Morning Drive Bible

Exodus 21:22-23 offers a very different take from that which we saw yesterday: namely, that a fetus is treated as something far less than a full human being. Join David and Scott for our continuing discussion about abortion, Jewish law, and modern legislation.

As they further dissect Exodus 21:22-23, David and Scott discover an important distinction between manslaughter and murder. What impact does this have upon our discussion of abortion?

As Morning Drive Bible continues its discussion about abortion, Scott offers a Talmudic source that seems to indicate that a fetus in its mother's womb is a part of the mother's body, not an independent person. Does this mean that Jewish law is pro-choice?

The laws of the Sabbath are very strict, but a classic tenet is that one can violate those laws in order to save a life. Moreover, Jewish law allows us to save a fetus on the Sabbath even if the mother's life is not in danger. Does that mean that a fetus is a full human being?

Some Jewish sources seem to imply that a fetus is a life; others that it's part of the mother's body. Are these sources all disagreeing with each other, or do they together offer a nuanced and complex understanding of the nature of an unborn child?

While Jewish law certainly doesn't give carte blanche in terms of permitting abortion, there are some authorities who define "saving the mother's life" - which is a reason to allow abortion - in a broad manner. Listen to David and Scott continue their important discussion about abortion on today's Morning Drive Bible.

In the previous nine episodes of Morning Drive Bible, Scott has presented a somewhat more pro-choice argument than that offered by David; but in today's episode, he surprisingly explains why, despite his support for legalized abortion in some circumstances, he believes that Roe v. Wade is an act of judicial overreach by the Supreme Court. They also discuss how their approaches should be reflected in Israeli law.

Should Jewish law be definitive in determining the law in Israel, particularly as it relates to abortion? Join David and Scott for a respectful dialogue (and a discussion of that very respectful dialogue) as Morning Drive Bible continues its series on the serious and polarizing topic of abortion.

David adds a new wrinkle in the newest Morning Drive Bible discussion of abortion: apart from the legal question itself, should a Jewish person who is pro-life actively protest abortions? And would that be a Biblical mandate?

If Jewish law prohibits "placing a stumbling block before the blind" - that is, aiding and abetting prohibited activity - does this mean that Jewish people should actively protest pro abortion laws in the United States?

After thirteen episodes in which they hammered out the main issues dividing the pro-life and pro-choice positions within Jewish tradition, David and Scott summarize their conclusions in this important episode of Morning Drive Bible.

In Numbers 11, the Children of Israel complain about their menu options... and in the middle of the narrative, Moses appoints 70 elders to help him lead the people... and in the middle of THAT narrative, two individuals suddenly start prophesying in some mysterious way not fully explicated in the text. What is going on???

Moses was overwhelmed in Exodus 18, and adopted Jethro's solution of having subsidiary courts. Moses was overwhelmed in Numbers 11, and G-d provides him with 70 elders who will help him bear the burden of leadership. What's the difference between the two situations and the two solutions?

Some verses are easier to understand than others, but Numbers 11:26-29 present enigma, ambiguity, and mystery. What is going on, and what does it have to do with the Holy Spirit? Join David and Scott to find out more.

We have seen that the prophecy of Eldad and Medad in Numbers 11 caused tremendous consternation... but we have no idea of what they actually said. David and Scott offer one possibility, based on traditional exegesis, which also helps explain the episode in the larger context of the Book of Numbers.

So many ambiguities, so little time. Who is the "na'ar" - the young man or lad - referenced in Numbers 11, who reports the unknown prophecy of Eldad and Medad to Moses? Why does Joshua intervene? And what does Moses' response teach us about his greatness, despite the people's apparent rejection of his leadership?

Eldad and Medad received their prophetic inspiration from Moses, and yet their prophecy apparently cast doubts upon Moses' leadership. Join David and Scott for a discussion about the strength of the individual spirit within a standardized normative structure, and the need for prophets to get people back on the right track - even if it means disagreeing with the leaders of the religious community.

Did Eldad and Medad prophesy about the war of Gog and Magog, and the End of Days? Where is this possibility alluded to in the Bible? Join David and Scott for a fascinating "left turn" away from the previous interpretations of Numbers 11, into a discussion of eschatology and the Messianic Era.

Was there once a book of the prophecies of Eldad and Medad... and might the text in Numbers 11 even hint to it? Join David and Scott to find out!

When David and Scott investigate why the End of Days is hinted at in the Book of Numbers, they discover that history could have turned out very differently - and that most of the Bible might have been omitted altogether. Find out why on a fascinating episode of Morning Drive Bible.

The Holy Spirit may be experienced without prophecy, but prophecy requires the Holy Spirit. Join David and Scott for their final look at the Eldad and Meidad narrative, and their discussion of whether the Holy Spirit still can be found today.

