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.
10 mins a day.
One chapter a day.
929 schedule.
787 Episodes
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In this chapterYaakov and family return to Beit El to fulfil Yaakov's vowYaakov's name-change is ratified by GodRachel goes into labor and dies in childbirth. Benjamin is born. The 12th son.Reuven's sin.In our podcast today, we weave these episodes into a single story.
Dinah is raped and abducted.Shimon and Levi rescue her, and murder the people of Shchem.Were they justified?Why did Yaakov rebuke them?
In our chapter 33, after a nail-biting tense chapter of worried anticipation, Yaakov and Esav meet. But there is little animosity here. There is a hug, a kiss, tears. Like long lost brothers, Esav asks Yaakov about his family, his wivesand kids; Yaakov offers him gifts, Esav suggests that they travel together, Yaakov politely refuses. Where did all the tension go?
Jacob is returning to Canaan. He notifies his brother Esau. HE gets a message: Esav is coming to meet you with 400 men.Yaakov is petrified. He suspects that Esav is coming to massacre him and his household!But when the brothers meet, Esav simply hugs Yaakov and expresses brotherly love.Did Yaakov misunderstand Esav?What is the drama here?
Why did Yaakov need to leave Haran like a thief in the night?Why did Yaakov need to cheat Lavan by secret "genetic engineering" of his herds?Who is the cheat - Lavan or Yaakov?In this podcast we demonstrate Yaakov's stellar moral integrity and Lavan's manipulative treatment of Yaakov and his family.
Our chapter demonstrates the phenomenal tension between Rachel and Leah and the strong emotions that rage in the family. We discuss the characters of these two matriarchs and preset a framework to appreciate their unique strengths.
We shall read chapter 29 as slowly exposing several of the challenges - personal and moral - that Yaakov will face in his sojourn in Haran - the challenges of Exile.
Why does God appear to Yaakov at Beit-El? Why now?What is the meaning of the dream about the ladder? And why does Yaakov respond by setting up a stone pillar?
Why did Yaakov steal the blessings?Was he (and Rivka) correct?Can a blessing be stolen?
Each of the "Avot" represent a unique contribution to the mosaic of Jewish existence and ideas.Today we probe what Yitzchak - in many ways the most hidden of all the Avot - represents.
Yaakov and Esav commence their rivalry in the womb. The forces that drive them to conflict seem to operate beyond the rational.Reading the story, why does Isaac love Esav and Rivka love Yaakov?And why do we see Esav as evil. If anything, it is Yaakov who tricks his brother out of the birthright!
This is the story of Rivka's betrothal.Why did Avraham make his servant take an oath? What makes Rivka so special?
Chapter 23 describes the death of Sarah and Avraham's purchase of a burial site for her. But why is the story depicted with such verbosity? Couldn't the story have been told in amore concise way?I think the to and fro here reveals the key to the story.
This is the most awesome of all the tests of Abraham. The Binding of Isaac. But why did Avraham not answer back and refuse this test? Is it legitimate to slaughter a child?
What did Yishmael do that made Sarah take the decision to make Avraham drive his son out of their home?Did Avraham send his own son to possible death by thirst in the desert?
Why do Sarah and Abraham need to pass themselves off as siblings? Can't they be up-front about their marital status?And in our chapter, as God protects Avraham, Avimelekh complains and says "will you kill the innocent too?" he sounds quite similar to Avrham in ch.18. Why does the Torah choose to put this phraseology into Avimelekh's mouth?
Why did Lot deserve to be saved?Was he righteous, practicing Abraham's tradition of hospitality? But who sends their two virgin daughters out to a mob?
This chapter contains two scenes:1. Avrham practicing hospitality. The 3 angels. The angels announce the prospect of the birth of Isaac to Sarah.2. Avraham bargains/argues with God for the fate of Sedom.How do these two scenes connect and coalesce?
In this chapter, Avraham is given another covenant and the enaction of the covenant is Brit Mila- the circumcision of male children at 8-days old.What is there about this mitzvah that gives it such foundational status as regards Jewish identity? Is it merely a ritual or is there meaning behind it?
Sarai sees that she is infertile.She suggests that Avraham be intimate with Hagar, an Egyptian slave-woman, and that she will have a surrogate child.But once she is pregnant Hagar shows no intention to hand over the child. She asumes parity with Sarah. The pan has backfired.Now Sarah "oppresses" Hagar and Hagar runs away, only to be met by an angel at the well.Was Sarai's actions ethical?Why is the Tanakh so sympathetic to Hagar?
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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