in the last two episodes.
Hashem remembers the early days of Israel's romance and bemoans how those times are long gone.
Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.2
Note: The publisher of the podcast apologizes for the delay in the last couple uploads.
Jeremiah - one of the greatest of the prophets. We find ourselves in the 620s and will travel with Yirmiyahu through the coming four decades until the destruction of the temple is 586 BCE. The most unwilling of prophets, knowing that he will fail, but persisting nonetheless. Honoured to host again Aliza Libman Barofsky with an outstanding introduction to Yirmiyahu's call to prophecy. Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.1
Our audio focuses on the two first verses of the chapter as encapsulating two very different but fundamental themes of the book and of Judaism as a whole. We conclude, given the hour, with what Yishayahu has taught us about the dual nature of Shabbat. It's been a ride everybody. Thank you! Text in Hebrew and English for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.66
A complex combination of harsh punishment to those who forget God with beautiful imagery of peaceful future times. My question is whether these two thems can be separated out or are they two sides of the same coin. Text for this chapter in Hebrew and English can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.65
If yesterday inspired the Battle Hymn, today's chapter inspires one of Yom Kippur's most memorable passages: 'we are the clay and you are the potter'
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.64
Opens with some of the most graphic lines in the whole Tanakh of God as warrior. 'In the vat I have trodden alone of the peoples... I trampled them in my wrath, stomped on them in my fury, and their life blood spattered my garments'. These lines, remarkably, inspired one of the most powerful anti-slavery abolitionist songs - 'The Battle Hymn Of The Republic' (or 'Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory...' as it is known outside America - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Hymn_of_the_Republic
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.63
The former focuses on repentance, the latter on redemption. The former is full of darkness, the latter is full of light
Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.59
Chapters of teshuva - including the haftara of Yom Kippur - following on from Hashem's promises in the previous chapter now it is time for Israel to do their work to perfect their society. Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.58
Chapters of teshuva - including the haftara of Yom Kippur - following on from Hashem's promises in the previous chapter now it is time for Israel to do their work to perfect their society. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.57
Crazy to think that we are getting close to the end, a chapter full of hope and rightly famous beautiful verses.
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.56
Ch. 53 continues to speak of the relationship between Hashem and the Jewish people, but through a different angle. Here, the prophet must bear the missteps of Bnei Yisrael. "חֳלָיֵ֙נוּ֙ ה֣וּא נָשָׂ֔א וּמַכְאֹבֵ֖ינוּ סְבָלָ֑ם", our sickness he was bearing, our suffering he endured.
Ch. 54: We are reminded of the intimate relationship between God and the Jewish people. It's a relationship that was promised to be tested, yet is filled with potential for its future. "וְאֵ֧שֶׁת נְעוּרִ֛ים כִּ֥י תִמָּאֵ֖ס"...Can one cast off the wife of his youth? (54:6) Alan Levenson returns with today's audio dedicating his piece to those in Israel who have died in the floods this week in light of ch.54's reference of מי נח - the waters of Noach.
Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.54
You may recognize the words for "Lecha Dodi" and your mind may wander to Kabbalat Shabbat. That would be appropriate, as this is one of the most uplifting chapters in Isaiah.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.52
The prophet turns to those who seek justice telling them to remember Avraham and Sarah. And the iconic line -אנכי אנכי הוא מנחמכם
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.51?lang=bi
As Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo explains in his audio this imagery refers to the immediate context of the prophets message (daggers) and its message for future generations (arrows) - appropriate for the first Torah of a new decade(2020)!
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.49
Our first mention of Coresh, the Persian king who will allow Israel to return from their exile in Babylon. In my recording I focus on three verses: the significance of Coresh, the creation of evil, and God's determination that the world not be created in order to be a wasteland but rather for it to be populated. Text for this chapter can be found here:https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.45
Considering the metaphors used for both Hashem and Israel. My audio, among other things, considers whether the image of a woman in childbirth is more of a fitting image for Israel (26:17) or for God (42:14). Text in Hebrew and English can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.41
Harris Lorie provides us with an exceptional introduction to the second half of the book explaining it's difference in context and theme to what has come before.
