The Tanakh Podcast

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

Alex Israel


    • Oct 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 11m AVG DURATION
    • 797 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.



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    Latest episodes from The Tanakh Podcast

    #46 | Genesis ch.45 - "God sent me here!"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2025 12:23


    How can the stories we tell of our lives reshape our experience of reality? That is the question we will ponder as we read Joseph's explanation of his story, that he is a tool in God's plan. Will this have the ability to reshape the traumas of the past?

    #45 | Genesis ch.44 - Healing the Past

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2025 12:17


    The Joseph story reaches its climax when Joseph breaks down and reveals his true identity to his brothers. But why does he break down at this particular moment?

    #44 | Genesis ch.43 - Resurfacing the Past

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2025 13:26


    Today we demonstrate many aspects of the Joseph story that revisit and resurface aspects of the events of the past, and allow the characters to grapple with the moral and emotional implications of the events twenty years earlier.

    #43 | Genesis ch.42 - Why did Joseph Torment his Brothers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2025 17:58


    The brothers come down to Egypt. Joseph identifies them. He starts a series of false accusations, incriminations and manipulations. Why did Yoseph torment and torture his brother (and his father)? Was it pure vindictiveness?

    #42 | Genesis ch.41 - Joseph becomes the Egyptian Viceroy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2025 17:44


    Pharaoh has 2 bafflng dreams. The butler recalls Yoseph. Yoseph is summoned to the palace, he dazzles Pharaoh with his dream interpretation, and is appointed to the highest office in the land.Today we focus on two points.1. Joseph's growing God awareness and his perception that his life is guided by God2. His integration into Egyptian culture. This leaves us with the question - which I think Joseph might have asked himself - will he ever return to his family?

    #41 | Genesis ch.40 - One Dream or Two?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2025 15:41


    Joseph finds himself in jail - the pit. Again!And yet again, he is recognized for his tremendous leadership abilities and promoted to supervise the jail.He encounters the butler and the baker and interprets their dreams. Are their dreams similar or different? Why do we need to hear the details of these dreams? What does this contribute to the central storyline?

    #40 | Genesis ch.39 - Joseph's Seduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 12:35


    The Rabbis call Joseph "Yoseph HaTzaddik" because he resists the seduction of Mrs. Potiphar. What can we learn from this story?

    #39 | Genesis ch.38 - Yehuda & Tamar and the Lessons of Responsibility

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 15:24


    Why is a random story about Yehudah and his daughter-in-law inserted into the Joseph saga?Why did Yehudah visit a prostitute?And what did Tamar teach Yehuda that changed the course of the family - and Jewish history?

    #38 | Genesis ch.37 - Joseph: Dreams and Vision

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2025 14:20


    Would you kill someone because of their dreams?Why are the brothers so agitated, so aggravated by Joseph's dreams?

    #37 | Genesis ch.36 - The Kingdom of Edom

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2025 10:44


    Before we leave Esav we list his extensive progeny - children, military generals and kings. Esav would appear to have a kingdom that is fully formed, way before Israel become a nation. And that might be the point!I referenced this article in the podcast https://www.alexisrael.org/single-post/2019/12/12/vayishlach-insignificant-verses-really

    #36 | Genesis ch.35 - Twelve Tribes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 15:55


    In this chapterYaakov and family return to Beit El to fulfil Yaakov's vowYaakov's name-change is ratified by GodRachel goes into labor and dies in childbirth. Benjamin is born. The 12th son.Reuven's sin.In our podcast today, we weave these episodes into a single story.

    #35 | Bereshit ch.34 - Shimon, Levi and the Etnhics of Violence

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 18:05


    Dinah is raped and abducted.Shimon and Levi rescue her, and murder the people of Shchem.Were they justified?Why did Yaakov rebuke them?

    #34 | Genesis ch.33 - Be Yourself!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 12:46


    In our chapter 33, after a nail-biting tense chapter of worried anticipation, Yaakov and Esav meet. But there is little animosity here. There is a hug, a kiss, tears. Like long lost brothers, Esav asks Yaakov about his family, his wivesand kids; Yaakov offers him gifts, Esav suggests that they travel together, Yaakov politely refuses. Where did all the tension go?

    #33 | Genesis ch.32 - Jacob's Fear

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2025 17:06


    Jacob is returning to Canaan. He notifies his brother Esau. HE gets a message: Esav is coming to meet you with 400 men.Yaakov is petrified. He suspects that Esav is coming to massacre him and his household!But when the brothers meet, Esav simply hugs Yaakov and expresses brotherly love.Did Yaakov misunderstand Esav?What is the drama here?

    #32 | Bereshit ch.31 - Yaakov's Integrity

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2025 16:24


    Why did Yaakov need to leave Haran like a thief in the night?Why did Yaakov need to cheat Lavan by secret "genetic engineering" of his herds?Who is the cheat - Lavan or Yaakov?In this podcast we demonstrate Yaakov's stellar moral integrity and Lavan's manipulative treatment of Yaakov and his family.