David and Scott begin an investigation of the Spirit of G-d mentioned in the second verse of the Bible... after first discussing another modern miracle taking place in the State of Israel.

"In the Beginning G-d created the heavens and the earth." It's perhaps the simplest verse in the Bible - and David and Scott are already arguing over the correct translation. Join them for an eye-opening episode!

Although we can learn philosophy from the Torah, it is not a philosophical book; instead, it is a guide for living. In that case, what is the story of creation doing there in the first place?

Is G-d "created"? The answer is obviously no... or so you would think. But on this episode of Morning Drive Bible, David and Scott offer a radical yet traditional understanding that may upend your entire idea of the divine.

In our last episode, David and Scott offered a radical - yet traditional - understanding of the first three words of the Bible. But how does that jive with the rest of the verse? Listen in and discover the answer, along with a fascinating new way of understanding the purpose of language.

David and Scott suggested that there is a language of heaven distinct from the language of earth; but what is this language, exactly? Can we know? Shabbat might give us a clue.

The Bible uses numerous names of G-d; why is the name associated with Divine power and judgment used in the first verse of Genesis? And what does that tell us about the way we are supposed to relate to Him?

David and Scott disagree about what was created first: heaven and earth, or light. But they both are puzzled by the appearance of "darkness." If it's there, G-d must have created it; but if darkness is merely the absence of light, how can it be a created entity? Listen to this episode of Morning Drive Bible and discover a revolutionary new approach to the meaning of creation itself.

Genesis 1:2 tells us that before G-d created light, there was seemingly unending chaos and darkness. How can G-d be found there - and what message does this provide for us today?

David and Scott finally reach the goal of their discussion of the first verses of Genesis: namely, translating the second verse of the Bible. But David offers five different potential translations - including one that Christians find compelling, and Jews do not accept. Listen in to find out more.

When G-d created the world, three "elements" appear to be present before anything else: water, darkness, and the spirit of G-d. Are these the ingredients of future creation?

Darkness. Water. The Spirit of G-d. What do these enigmatic terms really mean? Join David and Scott for a deep dive into the spiritual reality that underlies the second verse of Genesis.

Last time we learned that the concepts of Divine absence and Divine presence were formed at the dawn of Creation. But how can two absolute opposites coexist? Join David and Scott to discover depths in Genesis you never before imagined.

David and Scott have already decoded the deep symbolism of "darkness," "water," and "wind" in Genesis 1:2. But why was darkness - that is, G-d's hiddenness - created before water, which symbolizes His presence? If G-d's giving, kindness, and mercy are primary, why were they created after the darkness of apparent Divine absence?

As the Hebrew month of Elul begins, and Jews around the world begin preparations for the High Holidays, David and Scott discuss the nature of the Jewish prayer book, and assert that it represents the true catechism of Judaism.

David and Scott give a quick tour through the daily prayers to demonstrate that the liturgy of the Jewish people is also a primary guide to Jewish theology and belief.

In Selichot - the penitential prayers said by Jews to prepare for the new year - we ask G-d not to remove His holy spirit from "us." What does that teach us about the reality of the holy spirit, and its manifestation in the community?

David and Scott investigate a liturgical verse, paraphrased from Psalm 51, which implies that the holy spirit is inherent in the People of Israel... but that its purpose is not for them, but for all the nations of the world.

As Jews prepare to celebrate the High Holidays, culminating in the Feast of Tabernacles, David and Scott discuss why celebrating in Israel is a unique experience - regardless of whether someone is Jewish or not. Can you visit Israel this year? If you can, consider this an invitation to the spiritual experience of a lifetime!

Psalm 51 - paraphrased in a key line of the Selichot liturgy - is David's prayer after Nathan the prophet confronted him with the reality of David's sinful behavior. What is the background to this Psalm, and what can it teach us about the true nature of repentance?

David admitted his sin to Nathan the prophet, and was forgiven; Saul admitted his sin to Samuel the prophet, but still suffered dire consequences. David and Scott discuss the differences between the two situations, and what it can teach us about our own repentance.

Is repentance automatic, or can G-d choose to reject repentance? By investigating the contrasting stories of King David and King Saul, David and Scott offer a fascinating theological insight that can help us all build a more meaningful relationship with G-d.

Although G-d promises to forgive a person who sincerely repents, does that mean that the consequences of sin are erased, as well? Join David and Scott for a discussion about repentance, and the Jewish concept of "Original Consequences."

According to classic Jewish thought, repentance requires three specific ingredients in order to fully restore our relationship with G-d - one of which is confession. Join David and Scott as they investigate the importance of verbal confession, and discuss what it is and what it is not.

In the Jewish tradition, it's not enough to ask G-d to forgive us; we also must ask our friends whom we've wronged to forgive us, as well. Where do we see this idea in the Bible - and how does it relate to The West Wing? Join David and Scott to find out.

Many Jewish families have a custom to eat symbolic foods at night on Rosh Hashanah, but Scott and his family have their own tradition that mystifies New Yorker David. Does Bob Kraft owe the Patriots' success to a Jewish family in Beit Shemesh, Israel? Listen in to find out.

The ram's horn - shofar - that Jews blow on Rosh Hashanah evokes a sense of weeping or sighing. But it also reminds us of Abraham's almost-sacrifice of Isaac. Join David and Scott to find out more.

The Torah mandates that we blow the shofar only nine times - that is, nine shofar blasts - on Rosh Hashanah; but the Jewish people universally blow at least thirty, and usually many more. Where does this tradition come from, and what does it reveal about the unity of Israel?

When David and Scott wish our listeners a shana tova - a good (not only happy) new year - are they talking only to Jews or to all of mankind? Is Rosh Hashanah a holiday for Jews or for the entire world? Join Morning Drive Bible to find out!   (Please note that Morning Drive Bible will not be released next Monday and Tuesday, which is Rosh Hashanah; we will resume broadcasting on Wednesday morning.)

Today is the Fast of Gedaliah - a Biblical fast not mandated by the Torah. What is it, why do Jews fast on this date, and what does it teach us about how we should behave?

The Bible states that the four fasts that commemorate tragic events in Jewish history will one day be days of feasting. It's one thing to say that we won't dwell on the bad stuff; but why celebrate on those days? Join David and Scott to find out.

On Wednesday, Jews around the world will celebrate the Day of Atonement. But Jewish tradition states that G-d forgives us whenever we turn to Him in heartfelt repentance. Why, then, is there a Day of Atonement at all? Join David and Scott to learn one of the secrets of Yom Kippur.

As we prepare to experience the sacred day of Yom Kippur, David and Scott discuss the definition of repentance, the liturgy of the Day of Atonement, and the deeper meaning behind the shofar blasts that are blown at Yom Kippur's conclusion. May we all be inscribed in the Book of Life!

As David and Scott prepare for the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles - Sukkot - they discuss the apparent paradox that the holiday is called "The Season of Our Gladness," while it simultaneously conveys the message that nothing is permanent. Can those two thoughts work together? You better believe it - and you will, after listening to today's episode. (Morning Drive Bible will release some older episodes during the holiday; we will be back with new episodes after Sukkot, starting Wednesday, October 23rd.)

How could the Israelites bow down to the golden calf in the desert, a mere forty days after receiving the Torah? Join David and Scott for the first of a series where they examine this difficult event. 

Moses asks G-d why He is angry with Israel... who just bowed down to a golden calf a mere forty days after receiving the Torah. What kind of question is that?!

When the Bible describes G-d as being angry, does that mean that He literally is angry, or is it purely a metaphor? David and Scott reflect two traditions as they debate this important point on this episode of Morning Drive Bible.

Israel bowed down to the golden calf, and Moses said to G-d, "Why are You angry?" What kind of question is that? What is Moses arguing? And that leads to a different question: what was the nature of the sin itself?

David asks Scott for his Mickey Mouse watch... and Scott needs a good reason to actually give it to him. Believe it or not, this relates directly to Aaron's plan when he was faced with the golden calf.

The people want a new leader. Aaron wants to delay until Moses returns. What was his plan - and how did it backfire?

After ths sin of the golden calf, Moses asks G-d, "Why are You angry?" Does this make any sense? OF COURSE G-d is angry! Join David and Scott as they investigate the logic of Moses' question.

G-d is the G-d of truth, and His word stands forever. So how can Moses presume to actually change His mind?

As the people are clamoring to celebrate this new golden calf, Aaron tries to delay the festivities to the next day, and to shift them into a holiday for the Lord. But early the next morning, the people "make merry." Is that really such a bad thing?

When the people saw the golden calf, the Bible reports that, "They said, 'This is your god, O Israel, who took you up from the land of Egypt.'" (Exodus 32:4) Who is speaking? If it's Israel, why are they seemingly speaking to themselves? If it's not Israel, who else could it be? Tune in for the surprising answer.

Are the Jewish People responsible only for each other... or also for the moral wellbeing of all humanity? Listen in to find out! (Plus: a discussion about the Jewish attitude towards the United States of America.)

What is the concept of "Sanctification of the Divine Name," what does it have to do with Israel's mission, and how is it related to Moses' argument to G-d not to destroy the Children of Israel after the sin of the golden calf?

As missles fall over southern and central Israel, David and Scott offer their reactions to the situation on this special bonus episode of Morning Drive Bible. Please share so that people know the truth of what's happening in Israel.

When Moses asks G-d to "Turn Away from Your Anger, and Repent of the Evil Plan Against Your People," is this an argument or a prayer? Join David and Scott as they hash out this Scriptural question.

David - with great humility - agrees with Scott's point that Moses' third argument was actually a prayer after all; meanwhile, Scott backtracks and claims that there's no difference between an argument and a prayer, anyway. Join the discussion and let us know what you think!

Moses' fourth argument after the sin of the golden calf is that G-d should remember the merit of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. What, exactly, is this merit, and whom does it affect? Plus: the importance of wearing seat belts, and the real-life reality of the rewind button.

According to an ancient tradition, Abraham was thrown into a fiery furnace because of his faith - yet he survived. How did this moment forever affect the future of the People of Israel?

Each of the ancestors of the Jewish People contributed something unique to the Jewish story and the Israelite DNA. What was the specific merit that came from Isaac?

How exactly does the merit of the forefathers mitigate the divine punishments of fire, sword, and exile? Join David and Scott to learn about "zechut avot" - the merit of the fathers.

There is an ancient Jewish tradition that claims that the merit of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob can be used up - and, in fact, was used up many years ago. Yet Jewish liturgy constantly invokes the merit of the fathers, as well. What's going on?

On the one hand, Jewish tradition says that the merit of the forefathers was used up during the First Temple period; on the other hand, our ancestors are mentioned to this day in Jewish liturgy, and we see their merit hinted at in the Bible even after the First Temple's destruction. Join David and Scott for an enlightening explanation of this dichotomy that is relevant to our own understanding of G-d's place in our lives.

New elections - again - in Israel, and a prime minister under threat of indictment. Impeachment hearings in the United States. Brexit throwing the United Kingdom into turmoil. The whole world feels enveloped in chaos. While every country is involved in its own problems, what is G-d's plan?

David and Scott offer a history lesson about Thanksgiving, and explain why all people of faith should be grateful to G-d for the gift of America. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Book learning is wonderful, but nothing compares to actually witnessing the actions of our great teachers. Join David and Scott as they discuss this idea, and how it relates to Moses' breaking of the Tablets of the Law.

G-d recites the thirteen attributes of mercy before Moses... and Jewish tradition says that G-d metaphorically appeared as a prayer leader when He did so. What does this teach us about the reason that the Bible relates G-d's praises?

G-d informs Moses that whenever Israel recites the thirteen attributes of mercy, He will forgive them. Doesn't this sound like a type of magic trick? Isn't prayer supposed to be about building a relationship with G-d, rather than the mindless recitation of a formula? Join David and Scott as they tackle this difficult question and, in the process, help us understand the place of standardized prayer.

The thirteen attributes of divine mercy that appear in Exodus 34 begin with the name of G-d mentioned three times - the Tetragrammaton twice, and then the Hebrew word for "G-d." Are these all counted among the thirteen, and if so, what do they mean? Listen to David and Scott duke it out in today's Morning Drive Bible.

The Bible offers two lists of G-d's thirteen attributes of mercy: one in Exodus, and one in the Book of Micah. How do they correspond to each other? Join David and Scott to find out.

Who would ever use Mapquest instead of Waze?! Why, Waze helps you avoid problems that you didn't even anticipate, whereas Mapquest doesn't let you avoid anything! But David argues that in our journey to G-d, Mapquest is the way to go - and is the means to achieve authentic spiritual growth.

"I place the Lord before me always" - a beautiful sentiment. But why is it a key idea in repentance? And what does it teach me about the possibility of gaining confidence in myself?

David continues his explication of the five verses that present the keys to repentance with "Love your neighbor as yourself." It's a very important idea, but how is it related to our return to G-d?

The verse in Proverbs 3:6 states, "Know Him in all your ways." David and Scott explain how this is an important ingredient in the fight against moral relativism.

As we conclude our journey through the five verses of repentance, David explains why "walking humbly with G-d" is a key component of return.

The American strike against Qassam Soleimani was a strike against a terrorist mastermind with the blood of thousands on his hands. But what does the world's reaction to it tell us about antisemitism?And is Israel in danger? Join David and Scott for an important discussion.

Progressive values can be beautiful and moral; however, there are some people who, in their zeal for progressivism, create moral equivalencies which are outrageous. Join David and Scott in a further discussion about antisemitism and the reactions to Trump's strike against Qassam Soleimani.

Antisemitism isn't a disease of either side of the aisle; no matter your political persuasion, you can find it on your side. Join David and Scott for a disturbing yet important discussion about the latest antisemitic attacks in New York.

Do Christians believe that Jesus was a Jew, or that Jesus is a Jew? The difference is more than semantics, and might provide an opening to help people of good will combat antisemitism. Join David and Scott for a crucial discussion about what you can do to help the Jewish people.