Tom's Talmud Tisch: , Masechet Sotah, Daf 34,b This Gemara mini-series focuses on the Scriptural Story of the Sin of the Spies. The baffling biblical narrative of the Scouts appointed by Moses to reconnoiter Canaan is a shameful yet important part of our national saga. In-depth study of the verses reveals the true backstory, enabling us to learn the lessons of history and avoid repeating their mistakes today! Part One, opens as we seek an understanding of the origins of this most unusual Divine commandment, logically proving it couldn't have been initiated by G-d, but rather a big decision Moses would have to make on his own. Was the mission doomed to fail from the get-go, or did the system malfunction? Our Sages then dig into the language used to uncover unsavory motives. By employing a fascinating biblical cross reference, the truth is embarrassingly laid bare. Finally, we are introduced to historic decoding of the secret messages encrypted into the IDs of the selected scouts -- revealing some shocking information! This is the first Episode of a two-part mini study-series entitled SPIES IN DISGUISE.
Tom's Talmud Tisch: Masechet Sotah, Daf 34,b Part Two, continues with a fascinating biblical cross reference embarrassingly uncover the naked truth. Then we hear of an heirloom legacy decoding of secret messages encrypted into the IDs of the selected scouts. This all reveals some shocking information as well as a deeper understanding of the whether this spy-mission ill-fated from the get-go. Finally, as we re-trace the steps of the Spies who went South, we get the Minority Man Report -- hearing about the one who dared buck the trend and go off on his own! This little known, yet incredible story of the one Spy who decided to go it alone, slip into a graveyard cave provides the keys to achieving moral clarity. The seeming detour of dependency ends provides him a view of the mission the others missed. It It's a thrilling narrative that remains an ongoing source of practical guidance and uplifting inspiration. Here you will find real-time instructions for success even when you aren’t given unique Privileges or special Blessings! Rabbi Mendel Kaplan
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin - The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Thirty-Five Page 94b This in-depth Gemara study is on the fascinating teachings of Perek Chelek, which uniquely focuses on Faith Matters and Torah Theology. From Credo to Conduct, we explore the Soul's Nature, Eternity, the Afterlife, fascinating Prophecies about Historic Events as well as the future Messianic Redemption. To clarify these aspects, archetypal personalities and eras are often analyzed and assessed to shed light on these matters. Occasionally, our Sages will probe beneath the surface to reveal deeper dimensions and enabling us to learn the lessons of history and avoid repeating their mistakes today! ---------- Tractate Sanhedrin, Page 94 b " KINGDOM OF HEAVEN" In the previous Episode, we’d returned to a post-mortem on Sennacherib’s miraculous defeat. Through it, G-d provided surprising sources of sustenance. Unnerved, the people sought prophetic guidance in collecting the unearned spoils. In this Episode, we will backtrack to the events leading up to the terrifying siege and the seemingly impossible situation King Hezekiah and his loyal citizens found themselves in. It opens with the March on Jerusalem. The Talmud relates a remarkable narrative of Sennacherib’s stunning successive string of a single day’s journeys as he marched towards Zion. Astonishingly, many stops were made by this aggressive attack army made over the course of that same day. Yet, even more stunningly, it was the force of spirit, rather than their spirit of force that would carry the day. Discover the sweeping story of a tidal wave of ancestral goodness and the power of their Mitzvot. Finally, it’s the tale of two Lion-hearted warrior Kings alluded to in prophetic prose that makes the difference. While one is indeed a Monarch to Fear, the other should not induce anxiety!
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin - The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Thirty-Four Page 94b This in-depth Gemara study is on the fascinating teachings of Perek Chelek, which uniquely focuses on Faith Matters and Torah Theology. From Credo to Conduct, we explore the Soul's Nature, Eternity, the Afterlife, and the future Messianic Redemption. To clarify these aspects, archetypal personalities and eras are often analyzed and assessed to shed light on these matters. Occasionally, our Sages will probe beneath the surface to reveal deeper dimensions and enabling us to learn the lessons of history and avoid repeating their mistakes today! ---------- Tractate Sanhedrin, Page 94 b This Episode follows the previous analysis of how King Hezekiah spawned a Golden-Age of Torah Literacy, inspiring Am Yisrael to amass Wisdom rather than Wealth. We now return to the post-mortem of Sennacherib’s miraculous defeat. G-d provides the people of Israel with plentiful Parnassa from unexpected sources. This boon materially enables the incredible aforementioned national religious renaissance. Surprisingly, the Jewish People seek prophetic guidance for propriety in pillaging. Isiah invokes the image of locust harvesting in response. Yet, how can grasshopper gleaning become a source of an ethical code of conduct for collecting spoils? We will touch on international law on ownership and the privilege of victors. Can people's legal rights simply be rinsed in a wave of conflict? Proof is found in an ancient Battle of the Titans and the accompanying prophetic insight on Purified Property. Discover how one nation’s victory on the battlefield served to enable another nation’s legal claims to land and geography!
