The Tanakh Podcast

Follow The Tanakh Podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Study Tanakh with Rav Alex Israel. 5-10 mins. One chapter a day. 929 schedule.

Alex Israel


    • Aug 5, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 11m AVG DURATION
    • 736 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Tanakh Podcast is a podcast that delves into the wisdom and teachings of the Tanakh, providing concise and powerful insights into various aspects of faith, including God, Torah, Israel, community, and family. Inspired by the works of R. Soloveitchik and R. Sacks, this podcast offers listeners an opportunity to uplift their spirits and deepen their understanding in short, digestible episodes. Hosted by R. Israel, this podcast brings together bite-sized nuggets of wisdom that are perfect for those with limited attention spans, offering 10-minute episodes that are both insightful and thought-provoking.

    One of the best aspects of The Tanakh Podcast is its ability to distill complex concepts into easily understandable insights. R. Israel's concise delivery allows listeners to absorb profound teachings in a short amount of time without feeling overwhelmed. This format is particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle to concentrate for long periods but still wish to engage with religious teachings and expand their knowledge in a meaningful way. Additionally, the inclusion of special songs related to each day's topic adds an extra layer of depth and connection to the material being discussed.

    However, one possible drawback of The Tanakh Podcast is its brevity. While the short-form episodes work well for some individuals seeking quick bursts of inspiration or information, others may find themselves craving more in-depth discussions or analysis on certain topics. This limitation might leave some listeners wanting more depth and exploration beyond what can be covered in just 10 minutes.

    In conclusion, The Tanakh Podcast offers a unique approach to exploring the wisdom found within the Tanakh by presenting concise yet powerful insights into various aspects of faith. R. Israel's delivery style and inclusion of related songs help create an uplifting listening experience that is both accessible and thought-provoking. While some listeners may desire more extensive coverage on certain topics due to the podcast's brevity, overall it provides valuable nuggets of wisdom for individuals looking to deepen their understanding of God, Torah, Israel, community, and family.



    Search for episodes from The Tanakh Podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Tanakh Podcast

    Chronicles 2 ch.21 - Yehoram: Murder, Idolatry, Invasion, Illness

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 12:31


    King Yehoram follows the exemplary King Yeshoshafat, but he brings the murderous, idolatrous northern culture to Jerusalem. He receives a warning letter from (the deceased) Elijah the prophet. Things do not end well for Yehoram. He kills his brothers - all his sons but one are murdered; and he dies of an awful intestinal disease.

    Chronicles 2 ch.20 - God's War

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 16:22


    In an episode not recorded by Sefer Melakhim, Yehoshafat is attacked and invaded by three foreign powers. He launches a counterattack, but it is God who is really fights the war.

    Chronicles 2 ch.19 - Justice!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2025 13:16


    Yeshoshafat is reprimanded by the prophet.His response is to embark on a campaign to bring justice to the land.

    Chronicles 2 ch.18 - Jewish Unity? Secular & Religious

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 13:33


    The righteous Yehoshafat has his son marry Ahab's daughter. They launch a joint military campaign. Now Ahab is the most evil and idolatrous of kings. His wife actively persecutes God's prophets. Ahab's greatest critic is Eliyahu Hanavi.Jewish unity is nice. But should Yehoshafat be associating with this sinful king, let alone marry his son to his daughter?The prophet at the start of ch.19 severely reprimands Yehoshafat "Do you assist the sinner, and love those who hate God?" And so, today, in honour of Tisha BAv, we discuss our relationship with non-observant Jews.

    Chronicles 2 ch.17 - Yehoshafat: Pride in God

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 8:48


    Today we begin 4 chapters about King Yehoshafat who teaches Torah and is rewarded with wealth, power and influence.

    Chronicles 2 ch.16 - Assa's Downturn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 13:37


    Up to this point, Assa has a stellar record in biblical terms. But now, he makes a "covenant" with Syria (rather than God), relies on himself (rather than God) and ignores, even imprisons the prophet , oppresses his people, and when he gets sick consults with doctors (rather than God.)This is Assa's downturn.But he gets a very nice funeral!! ;-)

    Chronicles 2 ch.15 - Religious Renewal at the Temple

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 10:27


    Assa leads the country to rid itself of idolatry.He then convenes the nation at the Temple to renew their allegiance to God.

    Chronicles 2 ch.14 - King Assa

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2025 10:49


    Today we discuss some of the typical features that characterize the depictions of kings in Divrei Hayamim.