    #31 | Genesis ch.30 - Rachel and Leah

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 16:16


    Our chapter demonstrates the phenomenal tension between Rachel and Leah and the strong emotions that rage in the family. We discuss the characters of these two matriarchs and preset a framework to appreciate their unique strengths.

    #30 | Genesis ch.29 - Challenges of Exile

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 16:54


    We shall read chapter 29 as slowly exposing several of the challenges - personal and moral - that Yaakov will face in his sojourn in Haran - the challenges of Exile.

    #29 | Genesis ch.28 - Jacob's Ladder

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2025 16:44


    Why does God appear to Yaakov at Beit-El? Why now?What is the meaning of the dream about the ladder? And why does Yaakov respond by setting up a stone pillar?

    #28 | Genesis ch.27 - Yaakov Steals the Blessing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2025 15:37


    Why did Yaakov steal the blessings?Was he (and Rivka) correct?Can a blessing be stolen?

    #27 | Genesis ch.26 - Yitzchak's Tenacity

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2025 16:29


    Each of the "Avot" represent a unique contribution to the mosaic of Jewish existence and ideas.Today we probe what Yitzchak - in many ways the most hidden of all the Avot - represents.

    #26 | Genesis ch.25 - Yaakov and Esav

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 17:01


    Yaakov and Esav commence their rivalry in the womb. The forces that drive them to conflict seem to operate beyond the rational.Reading the story, why does Isaac love Esav and Rivka love Yaakov?And why do we see Esav as evil. If anything, it is Yaakov who tricks his brother out of the birthright!

    #25 | Genesis ch.24 - Finding Rivka

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 18:19


    This is the story of Rivka's betrothal.Why did Avraham make his servant take an oath? What makes Rivka so special?

    #24 | Genesis ch.23 - A Stranger or a Resident?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 13:26


    Chapter 23 describes the death of Sarah and Avraham's purchase of a burial site for her. But why is the story depicted with such verbosity? Couldn't the story have been told in amore concise way?I think the to and fro here reveals the key to the story.

    #23 | Genesis ch.22 - The Binding of Isaac

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2025 13:33


    This is the most awesome of all the tests of Abraham. The Binding of Isaac. But why did Avraham not answer back and refuse this test? Is it legitimate to slaughter a child?

    #22 | Bereshit ch.21 - Yitzchak and Yishmael

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2025 13:28


    What did Yishmael do that made Sarah take the decision to make Avraham drive his son out of their home?Did Avraham send his own son to possible death by thirst in the desert?

    #21 | Genesis ch.20 - "She is my Sister!"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 12:24


    Why do Sarah and Abraham need to pass themselves off as siblings? Can't they be up-front about their marital status?And in our chapter, as God protects Avraham, Avimelekh complains and says "will you kill the innocent too?" he sounds quite similar to Avrham in ch.18. Why does the Torah choose to put this phraseology into Avimelekh's mouth?

    #20 | Genesis ch.19 - Was Lot Righteous?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 16:59


    Why did Lot deserve to be saved?Was he righteous, practicing Abraham's tradition of hospitality? But who sends their two virgin daughters out to a mob?

    #19 | Genesis ch.18 - Justice and Kindness

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2025 13:33


    This chapter contains two scenes:1. Avrham practicing hospitality. The 3 angels. The angels announce the prospect of the birth of Isaac to Sarah.2. Avraham bargains/argues with God for the fate of Sedom.How do these two scenes connect and coalesce?

    #18 | Genesis ch.17 - Brit Milah

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2025 9:35


    In this chapter, Avraham is given another covenant and the enaction of the covenant is Brit Mila- the circumcision of male children at 8-days old.What is there about this mitzvah that gives it such foundational status as regards Jewish identity? Is it merely a ritual or is there meaning behind it?

    #17 | Genesis ch.16 - Hagar's Suffering

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2025 17:04


    Sarai sees that she is infertile.She suggests that Avraham be intimate with Hagar, an Egyptian slave-woman, and that she will have a surrogate child.But once she is pregnant Hagar shows no intention to hand over the child. She asumes parity with Sarah. The pan has backfired.Now Sarah "oppresses" Hagar and Hagar runs away, only to be met by an angel at the well.Was Sarai's actions ethical?Why is the Tanakh so sympathetic to Hagar?

    #16 | Genesis ch.15 - Brit Bein Habetarim. The Covenant Between the Pieces

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 15:07


    In this chapter, Avraham challenges God.He says - You promised me offspring, and yet I cannot have children! - You promised a land. How will that ever happen?Avraham asks for assurances from God.And God understands that Avraham needs that reassurance. God offers a Brit - a pact, a contract, a covenant - and this covenant has some interesting imagery - animals cut in two, birds of prey, fire and smoke, a sky filled with stars. What does it all mean?Today we explore this dramatic exchange, and the meaning behind the imagery.

    #15 | Genesis ch.14 - Avram to the Rescue!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 14:12


    In this chapter:1. War in the Jordan valley - four Mesopotamian kings take control of the five kingdoms of the valley. After the five kings revolt, the four-kings come and conquer the valley taking its population captive, including Lot.2. Abraham embarks in a military rescue mission to save his nephew Lot with 318 fighters - called "his students, those born in his household." He is victorious.3. On his return, Abraham is greeted by two kings - polar opposites - the King of Sedom, and Maki Tzedek. With whom will he ally?