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.40
Hizkiyahu's illness, his recovery and his dangerous friendship with the Babylonians.
In my audio I try to consider the added significance these chapters take on if we view them as the end of Yishayahu prior to a new book starting in chapter 40. As to that claim as a whole, we'll examine it in depth pretty soon! Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.38
As the Assyrian superpower stands at the gates of Jerusalem and destruction seems immanent, an angel of God strikes down the enemy army and Sancheriv returns to his city, never to emerge again. Calev Ben Dor provides us with a brilliant audio (even by his own standards) considering, among other things, the scenario of 'what if Sancheriv had destroyed Jerusalem in 701 rather than the Babylonians in 586?' - suggesting monotheism might never have taken over the world as it did. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.37
And suddenly we are back in Melachim style narrative. In fact, it's almost word for word Melachim II ch.18, in the year 701 with Sancheriv's armies camped outside Jerusalem. King Chizkiyahu turns to the prophet for help. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.36
An address to Jerusalem. The prophet continues with the remarkable images and metaphors - if the previous chapters have included Israel as a drunk or as a woman in labour, today we speak of deep sleep and of the clay in the hand of the potter. Discussing, among other things, why Jerusalem is referred to as Ariel. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.29
Sees the prophet describing problematic political alliances as if they have been made by drunkards. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.28
On that day...' prophecies, when the Earth is righted, when the wicked fall and the righteous are raised, when the dead arise and the exiles return. Includes reflections on Yishayahu's use of the metaphor of a woman in labour to describe Israel and the question of whether the 80%+ of the Jewish people who were exiled will ever return to history. Text for these chapters can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.26, https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.27
The earth cannot suffer the violence performed and the blood shed upon her surface. She will react. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.24
From the deserts of the sea, to Jerusalem's self-centeredness, to rebuke and comfort to Tzor.
Text for these chapters can be found here:
21: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.21
22: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.22
23: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.23
A very short chapter in which Yishayahu is told to remove his clothes and walk naked as a symbol of the destruction that Assyria will wreak upon both Judah as well as Egypt and other countries. Today's audio is something a bit different. The cult figure (amongst some) Rafi Addlestone seeks not just to learn Yishayahu's lessons but also to mimic his power as a spoken word artist. If anybody would like to hear more of Rafi's religious rap send me a private message and I will forward you another recording in which Rafi combines Yishayahu with a certain hip hop star from St Louis. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.20
This time Yishayahu addresses Egypt, speaking of the Egyptians redemption from Egypt? Jon Muhlrad returns for today's audio pulling out of the chapter 'a very Jewish version of universalism' as a path joins Egypt to Assyria. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.19
A prophecy this time against Damscus / Aram who have allied with the northern kingdom of Israel against the southern kingdom of Yehuda. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.17
This time the foreign nation is Mo'av - but far from anger or derision this a profoundly felt lament over Mo'av's destruction Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.16
The prophet continues his masa'aot prophecies about the nations. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.14
Begins a series of prophecies directed at the nations around Israel starting with the Babylonians - a relatively minor nation in the Tanakh until now but one which will go on to play an enormous role. https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.13
Perhaps the shortest chapter in Tanakh so far - all of 6 verses - and there's a good chance that you'll know at least two of them by heart. I take slight issue with the beautiful, erudite recording of Calev's last week on ch.11 and argue that Yishayahu's vision of an all-encompassing perfect peace is profoundly relevant and pragmatic finding expression for Jewish people all over the world each week. https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.12
Beautiful visions of the wolf lying down with the lamb. Calev Ben Dor returns with a joke about the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo and a consideration of whether peace is a Jewish ideal and if so, what exactly does it mean?https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.11
Israel criticised for their abuse of those who can't defend themselves. Surrounding nations mocked for not realising they are but tools in God's plan, 'should the axe boast over he who wields it? Text for this chapter can be found here: 'https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.10Y
A chapter which combines two different prophecies and two sides of the prophets character. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.9
Note: apologies for the delay in publishing this epsiode, there were technical difficulties.