    Chronicles 2 ch.13 - Civil War!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2025 11:48


    King Avia (Yehuda) and King Yerovam (North - Israel) go to war.500,000 dead!Does Divrei Hayamim side with Avia or Yerovam? Why?And how about Hazal?

    Chronicles 2 ch.12 - Sin and Punishment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 13:05


    After chapter 11 positive assessment of Rechavam, the ling and people abandon God, and God abandons them.Today we talk about many features of Divrei Hayamim - the democratic nature of the connection between king and nation; and the theology of action and its consequent reward and punishment as reflected in Divrei Hayamim.

    Chronicles 2 ch.11 - Rechavam's Achievements

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2025 11:28


    If last chapter, Rechavam makes quite a blunder losing the 10 northern tribes and splitting the kingdom, chapter 11 offers many of Rechavam's achievements. But his success is only going to last as long as he follows God! In ch.12 he abandons God and it all falls apart!

    Chronicles 2 ch.10 - The Kingdom Splits!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 14:55


    After Solomon, the kingdom splits into two states - Ephraim and Yehudah.Today we address the friction between these two factions, going back to Rachel and Leah, and forward to the days of the Messiah.

    Chronicles 2 ch.9 - Fame and Fortune

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2025 12:54


    This chapter discusses the state visits of foreign kings and queens, but more than anything we find it replete with gold (16 mentions) and silver (4 mentions).Is this good news or bad news?

    Chronicles 2 ch.8 - The Sailors of King Solomon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2025 15:18


    Today we discuss the contradictions between Sefer MEalkhim and Chronicles. And we discuss the music that has been the soundtrack of our podcast:Lyrics of the song HebrewEnglish Versions of the songTraditional version - Elana RubinaJazz version - Avishai CohenA little more about the poem/song - here

    Chronicles 2 ch.7 - The Great Deuteronomic Caveat

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 8:45


    Solomon has prayed. Will God respond?He does. Fire descends from heaven. This is followed by much celebration.But after it is all over, God appears yet again to Solomon and, on the one hand, asserts that he has accepted Solomon's prayer. On the other hand he warns that any promises are conditional. If the Torah and it slaws are not observed, then all the promises will be reneged. As we show, this is fundamentally the covenant of Sefer Devarim - of Deuteronomy.

    Chronicles 2 ch.6 - God in the Temple, or in the Heavens?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2025 9:21


    Is God in the Temple? Or in the Heavens?

    Chronicles 2 ch.5 - What was inside the Holy of Holies?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 15:39


    What was inside the Holy of Holies?Did Solomon make adjustments to the Ark of the Covenant?What was inside the Ark of the Covenant?

    Chronicles 2 ch.4 - Bronze Vessels

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2025 10:50


    Today we speak about a whole groups of new additions to the Temple: Bronze pillars, a huge water receptacle called the "Yam", a new altar far larger than Moses' original, 10 tables, 10 basins, ten Menorahs. Why do we need all this furniture?What was the permissibility of these new additions to the Sanctuary?

    Chronicles 2 ch.3 - Outward Facing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2025 15:01


    Today we discuss 4 topics.1. The identification of the Temple altar as a historic site of sacrifice.2. The image of the palm tree as a Judean royal symbol3. Interesting Hebrew words in ch.2 and 34. The "outward facing" cherubs.

    Chronicles II ch.2 - Solomon and Hiram . A Religious Alliance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 11:26


    Solomon wastes no time. He organizes a lobor force and gets to work on the Temple project. He appeals to Hiram, King of Tyre, asking him to provide timber to build the Temple.In today's podcast we discuss the contrast and divergence between the account of the Solomon-Hiram alliance in the Book of Kings/Melakhim, and here in Divrei Hayamim.

    Chronicles II ch.1 - Unifying the Mikdash

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2025 11:14


    In this chapter, Solomon travels to Gibeon to bring sacrifices there.What is Gibeon? Why is Solomon sacrificing there?How does this play a role in Solomon's life? In the story of the Temple?

    Chronicles I ch.29 - Donations of the Heart

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025 10:41


    With this chapter Solomon is crowned and David dies.The final lines that we hear from David are incorporated into our prayer book. It is a chapter that talks about the participation of the nation, about the motivations of the heart, and about God's greatness.