    #14 | Genesis ch.13 - Lot and Avraham Part Ways

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 16:47


    Lot has traveled all the way from Mesopotamia at Avraham's side! Why do they split up now?And why choose Sedom?

    #13 | Genesis ch.12 - Lech Lecha

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2025 17:37


    Today our attention turns to Abraham and Sarah and their trek to the promised land.Why did God choose Abraham?Did God choose him *because* he was special or did God choose him to *become* special?

    #12 | Genesis ch.11 - From Babel to Avraham

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2025 14:12


    We begin today with the Tower of Babel. What is wrong with building skyscrapers? Why did God intervene?

    #11 | Genesis Chapter 10 - The Seventy Nations

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 15:40


    Our chapter depicts the three lines of the Sons of Noach - Yefet, Ham and Shem and the development of their civilizations. This is the story of the "Seventy Nations".

    #10 | Bereshit ch.9 - The New World

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 16:39


    What is the symbol of the rainbow?Why does Noach get drunk and lol naked in his tent?And was Noach a Tzaddik?

    #09 | Genesis ch.8 - Re-Creation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 17:39


    Today we discuss:1. How the restoration of the world after the flood reflects the Creation of ch.12. Anthropomorphic expressions in the chapter3. The "evil inclination of the heart of man" - How can it be a reason to DESTROY the world and also to PRESERVE the world?4. The alienation between ADAM and ADAMA

    #08 | Genesis ch.7 - The Year of the Flood

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2025 13:49


    Today we address 3 topics:1. The double story of the Flood2. The dates of the flood3. The notion of "Zikaron" And a few connections to the Yamim Noraim (the High Holy Days)

    #07 | Genesis ch.6 - The End of the World

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2025 16:46


    Chapter 6 describes the cryptic episode of the "sons of God" and the "daughters of man". God's patience with humanity is running out!Soon, God decides to de-create his creation in a great "MAbul" - more a "confusion" than a flood.

    06 Genesis ch.5 - From Adam to Noah

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 14:02


    This is a list of genealogies, of a family tree!We will discover that there is much that one can learn from a list! The key? - Look at the differences, the aberrations and deflections from the standard formula!

    05 Genesis ch.4 - The Beginning of Violence

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2025 15:49


    Cain and Abel. The first murder. Brother kills brother.It seems like Bereshit is addressing some of humanity's fundamental weaknesses and flaws.But then the chapter turns to the seventh generation, and the family and poem of Lemekh. We offer two modes of interpretation for this cryptic story.--- For my podcast in which I teach the story of the tension between Kayin and Hevel and the murder itself, listen here

    04 Genesis ch.3 - The Beginning of Desire

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 9:25


    This is the story of the sin and expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

    03 Genesis ch.1 vs. ch.2 - Contradictions and Dialectic

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2025 15:37


    One of the greatest and classic challenges of biblical scholarship has been the contradictions between chapter 1 and 2. Many don't pay attention, but in fact the chapters are quite at odds with one another.Today we articulate many of the differences between the chapters and then we offer a dialectical model which sees ch.1 and 2 in dialectical tension, in the end offering a more holistic picture of the world.

    02 Genesis Ch.2 - Humanity, Responsibility, and Relationship

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2025 14:53


    Chapter 2 zooms in on the human, and humanity's uniqueness: Spirituality, responsibility, loneliness and relationships.

    01 Genesis ch.1 - Creation

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 20:11


    What is the purpose Creation narrative?Is it intended to teach us that the world was brought into being in a mere six days?Or does it teach us something about the nature of life, being, human purpose and dignity?

    Chronicles 2 ch.36 - The End. The Beginning.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025 15:56


    Tanakh ends with a beginning.The Galut, the Exile happens, but there is a Return, an "Aliyah" - this is the "end without an ending."

    2 Chronicles ch.35 - Where is the Lost Ark?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 10:24


    Indiana Jones went looking for it. But where is it?Our chapter gives us a few clues!

    Chronicles 2 ch.34 - Yoshiyahu and the Sefer Torah

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2025 13:05


    Yoshiyahu is another exemplary king. Rising to power as a child, he leads the nation back to God.We will focus on the remarkable discovery of a Sefer Torah in the storerooms of the Temple. What is this scroll? Was the Torah lost for a while?

    Chronicles 2 ch.33 - Menashe's Teshuva

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2025 13:36


    Do we suffer for our parents sins?Today we suffer the most evil king of Yehudah - King Mennasseh. In the book of Kings his idolatry is the cause of the Hurban - the national exile. But here in Divrei Hayamim, we witness Menasseh repenting and recanting from his idolatrous ways. What is the truth? Why does Divrei Hayamim report this previously unknown story?

    2 Chronicles ch.32 - Angel of God

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 10:12


    The Assyrians attack, but since Hezekiah has led the nation to such devotion to God, we can rest assured that God will save His nation.The story here has a radically different emotional tone and emphasis than that in Melakhim and Isaiah.

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