The prophetic reflection on failing to convince Ahaz to remain independent in the clash of alliances and one of our most important introductions to prophetic politics. Text for this chapter here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.8
Ch. 7 moves us in time from the reign of Uzziyahu (chs.2-6) to that of his grandson Ahaz - if prosperity and stability characterised the reign of Uzziyahu (and the prophetic critique was aimed against pride), two kings later we are in a period of deep political turmoil and terror. The northern kingdom of Israel has allied with Aram and others against the kingdom of Yehuda to convince Ahaz to join their anti-Assyrian coalition. Ahaz is torn between joining them or forging an alliance with the Assyrian super power. Yishayahu urges him to do neither. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.7
The vision of God, and the call to prophecy, which, you may not have realised - features very prominently in our daily prayers. Important to note, that Rashi understands this to be the beginning of Yishayahu's prophecies. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.6
Ilana Stein guides us through the drama of both the parable and the hoy lamentations that follow giving us the context, the drama, the noise. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.5
Comprising two separate prophecies, one of a beautiful future without warfare and the second of the bringing low of all that is high. Despite the warfare surrounding Yehuda in Isaiah's lifetime, the prophet could still dig deep and find a vision of universal peace whose lines of swords beaten into ploughshares is famous until this dayIn our audio we focus on the opening verses (the second prophecy continues into chs.3+4) of swords beaten into ploughshares and consider whether the phrase '_acharit hayamim_' refers to a messianic end of days or simply to a time after now. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.2
Our first venture into a wholly different genre.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.1
A calm day for everyone hopefully with the end of the chagim, but anything but a calm day in the cycle of 929 as the Temple is destroyed and Judah is exiled. Today marks the end of both the book of Melakhim and the narrative history genre of the Tanakh which we have known since the beginning of our studies. In my recording today I try to provide some overview of the final three chapters, 23 to 25, through a dizzying number of kings, to unpack the political from the religious reasons for the Temples destruction. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.23, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.24, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.25
After the terrible Menasheh, we have the restoration of Yoshiyahu and the discovery of a very important scroll. The brilliant Ilana Stein once again guides us through the chapter with a special focus on the fascinating prophetess, Hulda. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.22
From the highs of Hizkiyahu to the real lows of Menasheh, Jerusalem will be wiped like a plate. Ilana Stein returns to guide us through the chapter Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.21
Today we cover three chapters: both festival days and today, chs. 18, 19 and 20 of Melakhim II, neatly covering the life of the righteous King Chizkiyahu who scholars estimate rules from 715 to 686 BCE. In today's audio we consider how the repelling of the Assyrian siege from the gates of Jerusalem was seen as one of the greatest of examples of God's defence of Jerusalem...and yet nevertheless contained the seeds for the eventual downfall of Jerusalem. Hebrew and English text for these chapters can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.18, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.19, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.20
Melachim II Chs. 15-17 are full and quite challenging chapters featuring multiple kings in both Yehuda and Yisrael and shifting alliances and security challenges with Aram, Assyria and Egypt. In today's audio Calev guides us through the thicket culminating with profound thoughts on the exile of the 10 tribes - the moment where the majority of the Jewish people disappear from history. Hebrew and English text for these chapters can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.15, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.16, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.17
Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.14
War between the king in the north (Yehoash) and the king in the south (Amatzia). These two kings are succeeded by their sons, Azaria in Yehuda and Yerevam in Israel. And who is Yerevam's right hand man? None other than Yonah the son of Amitai!. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.13
A new king, Yehoash, launches a project of restoration in Jerusalem after the abuses of Atalya. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.11
Ilana Stein will take us from 8 to 11 focusing on the story of Atalia.
Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.8, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.9, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.10
Elisha's tumultous final chapters where he plays with inflation and deflation as he defeats foreign armies and makes axes float. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.6, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.7
The amazing story of the leprosy of Na'aman being cured by Elisha and then transferred to Elisha's student, Geichazi. In our audio today we suggest that our story may provide a new understanding of what _tzara'at_ is all about. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.5
Back by popular demand in today's audio is Rafi Addlestone - who manages to combine Jeff Buckley with Arugula and utter the eternal line 'prophets are no replacement for an effective welfare state.' Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.4
A fascinating chapter. The kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom have formed an alliance against the King of Moab. The three armies appear as if they’re about to be routed by Moab, until Elisha steps in on their behalf. Elisha brings about a miracle, but still, our chapter laments the destruction of beautiful trees and fertile fields in the midst of war. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.3
Eliyahu's ascent into the whirlwind as Elisha watches on. In my audio I try to connect the dots between our chapter and the book of Joshua to explain something simple but radical that gets to the heart of Eliyahu's project. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.2
We begin sefer Melachim II with Eliyahu and King Achaziyahu. In Eliyahu’s attempt to hide from the King’s men, we see once again that Eliyahu’s zealotry needs to be tempered by Hashem. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.1
We read of the visit of the king of judah to the king of israel and of a new prophet - Michayahu - who decides to tell truth to power about the folly of a military campaign. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.22
The story of Achav and his desire for the vineyard of his neighbour Navot. In our audio, Rav Alex Israel, world expert on Sefer Melachim and astute observer of Israeli society, considers the significance of this story of government, corruption, violence and prophetic political critique for a week in which Israel holds its elections. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.21
We take a break from Eliyahu for a moment for some international relations and war with Ben Hadad of Aram. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.20
After Eliyahu's great victory at Har Carmel against the Baal prophets he is now forced to flee to the desert as he realises that Achav is still in power and Izevel is still queen. There God gives him a message that is one of the most powerful statements of the Jewish understanding of God and of what it means to be a Jewish leader. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.19
After Eliyahu's great victory at Har Carmel against the Baal prophets he is now forced to flee to the desert as he realises that Achav is still in power and Izevel is still queen. There God gives him a message that is one of the most powerful statements of the Jewish understanding of God and of what it means to be a Jewish leader. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.19
This recording focuses on the first part of the chapter - Eliyahu's meeting with Ovadyahu - two prophets with two fundamentally opposed ways of confronting a hostile regime. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.18
Audio today tries to unpick whether Eliyahu's declaration of a drought is admirable or abominable. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.17
While Asa's reign is steady in Yehuda, the house of Basha falls in Israel followed by a succession of short lived kings, until we get to Achav... hold on to your seats everybody. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.16
Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.15
Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.14
Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.13
The two state solution: one of the most significant chapters for future Biblical history. Rehavam, Shlomo's son, becomes king and presents himself as a tyrant. Yerevam's rebellion causes the kingdom to split and for the rest of Biblical history the land of Israel will be split into two kingdoms - Israel in the north and Yehuda in the south. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.12
We felt that things were too good to last and now they go downhill, very fast. A king shouldn’t have too many wives – Shlomo has 1,000. A king’s role is serve God as leader of the people. Shlomo worships, or at least enables others to worship, a wide variety of pagan gods. Shlomo’s story has left me with a lot of thoughts. The pomp and the grandeur felt so foreign to us – that’s not how Jews do it. Humility is the goal and aspiration. But Shlomo gave a good argument for it – I want be a light unto the nations and so I want to build something grand that the world will take notice of. That makes sense. (R Yose in the Talmud Yerushalmi Sanhedrin 2:6 – says that he married so many wives in order to draw them close to Torah – in contrast to Rabbi Shimon b. Yohai who sees him acting out of lust). And that seemed to work for a few chapters. But the bigger they come the harder they fall. The Tanakh never lets us have it easy. The bigger the potential for Kiddush hashem, the bigger the potential for hillul hashem – it’s a thin line between sanctification and desecration. The gemara in Sanhedrin (104b) goes so far as to quote an opinion that Shlomo is among those who have no share in the world to come! We don’t need to go that far in order to see that like his father David in a different context – elevation and humiliation go hand in hand with one another.