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin - The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Thirty-Three Page 94b The Burning Power of Synagogue Oil Lamps now sheds light on the Brightest (and soberest) Jewish Citizenry in history. Shockingly -- they were motivated to invest in Torah study and get that sharp by Royal Edict, and at Sword Point! This Episode is features an in-depth exploration of the incredible story of how the Golden-Age of Torah Literacy was created. Illuminating the historic epoch when real-life Monarch inspired his constituents to amass Wisdom rather than Wealth. Discover a historic anomaly: an unprecedented, and un-replicated legendary story about achieving a pan-national level of Torah erudition for all; Children, Women and Men! Rabbi Mendel Kaplan
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin - The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Thirty-Two Page 94b This Episode opens with a focus on the bodily weakness that brought strength of the spirit, and G-d’s protection upon the nation. For when Am Yisrael is weary from intense devotion to Torah Study it is enabled to resist Enemy Oppression! We then move on to Deciphering of the Prophecies that Followed the Facts of Faith. Discovering the meaning of Post-mortem Prophecies that tell of a Divine Oath Bringing Great Challenges that ultimately Channeled even Greater Sustenance. Plus we’ll learn about the Energy and the Burning Power of Synagogue Oil Lamps!
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin - The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Thirty-One Page 94 a-b This Episode opens with a focus on the Fiery Destruction of Israel's enemies that came in a Blaze of G-d’s Glory. Then we'll move on to analyze Differing Dimensions of Divine Retribution for Royal Blasphemy, as we learn of the different methods and messengers G-d might choose to punish the irreverent and arrogant offenders. Back the People of Israel -- we learn of Softly Flowing Springs Flooded by Strong Rivers, as the national rejection of Shiloach-like Sovereignty leads to the punishing Rapids of Assyrian Affliction.
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin - The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Thirty Page 94 a-b This Episode opens with a focus on the powerful potential royal protagonists were endowed, their clash of civilizations and values. This watershed face-off can speak to us from antiquity with real-time instructions for success even if, or perhaps especially when you aren’t born with unique Privileges or don't merit receiving special Blessings! This teaching creates necessary backdrop for us to delve into the History and Mystery of The Lost Tribes of Israel! From the Privileged Naming of a Historic Conqueror to an Incredible Lesson in Communication that we would all be wise to learn from; you’ll discover how sometimes “Where You Go” isn’t nearly as important as “What You Call It!”
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin - The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Twenty Nine Page 94 a This Episode opens with a focus on the Royal Disgrace of National Ingratitude at varying watershed moments. We will see a glaring historic omission that repeated itself, and focus on the lessons we must learn from them! Analysis of an ancient narrative that remains an ongoing source of practical guidance and uplifting inspiration will make us wonder if it was a sharp-edged knife, or serrated sensitivities? These events of antiquity clearly contain real-time instructions for success even, or perhaps especially when you aren’t born with unique Privileges or don't merit receiving special Blessings! Rabbi Mendel Kaplan
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin 993b-94a The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Twenty Seven Babylonian Exilic Episodes! Palace Politics, Prophetic Promises People and Personalities Amongst the Jewish Exiles and Returnees to Zion!
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin -The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Twenty Six On Seeding of Six Sacred Saviors Origins of the Righteous Ruths’ birthing of Jewish Redeemers! Sanhedrin 93a
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Twenty Five Back into the Inferno! Be amazed by the story of the false philandering prophets who were roasted and burned, and the High Priest whose clothes were merely singed!
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin - The Talmud on the World to Come 93a Lesson Twenty Four Solving the Mystery of the Missing Prophet!
Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Twenty Three Out of the Inferno: The Postscript story of Judaism’s Three Brave Boys who defied a tyrant and inspired the world!
Talmud Tisch- Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Twenty Two Dating Ezekiel’s Dry Bones: When did that historic mass resurrection take place?
Talmud Tisch- Intermediate Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin The Talmud on the World to Come Lesson Twenty One The Resurrection Getting A Positive ID: Who exactly were Ezekiel’s Dry Bones in their first life?
The Talmud on the World to Come. Our Sages Reflections on Historic Hopes, Dreams and Visions ; The Silent Sovereign, Singing Soil, Speaking Spirits plus the Pope who Converted!
TOM’S TALMUD TISCH: Series on Hakhel, Part Eight Masechet Sotah, Chap. Seven, Page 41a Was Righteous Relinquishing of Royal Respect, Right or Wrong? In this Eighth and final Episode, we conclude analyzing the pithy information on fulfilling the biblical Septennial Assembly Mitzvah of Hakhel that's available in the Mishna. As we've learnt gathering the nation for an event that leaves the maximum after-effect calls for the participatory leadership of a supreme royal figure -- if possible. The inspiring atmosphere at our Septennial Assembly was created, in part, by the sitting Monarch playing the pivotal role. Ultimately, much of Hakhel’s unique aura revolved around the Crown, and the King's Honour therefore comes to be viewed an important component of the Mitzvah. This helps us appreciate our desired involvement of even a less-than-fully-sanctioned regent who represented (at best) a dubious, non-accredited monarchy. The unorthodox humility of one such supreme political leader, leads into a discussion of whether any governing monarch may ever relinquish royal esteem without inappropriately --and unlawfully diminishing the honour of the monarchy itself? The same foreigner-King's surprising emotional outburst elicited an even more surprisingly flattering response from the Torah-sage-led-nation. Was their flattery a tragic and costly mistake? Finally, we'll discover how this sheds light on, and provides a better, fuller comprehension of the Mitzvah of Hakhel itself!
TOM’S TALMUD TISCH: Series on Hakhel, Part Seven Masechet Sotah, Chap. Seven, Page 41a In this seventh Episode we continue the analysis of information found in the Mishna -- deciphering the meaning of the mechanics of the artificially created ceremony involving rank and file of Jewish political and spiritual leadership to best fulfill the biblical Septennial Assembly Mitzvah of Hakhel! Simply stated: while the Torah clearly ordains the need to gather the nation for an important event that would feature a Torah Reading by its supreme royal leadership, there is no mention of introducing it in a dazzling display of honour to human beings. And, even if the King's Honour is framed as a component of the Mitzvah, doesn’t honouring others infringe upon the unique dignity due to royalty alone? The formalities of the event are fully clarified as we learn to appreciate greater involvement of the Temple dignitaries, alongside with the Monarchy. Finally, a look at posture and protocol: who can sit, and who must stand and what that means to us, the Jewish People. Understanding Temple Respect, and the uniqueness of the Davidic Monarchy vs other Houses of Jewish Royal will ultimately lead into a fuller comprehension of Hakhel itself! This is the Seventh Episode in our special mini- series on Hakhel.
TOM’S TALMUD TISCH: Series on Hakhel, Part Six Masechet Sotah, Chap. Seven, Page 41a ~ Dissecting Scripture to Determine the Date of Hakhel! In the sixth Episode we continue delving more deeply into the Gemara which clarified the information presented in the Mishna -- in a Quest to Discover the Best Day for The Assembly! To be sure, the Talmud’s careful analysis of verses did reveal the divinely ordained date for our Septennial Assembly Mitzvah. Yet, despite unravelling the seeming superfluous syntax of the scripture regarding the date, the precise timing is still unclear! Compellingly, for all Talmudic pinpointing, the precise date remains a mystery. Surprisingly, the great Sages of the mediaeval era continued to debate this, and until our very day, the question ahs never been fully resolved! Why we weren’t given clearer instructions, and ultimately when exactly is the right time is something we may only discover once Moshiach arrives. Here you will learn to appreciate the differing schools of thought and achieve a broader panoramic view of the full jurisprudence governing this exceptional Torah Commandment.