Hebrew In Israel

“Then go in; shut the door, with you and your sons inside; and pour oil into all those containers; and as they are filled, put them aside.” The prophet Elisha cares for two widows in this week’s haftarah Vayera. Haftarah Vayera:  2 Kings 4:1-37 Other Teachings Mentioned in this Podcast Daniel In Ezekiel     Worship? […]

We open our renewed Torah cycle in Bereshit (In the beginning) with an academic comparison and contrast of the elements in the Torah with other creation stories. Torah Portion Bereshit: Genesis 1:1 – 6:8   Questions And Topics In This Podcast Who rebelled against God? Why is man created in the first place? Is Duality in […]

Join Yoel and Jeff Gilbert as we wrap up this year’s Torah cycle with Vezot Haberakhah (this is the blessing). Torah Portion Vezot Haberakhah: Deuteronomy 33:1 – 34:12   Questions And Topics In This Podcast Ending and Beginning the Torah Cycle Final Speeches in the Tanakh אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים  (Ish haElohim) “The Man of God” Analysis of […]

From the Talking Torah Round Table torah portions with Jeff Gilbert, this week’s Torah portion, Ha’azinu (listen) has Yoel and Jeff discussing the details of Hebrew Poetry and what the symbolism used in this song is all about. Torah Portion Haazinu: Deuteronomy 32:1 – 32:52   This Week’s Haftarah

“Life and good” or “death and evil” is the choice given to those standing before God, as well as to “those who are not here with us today”.  We present implications of these passages and more in this week’s Torah portion, Nitzavim (standing). Torah Portion Nitzavim: Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20 Torah Portion Vayelech:  Deuteronomy 31:1-30 Questions […]

After an additional note about polygamy from last week’s parashah, we discuss aspects of the bikkurim (firstfruits) in this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo (when you come). Torah Portion Ki Tavo: Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8 Questions and Topics in this Discussion Are Firstfruits First In Chronology or Quality? Where Are They Brought? Why Specify The Priest “which will […]

We present an historic perspective to some awkward and controversial issues in this week’s torah portion, Ki Tetze (when you go out). Torah Portion Ki Tetze: Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 Questions and Topics in this Discussion What To Do With Female Captives Of War When A Man Has More Than One Wife What About Leviticus […]

We examine the structure of authority that God established for Israel in this week’s torah portion, Shoftim (judges). Torah Portion Shoftim: Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9 Questions and Topics in this Discussion What is a Shofet (Judge)? Can A King Of Israel Have Absolute Power? What Will It Be Like If/When There Is A King In […]

This week’s torah portion, Re’eh (see) gives us instructions for identifying true prophets. Torah Portion Re’eh: Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17 Questions and Topics in this Discussion Types of Prophets & Prophecy Signs and Wonders Does the Prophet Elisha Give Instructions Contrary to Torah? Problems With Prophecy Prophecy’s Effect on Cannonization When Did Prophecy End? This […]

Profound thoughts and questions arise in this week’s torah portion, Eqev (because), which tells us about placing the stone tablets in the ark. Torah Portion Eqev: Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25 Questions and Topics in this Discussion The Ark Are We Ready For A Temple Again? Fearing and Loving God The Technicality and Spirituality of Torah […]

In this week’s torah portion, Vaetchanan (and I pleaded), we examine the components of loyalty throughout this parashah. Torah Portion Vaetchanan: Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11 Questions and Topics in this Discussion Does God Actually Have a Form? The Point Where We Became a People Being in Covenant With Each Other, Not Just God How to […]

In this week’s torah portion, Devarim (words), Israel’s leader, Moshe, delivers his final speech before his death.  Yoel addresses some technical issues surrounding this ancient document, as well as the governing of Israel. Torah Portion Devarim: Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22 Questions and Topics in this Discussion Torah Cycles Dating of the Book of Deuteronomy The […]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this week’s Torah portion, Emor (speak), we see how the cohanim (priests) are supposed to look and behave as representatives of God on earth. Torah Portion Emor:  Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: The Reform Movement and Women’s Roles in Leadership and Temple Service Appearance of the Cohanim Contact with the […]

In this week’s second Torah portion, Qedoshim (holy ones), Yoel examines the laws for our social structure that make us holy by upholding order and reducing chaos. Torah Portion Qedoshim:  Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: Women in Ancient Israel Where Does Holiness Come From? The Fatherless and the Ger (stranger) […]

In this week’s first Torah portion, Acharey Mot (after the death), Yoel walks us through the procedures and insights connected to Yom Hakippurim (Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement). Torah Portion Acharey Mot:  Leviticus 16:1 – 20:27 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: The Organization of Holiness and Purity Laws Yom Hakippurim (Day of Atonements) Day of […]

In this week’s second Torah portion, Metzora’ (leper), Yoel explains the nature of biblical leprosy, the social condition of the leper and other realities of leprosy that we find in the Tanakh. Torah Portion Metzora’: Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: The Testing Period The Divine Connection Being a Social Outcast […]

In this week’s Torah portion, Tazria (she conceives), Yoel addresses the odd laws of childbirth and blood flow. Torah Portion Tazria:  Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59 Questions and topics in this discussion: The Concept of Clean and Unclean Possible Connection Between Childbirth and the Garden of Eden Typological Numbers (7, 40) The Woman’s Status During the 7 […]

This week’s Torah portion, Shmini (eighth), contains the dietary laws of God.  Listen as Yoel explains about Kosher practices in the home. Torah Portion Shmini: Leviticus  9:1 – 11:47 Questions and topics in this discussion: What does Kosher mean? How are we defiled by what we eat? Rabbinic Kosher vs. Biblical Kosher Removing the Blood Issues With Produce […]

“Then Hizkiyahu sent to all Isra’el and Y’hudah, and wrote letters also to Efrayim and M’nasheh, summoning them to the house of YHWH in Yerushalayim, to keep the Pesach to YHWH the God of Isra’el.” 2 Chronicles 30:1 From our weekly bible class, we look at how converts have been handled at different times, and how King Hizkiyahu’s passover is a […]