I’ve written the above to share my thoughts as preface to a special conversation that Calev Ben Dor had with Rabbi Irwin Kula, president of CLAL, who considers what Shlomo’s story has in common with our contemporary situation, where Jews are once again as affluent and as potentially influential as they were in Solomon’s time. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.11
Things begin to go down hill for Shlomo: Hashem gives him a warning, Egypt is calling, allies are displeased and there is gold everywhere. Alan Levenson of Modi'in, takes the long view placing these chapters not only within the span of Shlomo's life, but connecting them back to the initial presentation of kingship in Israel - which fortuitously happens to be in this week's parsha. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.9, https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.10
Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.7
Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.4
Shlomo's request for wisdom and the story of the two women fighting over a single baby. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.3
Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.2
Today we begin the Book of Kings aka Sefer Melachim. It's a hugely important work taking us from David to almost the end of Biblical history, from the construction of the Temple to its destruction. . Rav Alex has spent many years studying Melachim and has recently published his second work on the sefer. There's no work I'd recommend more than his to aid our study. Check it out www.korenpub.com/koren_en_usd/maggid/series/maggid-studies-in-tanakh/i-kings.html. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.1
After 55 chapters today we finish the book of Samuel. What a journey it's been. Today's audio will be a bit longer than usual - we will use the final chapter which tells of David's sin in counting the people as a retrospective on the themes of the book as a whole.
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.24
Another stonking audio from the sage of Leicester and Haifa, Rabbi Dr Sam Lebens.
Text from this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.23
Suddenly a song - a glimpse of the David of Sefer Tehillim in Sefer Shmuel itself with thoughts on landscape and spirituality from Robert Macfarlane and a modern midrash from Erez Lev Ari.
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.22
We're honoured today to hear Torah from Rabbi (soon to be Dr too) Shlomo Zukier of Yale University and Yeshiva University, who considers, with the help of Tosefta and Yerushalmi, what the case of Sheva Ben Bichri has to teach us about whether the Torah is deontological or consequentialist when it comes to the taking of life.
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.20
We see David haMelech in despair at the loss of his son, Avshalom. As Rav Joe points out in the audio recording, this chapter reflects a good deal about David's relationship with his family, as well as with other tribes and other nations.
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.19
For today's audio we are greatly honoured to have Rabbi Dr Sam Lebens, one of the world's great Jewish educators and philosophy lecturer at the University of Haifa. Here's hoping we can have him many more times
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.18
David is ridiculed while in flight and his son Avshalom has established himself on the throne in Yerushalayim. We also see previous characters re-emerge and prophecies come full-circle.
https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.16
Things are falling apart. Avshalom's rebellion continues - David flees Jerusalem, is cursed by Shimei. Meanwhile Achitophel and Hushi give differing advice as to how the son should destroy the father. Also Tziva might be the most vile character in Tanakh
https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.17
David’s other son, Avshalom, is in exile in Geshur. Yoav, David’s general, uses alternative means—involving a clever woman from Tekoa—to concince David haMelech to bring his son home.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.14
Rosh Chodesh Tov! Special Purim Edition by President Yizhak Herzog, who recorded this in 2019, while he was chair of the Jewish Agency.
Over the winter, 2018-2019, Rav Joe spent an afternoon with Yitzhak Herzog, then chair of the Jewish Agency and former head of the Labour Party (and son of President Chaim Herzog and grandson of Israel's first chief rabbi, Rav Yitzhak Herzog). In his office he keeps the original copy of the prayer for the state of Israel which his grandfather composed. He loved our 929 project and asked to record a piece for Purim - so here it is!
Text for the Megillah can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org.il/Esther?tab=contents
This - for me - is the day we have been waiting for, for a long time. David's love/lust for Batsheva, his coverup, the eventual murder of her husband Uriya. One of the most powerful, unforgettable and disturbing stories in Tanakh and the pivot point of David's life and Shmuel Bet. How has the victim of violence become the perpetrator? Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.11
A diplomatic misunderstanding leads to war Ammon led by the Tzeruya brothers. Audio from many people's favourite Calev Ben Dor speaking about his favourite Yoav Ben Tzeruya. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.10
David haMelech seeks out any living descendants of his dear friend Yonatan, in order to make good on a pledge. He finds Mephiboshet, Yonatan's handicapped son. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.9
David goes on a conquest of the surrounding kingdoms, gathering the materials that are used to build the house for Hashem that was mentioned in the previous chapter. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.8
David brings the ark/aron to Yerushalayim - Mijal is looking from the window at David dancing just as she was looking from the window when she saved him from her father's assassins, but what a difference lies between them! Today's audio using our chapter and Mijal's tragedy as a case study in ambiguity. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.6
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.4
Notes: This episode was originally uploaded with previous episode's episode, but the mistake has been fixed.
Avner attempts to bring about his own reconciliation between the Houses of Shaul and David, but instead it becomes a a dramatic story of revenge.
https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.3
Today David is crowned as King of Judah! But immediately afterwards, a dramatic battle ensues between the soldiers of King David and Ish-Boshet, Shaul’s son who has been made King of Israel.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.2
David learns of the death of Shaul and Yonatan, after which he mournfully composes the "Song of the Bow".
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.1
Audio today reflects on Shaul's life and legacy. Having lived with him now daily for a month I can't help but feel somewhat fond of him.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.31
We start our last week of Shmuel I with an impending battle between Israel and the Philistines. Oddly enough, David seems to be fighting on the side of the Philistines. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.29
When the Philistines march towards Israel and King Shaul goes in search of ghosts. Today's chapter is really one of my very favourites. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to focus on in my audio, but if you'd like my full class on it then here is the source sheet and full shiur
www.joewolfson.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/saul-and-the-witch-joe-wolfson.pdf
www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/861999/joe-wolfson/the-first-king-s-last-night-saul-and-the-witch-of-ein-dor/
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.28
Audio considering whether this chapter is a repetition of ch.24 or adds something altogether new
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.26
Rav Alex is one of the premier teachers of Tanakh today, author of two outstanding books on Sefer Melakhim which we will doubtless come to in a about 6 weeks time. Today he considers a fascinating analogy between David/Avigael and Esav/Yaakov.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.25
Audio featuring a reading of the Ralbag which dramatically opens the question of the difference between David's private motivation and public justification. Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.24
Extra Special Audio. For today's audio Calev Ben Dor combines everything from midrash to 20th century philosophy as he considers Shaul's descent along with an intriguing parallel to Aerys Targaryen. In uploading this chapter, we realized we were missing this recording, and Calev Ben Dor kindly re-recorded last cycle's audio and added an extra something on Achimelech's ancestry. Please enjoy this Torah!
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.22
Two of our most beloved teachers, Calev Ben Dor (Ch. 18) and Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo, provide sympathetic insightful readings of both Shaul and David, considering jealousy, prophecy, madness and the Torah that David studied together with Shmuel as he fled Shaul.
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.19
Two of our most beloved teachers, Calev Ben Dor and Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo (ch. 19), provide sympathetic insightful readings of both Shaul and David, considering jealousy, prophecy, madness and the Torah that David studied together with Shmuel as he fled Shaul.
Text for this chapter here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.18
Our audio today will focus on how Shmuel feels about Shaul's rejection and the task of finding a new king
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.16
In today's audio we'll be discussing whether Shaul should be considered a model humanitarian or a brutal murderer and will be referencing a letter that Rav Aharon Lichtenstein wrote to Menachem Begin after Sabra and Shatila
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.15
Text for these chapters can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.13, https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.14
Text for the final chapter of Shoftim can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.21
Following the previous chapter's outrage, the largest civil war in Jewish history. Audio to follow on what Menachem Begin has to teach us about Jewish fratricide.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.20
A wild chapter - Shimshon's wedding does not go to plan, foxes create a fire, a jawbone is used to do extensive damage, and a terrible thirst reminds Shimshon to not let the power go to his head. Audio from Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo with another impeccable presentation. Truly a _zechut_ to have his presentation straight after Calev Ben Dor's with both, in their different ways, presenting the chapters and their meaning so ably.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.15
Audio from Calev Ben Dor. K'darko b'kodesh, beautifully demonstrating how the Biblical text has been interpreted by Zionist writers as a window into the Israeli/Jewish soul
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.14
Audio from my friend Rabbi Aviad Bodner of Stanton Street Synagogue
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.12
Guest audio from Alan Levenson. He might be an accountant but he loves Tanakh ;)
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.11
Audio from Ilana Stein of Joburg, using an insight from Rav Moshe Lichtenstein about our chapter introducing a new style of leadership.