    Chronicles I ch.28 - Solomon's Accession

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2025 14:49


    This is the account of 1. Shelomo's accession to the throne2. The transmission of the Temple project from David to Shelomo

    Chronicles I ch.27 - Officers of the State

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2025 9:42


    This chapter moves on from the Temple and itemizes four areas of David's national infrastructure:1. The army reserves2. Tribal leaders3. Stewards of the king4. David's Cabinet and Advisory

    Chronicles I ch.26 - The Temple Guards

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025 11:32


    Our chapter continues to delineate the roles of the Levites. Three roles are described:1. Guards and gatekeepers2. Treasurers and Officials responsible for the storehouses3. Magistrates and Law Enforcement (Police)We shall discuss the need for guards and gatekeepers in the Temple.

    Chronicles I ch.25 - Music and Prophecy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2025 10:51


    In our chapter, Kind David organizes the musical guilds of the Levites, yet again dividing them into 24 groups. We hear names familiar from Tehillim - Heman, Yedutoun and Assaf. But we will focus on the verb nb"a or נב"א which seems to be indicative of prophecy, and yet, here expresses music. What is the relationship between music and prophecy?

    Chronicles I ch.24 - The Twenty-Four Priestly Guilds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 8:14


    In this chapter we see a list of the twenty-four "orders" or guilds, our "houses" of the priesthood.What were these groups? How did this division into priestly sub-groups work?

    Chronicles I ch.23 - Who is Rechavia?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2025 11:41


    In Chapter 23 David takes a census of the Levites and assigns them to one of four divisions:1. Management and supervision of the Construction of the Temple2. Shoftim and Shotrim - Law (and order)3. Gatekeepers4. Song and musicWe also read about Moshe's sons and grabdchildren for the first time in Tanakh! And this is where we meet Rechavia

    Chronicles I ch.22 - "Much!" - Iron, Copper, Wood ... Blood!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2025 12:12


    David passes the baton to Solomon and instructs him to build the Mikdash. In this chapter we hear David instructing Solomon what his priorities should be.

    Chronicles I ch.21 - Discovering Har Habayit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025 12:52


    In this sweeping story of sin, atonement, sacrifice and atonement, the site of the Temple will be discovered and purchased by David Hamelech.See also our commentary to Shmuel Bet ch,24

    Chronicles I ch.20 - The Sorting Hat (or Crown!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025 10:14


    Chapter 20 re-narrates various military escapades of David and his warriors.We shall address two particular details:1. The royal crown of Ammon; why the Tanakh wants to tell us about it., and the legends that were told.2. Who killed Goliath? We shall see how Divrei Hayamim resolves a particularly thorny contradiction in the Book of Samuel.

    Chronicles ch.19 - How to Fight a War

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025 11:33


    Diplomatic insults, proxies, war cameraderie, war strategy. This chapter looks like current events!David sends an official delegation to console Hanun, King of Ammon, after the death of his father.Hannun uses this as an opportunity to shame David and ti declare war.David sends the army under Yoav's leadership.What we see next is a masterclass of how to function under testing circumstances. See the parallel chapter in 2 Samuel ch.10 and our podcast on that chapter. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2waGIgHXDfDGPiNfYCFK5d?si=6161b641a8e243ad

    Chronicles I ch.18 - King David's Spiritual Priorities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2025 13:01


    Today while the subject of the chapter is David's wars, we focus upon David's spiritual values:1. Not taking the masses of horses for war purposes - as instructed by the Torah2. Not amassing wealth but dedicating it to the Temple.3. Establishing a regime of Justice and Compassion. In this regard, King David is an unusual warlord.

    Chronicles I ch.17 - House of God - House of David

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2025 11:08


    In our chapter, David requests to build the Temple, a "house" for God.God defers the request. No David cannot build the House, says God, but "I will build YOU a house" - your son will succeed you and "He will build ME a house.Today we discuss this reciprocal relationship between the Divine and the Worldly, and we talk about the theology of Divrei Hayamim - that the Throne of David is the embodiment of God's sovereignty.See also our podcast on Shmuel Bet ch.7https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nRIHjRIXgJoiApSUPEWQV?si=4c252f35b52a42f9

    Chronicles I ch.16 - Song and Praise

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025 13:36


    David installs the Aron in Jerusalem. What type of worship will take place there? If we take our cue from Divrei Hayamim it is music, song! This is the first time that a fixed liturgy has been instituted to be recited daily. This prayer is actually in our daily siddur!

