Claim OwnershipThe Tanakh Podcast
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© Alex Israel
Description
Study Tanakh with Rav Alex Israel.
10 mins a day.
One chapter a day.
929 schedule.
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To donate, see
https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael
https://patreon.com/u51407457
10 mins a day.
One chapter a day.
929 schedule.
---
To donate, see
https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael
https://patreon.com/u51407457
917 Episodes
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Our chapter discusses a ban on sacrificial worship outside a central location - "the place which God will choose" - which 400 years hence became Jerusalem!Why are local altars banned if they are dedicated to God?Are there advantages to altars in multiple locations?
Our chapter speaks about rain.Why is rain a central feature of connectivity between God and Israel? Why is Egypt a "House of Bondage" whereas Eretz Yisrael is a "Land that God seeks perpetually"?
Today, to mark Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day - we speak about the tradition that "the tablets and the fragments of the tablets were both deposited in the Ark” (Bava Batra 14b)In memory of the sacred six million who were murdered in the Shoah.
Moses addresses the possibility that Israel will see themselves as virtuous, self-righteous and conceited as a result of their entry to the land. He warns the people of their tendency to reject God's teachings and regulations and reminds them that the land of Israel is a challenge, not a perk.
Again, a chapter with famous verses, and with the source for Burkhat Hamazon, the archetype of all our blessings over food and other areas of personal sustenance and pleasure.The danger in this chapter is not idolatry. It is prosperity, comfort, wealth, and lifestyle, standard of living.The opposite of the wealth in the natural land of Israel, is the wilderness. It is the memory of the wilderness experinec which is to educate us to appreciate that everythimng we have is, in fact, a blessing.
What is the concept of the chosen people?It is mentioned by our chapter. Are we chosen because we are better? Or we called to act better?
Today we address three major topics:1. The first line of the Shema - What does it mean that God is "one"? What is the connection between "shema" and the "love" of God?2. The notion of "you shall teach your children" and the power of Talmud Torah as a major principle.3. Is there an ethic independent of Halakha? - "You shall do that which is just and good"
Did God speak to the people or did Moses act as an intermediary, due to the people's fear of God's fire?Are the Ten Commandments in Devarim the same as Shemot or different? If they are the same, why is the text different? If they are different why is this an accurate rendition of the law?
In this chapter Moshe advocates for adherence to the covenant and warns against idolatry. We evoke the central themes and ideas of the chapter which read like a list of the key faith principles of Judaism. And we discuss two diverse motives for idolatry.
Today we discuss the story - according to peshat (the biblical text) and derash (Jewish legend) and try to probe the intriguing persona of Og, King of the Bashan.
Today we begin with an Introduction to the structure of Sefer Devarim.We then proceed to an analysis of the first speech of Devarim, and its message.
A class for Erev Pesach and Devarim ch.1Devarim is called Mishneh Torah - the "review" of the Torah. But is Moshe repeating the stories and laws, or adapting them?
Here we see part 2 of the Daughters of Tzelophchad story.The Tribe of Menashe appeal God's decision regarding the daughters of Tzelophchad, claiming that it will hurt their tribal interests.We speak about situations in which a legal solution becomes a gateway for new problems.
Ch.35 describes the Levite cities.Why do Levites need special cities?And we also discuss the idea of Ir Miklat - cities of Refuge - and the law of the "blood avenger".
In this chapter the borders of Eretz Yisrael are transcribed.But this topic is confusing, because sometimes the borders of the land are small, are limited; at other times they are expansive! What are the borders of the land?
Ch.33 gives us the 42 stops in Israel's trek to the promised land.But why list each and every location?
Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuven request to remain in the Transjordan.Was their request illegitimate?Did Moses save the day or did he misunderstand their intention?That is a debate between Rashi and the Abarbanel.--To support our work, please see my Patreon or my BuymeaCoffee account.Thank you!
Israel wage war against MidyanMost of the chapter relates to the ethics of the spoils of war.Why is this such a critical topic?
Our chapter speaks about promises or vows that invoke God's name. These verbal pronouncements must be kept.But why would a person vow?And why is this topic relevant at this point in Sefer Bamidbar?And how do we deal with the status of women in this chapter?---Regarding bookings for Shabbat Scholar-in-residence, email alexisrael99@gmail.com or see https://www.alexisrael.org/scholar-in-residence
Ch.29 completes the annual cycle of Jewish festivals, in listing the additional sacrifices for festive days.We talk today about some of the ideas and patterns that are revealed through the numbers contained in this detail laden chapter.
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This is the way to go for chapter by chapter analysis of the Tanakh. Just the right length each episode for a single chapter.
Thank you so much. Really appreciate your time and effort. God bless
I am a full time missionary in South Africa, have always wanted to read the Tanakh but never got around to. I've downloaded the 1st episode and will begin listening shortly. Thank you so much for making these available. God bless you. Sincerely Ben