Text for this chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.10
what a story! The story of the first king of Israel that they don't tell you. Avimelech, son of Gidon, kills 69 of his siblings with only one escaping before he meets his own messy rutal end. This is fratricidal politics at its most brual.
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.9
On the symbolism of the nighttime and why Gidon rejects the people's request that he becomes the first king
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.7, https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.8
Audio considers significance of Yael's family tree and the Tanakh's insistence on reminding us that Israel has friends as well as enemies.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.4
The first judges: Otniel ben Kenaz, Ehud ben Gera and Shamgar ben Anat. If you like Japanese manga you will love the story of Ehud and Eglon....
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.3
Today we begin Sefer Shoftim. I once heard Rav Yaakov Medan refer to it as the most depressing book in Tanakh. Then again, it's packed with some of the most memorable stories.
Text for these chapters can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.1, https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.2
Texts for these chapter can be found here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Joshua.22, https://www.sefaria.org/Joshua.23, https://www.sefaria.org/Joshua.23
Text in English and Hebrew for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Joshua.11
For the first time in the sefer, things go badly wrong - the story of Achan.
English and Hebrew text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Joshua.7
Introduction to Sefer Yehoshua, entering/moving to Israel, and about this podcast.
This podcast is now available on Spotify and anchor https://anchor.fm/929rj, and will be hopefully coming to other platforms as well. Share with your friends and family!
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.28?lang=bi&aliyot=1
The (in)famous story of the theft of the brachot. Were Yaacov and Rivka justified in their actions? We'll call this chapter Eisav's Teshuva. Or, in a line, the whole story depends on where you start and stop reading.
Text for this chapter: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.27?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Our audio attempts to discover Yitzchak's unique personality from under the shadow of his father.
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.26?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Calev Ben Dor of Jerusalem explores the early identities of Yaakov and Esav
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.25?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.24?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.23?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Rabbi Joe uses the work of Israeli novelist Meir Shalev to explore our chapter.
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.22?lang=bi&aliyot=1
A bonus shiur from Rabbi Joe on the expulsion of Yishmael - https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/843192/
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.21?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.20?lang=bi&aliyot=1
The strange story of Lot and his daughters explored by Shira Hanau, 2018 Shalhevet president.
A bonus shiur from Rabbi Joe on Lot and his daughters https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/887490/joe-wolfson/in-the-beginning-lot-and-his-daughters/
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.19?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Judge Rubinstein explores the origins of the Jewish passion for justice and the role of Avraham as the first lawyer.
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.18?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Avraham returns to Canaan from Egypt as a wealthy man but his shepherds fight with the shepherds of his nephew Lot
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.13?lang=bi&aliyot=1
We meet Avraham (Avram) and God commands him to go on a journey to the land that he will show him. Esther Bildrici, co-head of the NYU Kollel considers what this chapter has to teach us. Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.12?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Avraham returns to Canaan from Egypt as a wealthy man but his shepherds fight with the shepherds of his nephew Lot.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.11?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.10?lang=bi&aliyot=0
Noach and his family leave the ark and a new covenant is forged between God and humanity
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.9?lang=bi&aliyot=0
In the middle of the narrative of the flood Yigal Kamel, NYU Rosh Kollel 2018-2019 explores the Torah's seasons through the prism of mathematics.
The chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.4?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Ch 6: The sons of the mighty and the world is filled with violence
Ch 7: we meet Noach a righteous man in his generationGod tells Noach to enter the ark with his family and the animals
Text in hebrew and english can be found here:
Ch 6: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.6?lang=bi&aliyot=0
Ch 7: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.7?lang=bi&aliyot=1
The descendants of Adam
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.5?lang=bi&aliyot=0
The first brothers and the first murder explored by Gabe Slamovits community educator of the downtown minyan.
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.4?lang=bi&aliyot=1
What was the snake thinking?
Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.3?lang=bi&aliyot=1
Adam and Eve in the garden
Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.2?lang=bi&aliyot=0
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth...
Text can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.1?lang=bi&aliyot=0
A retrospective on finishing studying the 929 chapters of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and on starting again