    Chronicles I ch.15 - The Procession of the Aron

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 12:49


    Chapter 15 depicts the (successful) procession of the Aron to Jerusalem. The account in Sefer Shmuel (Book of Samuel ch.6) is so passionate. Our chapter is so technical, filled as it is with names and roles of the Levitical families. Beyond Chronicles' seeming obsession with names, what drives our chapter differently to the narrative in Shmuel?

    Chronicles 1 ch.14 - International Recognition and Military Victory

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 11:28


    In this chapter, David discerns that God is with him, by means of foreign recognition of his rule, and by his victory over the Philistines.

    Chronicles I ch.13 - The Ark Slips. Uzza Falls.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2025 14:36


    David tries to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. But there is a tragedy which brings the celebratory national procession to an abrupt end.What is the place of this episode in the broader storyline of Sefer Divrei Hayamim?

    Chronicles I ch.12 - Tribal Specialities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2025 14:05


    Reading the details of this chapter we encounter some unique features of the tribes of Binyamin, Gad and Yissachar.

    Chronicles I ch.11 - King David's Coronation!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 13:10


    Divrei Hayamim is a master of rewriting history, and ch.11-12 is a masterpiece. On the backdrop of David's coronation in Hevron, Divrei Hayamim gives us the perfect unity of Israel, all rallied around David, Jerusalem - and all designated by God. In practice, history was far more messy, but there is a difference between history and collective memory.

    Chronicles I ch.10 - The Death of King Saul

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025 11:53


    The narrative segment of Divrei Hayamim opens with Shaul's tragic death. This is the only story of Saul's life. why does Div Hayamim choose to begin at this exact point? Since the author of Div. Hayamim is a very discerning historian, highly attentive to his task, the choice of a beginning must be deliberate and meaningful. What is he trying to communicate?

    Chronicles I ch.9 - Secrets of the Levites

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 9:58


    Our chapter is concerned with:1. The inhabitants of Jerusalem... especially the Levitic role2. The genealogy of King Saul.We will focus on the particular responsibilities of the Levitic guilds, holding traditions which stretch from Samuel and the Tabernacle in Shiloh until the end of the Second Temple.

    Chronicles I ch.8 - The Tribe of Benjamin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2025 10:17


    Does Divrei Hayamim venerate the tribe of Benjamin or see them somehow as defective? The answer is complex as we shall see.

    Chronicles I ch.7 - Lost Records, and a Premature Exodus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2025 12:32


    Why is there so little information on the settlements of the tribes Yissachar, Naftali and Asher? The key information is a military roster from David's army, not a register of villages and towns.And we shall visit verse 21 and a curious Midrash about the Tribe of Efrayim who left Egypt too early and who were massacred.

    Chronicles I ch.6 - The Choir of the Leviim

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 12:03


    Chapter 5-6 depict the tribe of Levi. Divrei Hayamim introduces the musical flair of the Levites and the introduction of music into the arena of the Temple, it would seem by King David.

    Chronicles I ch.5 - The Tribe of Reuven

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 13:17


    The genealogy of Reuven contains many classic theological features of Divrei Hayamim. We bring these into focus.

    Chronicles I ch.4 - The Midrashic Meaning of Names

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 14:00


    Divrei Hayamim I ch.4 is filled yet again with names. Whereas much of teh detail here seem incosequential to us, Midrash uses these texts as a commentary about some of the familiar heroes of Tanakh.

    Chronicles 1 ch.3 - The House of David

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 8:36


    This genealogical list gives us the family tree of the House of David.It is amazing what one can learn from a simple list of names.

    Chronicles 1 Ch.2 - The Tribe of Yehuda

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2025 9:53


    From the universal we turn to the family tree of Yehuda and we meed personalities like Achan, Hur, Betzalel, Calev and ... David, later to be king.Today we describe how several of the chapter's features match the agenda of Divrei Hayamim.

    Chronicles 1 Ch.1 - Introduction to the Sefer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 10:13


    In this podcast we offer an introduction to the structure and themes of Divrei Hayamim.

    Nehemiah ch.13 - New Laws to Bolster Judaism

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 13:47


    Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and finds that Toviah has a office in the Temple (- he throws him out -) , that Shabbat is being widely broken in Jerusalem, and that intermarriage continues among the elites of the city.We discuss the manner in which the rabbinic tradition took these areas of weakness and enacted new laws to bolster religious observance. It might be that Judaism has only survived due to these changes.

    Claim The Tanakh Podcast

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel