Let the Prophets Speak

We don't understand the ways of God, but it is better to be wise than to be foolish, and it is important to enjoy the momentary pleasures that we are privileged to experience.

Kohelet examines three possible paths; physical pleasure, wisdom, and purposelessness. He begins by observing that while he derived pleasure from seeking out the luxuries oif this world, they were only fleeting and temporary.

Wisdom itself is a source of pain and anxiety. Maybe it would be better to be ignorant?

Everything that was will be again, there is nothing new under the sun.

We introduce the Book of Ecclesiastes, and begin reading this masterpiece in which we encounter the seeming futility of the search for meaning in our lives.

The kingdom of Judah is destroyed, and the people are exiled. Cyrus of Persia issues a proclamation to allow the return of the exiles.

The reign of Josiah reaches its greatest height in the most wonderful Passover celebration in history. Tragically Josiah meets his untimely death due to a severe military error.

Josiah cleanses the nation and the Temple. A hidden Torah scroll is found and sparks a renewal of the covenant between God and His people.

Menasheh and Amon lead the people of Judah back on the sorry and evil path towards darkness.

Hezekiah leads the people to a miraculous victory over the Assyrian forces, but arrogance gets to his head.

Under Hezekiah's leadership, the wealth and bounty of the harvest is celebrated, storehouses are built, and the priestly class is supported in their holy work.

Hezekiah reunites the people of Judah and the remnants of the people of Israel in a wonderful and joyous celebration of Passover.

Hezekiah begins his remarkable reign with a dramatic restoration of the Temple.

King Ahaz leads the people down a path of corruption, idol worship and abomination. The Kingdom of Judah begins to fall apart as it is attacked from all sides.

Yotam is faithful to God and has a mostly successful reign for 16 years.

Once again, we read of a King who rules successfully until his arrogance got the better of him.

We read of the reign of King Amatzyahu of Judah. While he started with great promise, arrogance once again brings a King down to an ignominious end.

We read of Yo'ash's refurbishing of the Temple, and how he abandoned God due to arrogance after his mentor Yehoyadah passed away.

Athaliah is deposed, Yehoyadah the High Priest leads the reestablishment of the House of David and the 6 year old Yo'ash is placed on the throne of Judah.

The House of Ahab is destroyed in the North, but its negative influence persists in the Kingdom of Judah. Achaziah fails dramatically and is killed and almost the entire House of David is wiped out by Athaliah in a violent coup.

King Yehoram rules with a murderous iron fist, leads the people astray, and the once great Kingdom of Judah begins to fall apart.

Yehoshaphat leads the people in prayer when presented with a seemingly impossible threat. A miraculous delivery occurs when God himself does battle on the people's behalf.

Yehoshaphat fulfills the Torah's commands to set up a system of justice.

Yehoshaphat forms an alliance through marriage with the Northern kingdom and goes into battle with his new ally Ahab. We learn a timely lesson about speaking truth to power.

Yehoshaphat builds a powerful kingdom, loyal to God, and beloved by the people.

The promising reign of King Asa ends with a failure of leadership.

At the advice of the prophet Azaryahu, King Asa leads the people of Judah into a renewal of the covenant with God.

King Asa takes the proper path and wins a major military victory to defend Judah.

Aviyah takes over after his father's death, and all out civil war breaks out between Israel and Judah.

Rehoboam's arrogance and pride leads to weakness which Pharoah Sheshak is quick to exploit. Jerusalem pays its' way out of complete destruction.

Civil war is averted, and Rehoboam shifts his focus towards the consolidation of his kingdom.

Rehaboam chooses the path of oppression, and the people of Israel launch a rebellion.

Solomon's reign is depicted at its greatest as the reputation of Solomon has spread far and wide. the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon's court is highlighted as one of the greatest events of Solomon's career as king.

Solomon's kingdom at its' height extended as far north as parts of what is today southern Turkey, and as far south as the port of Eilat. He even had a fleet of sailing ships in the Indian Ocean!

God shows His acceptance of the Temple, but only if the people humble themselves before God and follow His commandments.

We read the stunning and beautiful prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the Holy temple. In this prayer we learn the true purpose of this Temple, and how it is meant to bring the message of god to the entire world.

Solomon kneels before God and begins to address the people of Israel. He begins with a summary of how we came to this momentous occasion.

The work of the Temple is complete, and Solomon leads the people as they bring the ark into the Holy of Holies. God's presence descends upon the people.

We read of the "Sea" of Solomon, the lavers, lamps, tables, and the beautiful structures of Solomon's House of God.

We discuss the significance of the Holy Temple and read about Solomon's great building project.

Solomon gets help building the temple from his ally in the North.

Solomon begins his career as king by humbly asking God for the wisdom and knowledge necessary to be a successful king over Israel.

David and the people celebrate the preparations for the temple together and David gives his final speech. Solomon is crowned his successor.

David calls the leadership together to instruct and guide his son solomon who will fulfill the task of building the Temple upon the death of David.

We describe the structure of David's administration and how he divided Army service among the tribes.

David appoints the Temple guards, the gatekeepers, treasurers and a system for governing the more distant tribes.

David appoints 24 groups of Levites in charge of leading the music, song and prayer at the Temple.

David oversees the establishment of the 24 groups of Kohanim (Priests).

David prepares the temple staff according to their families.

David is not the one to build the Temple, as he is a man of war and subjugation of others. Solomon will be the one to build the Temple to spread the glory of God throughout the world.

David is instructed to build an altar to God at the site of the granary of Arnon the Jebusite. The site is then established as the future site of the Temple, representing the importance of humility for our leadership.