The Tanakh Podcast

What is the connection between the Mishkan, Creation, and Shabbat?

The washbasin, the kiyor, was a feature of the Mishkan.What purpose did it serve? How does Halakha reflect its use even today?Our chapter informs us that the kiyor was constructed from donations of women's mirrors. To what might this detail be alluding?

The Ark sits at the epicenter of the MishkanWhat does it symbolize?In fact it is not just one of the Temple vessels but two parts that have a dynamic relationship between them.

The boards of the Mishkan are pretty large; too large to be constructed from the Acacia trees in the Sinai desert! So where did the timber come from?

The details of the Tabernacle are repeated over and over in chapter 35-40. Why? We have a tradition that the Torah is highly economical with its language, but these chapters seem to contradict that assumption. Why the detailed recapitualations?

Are the second tablets the same as the first?On the one hand - yes! They are a renewal of the covenant!And yet, the rabbis saw an innovation here that was critical to the work of human application and interpretation.

After the great sin of the Golden Calf. How are God and Israel to move on together?In this chapter we see:1. Israel expressing remorse2. Moses arguing with God to eek out a mechanism whereby God might coexist with a sinful nation.

Our chapter tells the story of the Golden Calf.Did the Israelites, who heard God speak from heaven, genuinely think that they could exchange God with an image of a calf that they had constructed? How did they fall so swiftly into idolatry?

Our chapter introduces the artisans of the Mishkan - Betzalel and Oholiav - and this gives us the opportunity to explore Judaism's attitude to art.

Ch.30-31 give us 7 appendices to the instructions of the Mishkan. We focus today on the contribution of the half-shekel - where does it originate and what was the money used for?

In this chapter we speak about the "Miluim" - a seven day inauguration of the Mishkan and the Kohanim.And we ask why Channuka is 8 days.

Chapter 28 describes the special robes of the HIgh priest.But what is written upon them??

Chapter 27 closes with the instruction to contribute oil for the Menorah and to light the candles from evening to morning. Why is this paragraph here? And what might it tell us about Channuka?

Today we speak about:1. The multiple coverings of the Mishkan. Why is the Mishkan so rich inside and so plain on the outside?2. We speak about the engaging language that depicts the coverings and boards of the Mishkan: sister to sister; brother to brother. What does it mean?

Why did God command Israel to build a sanctuary?If God cannot be contained by a physical structure, what do we mean by: "Make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them"(25:8)?What is the focal point of the Sanctuary?And

In this chapter the Jewish people make a covenant at Sinai.They proclaim "Naaseh VeNIshma - We will do and we will hear!"But what is the conent of this covenant?And when exactly did it happen?

This chapter offers an eclectic mix of topics; from judicial procedure, to Shabbat and Shemitta and the festivals, and it ends with a projection and a strategic plan of how the nation will enter the land of Canaan. We try to look under the surface of this chapter and the society is envisages.

Do not curse "Elohim"! Is that God or the Judiciary?Here we discuss the weighty role of government and the courts in leading society, the responsibility they bear and the need to protect the systems that govern our lives.

Up to this point, Shemot has been a flowing narrative.Now we take a sharp turn to a detailed legal text. What is the nature, structure and purpose of this text?

Today we try to say something about the structure, texture and tone of one of our most iconic and covenantal texts.

Chapter 19 depicts the lead-up to revelation.God approaches the nation to gat their consent prior to giving the Torah. The Torah is not imposed. This is a covenant and it can only take place of both sides are willing.We also discuss the terms of revelation. How close will God be? Is this a moment of listening or a full sensory experience. And why do the people run away, fleeing from God's power?

Yitro is the priest of Midyan.And yet, in our chapter we find him proclaiming his faith in God, sacrificing to Him and creating a Justice system for the people of Israel.What is the religious faith of Yitro? What is his affinity to the God of Israel?

"Amalek came and fought with Israel"Why does Amalek come at this point in time? And what might we learn from this episode?

In chapter 15-17 we have the "grumblings" of the Israelites as they complain about the lack of food and water.Is Israel to blame?God never seems to get angry; in fact these complaints for basic foodstuffs are quite expected.So what is the purpose of these "grumbling" episodes? We shall suggest that they are part and parcel of Israel's education and growth.

The Egyptians are dead; Israel erupt in joyous song and dance.But what does this song express?And how was it sung?

"God didn't lead them the Way of the Philistines lest they see war" - but they did see war! They had a direct confrontation with the Egyptian military! Why did God orchestrate a head-on collision with Pharaoh and his chariots just days after they had freed themselves from Egypt?

Now that we are leaving Egypt, the Torah begins to craft how the memory of this critical moment will be remembered. Chapter 13 is filled by techniques that will help us understand the Exodus and its significance in our lives.

Today we discuss four elements that were instructed before we departed Egypt. These are four building blocks of Jewish Identity:1. Jewish Time2. Family and the Jewish Home3. Choosing to be Jewish4. Hippazon. The Speed of Redemption - Window of Opportunity.

Our chapter instructs the Israelites to borrow objects of silver and gold from their neighbours. These were items that they were not intending to return. Why does God issue this strange command? Is it honest?

Today we address:1. The central role of children in the Exodus2. The request for a religious furlough of 3 days. Why does Moses ask for a religious holiday; why not simply ask for freedom?

"And God hardened Pharaoh's heart." Is that fair? Doesn't thiscontravene the principle of free choice?How is Pharaoh culpable if God is hardening his heart?

Why did God need Ten Plagues?Couldn't he have released the Israelites with just one massive attack?In this class, we explain the unique structure - literary and theological - of the 10 plagues.

The 10 plagues do not merely bring the infrastructure of Egypt to its knees, but they are in fact a battle against the gods of Egypt.

Chapter 6 is a perplexing narrative.God says he has never been known by the name YHVH. Is that possible?And we see a family tree of Moses' origins! Why does this prosaic text appear at the most nail-biting juncture of the story?

Moses and Aharon approach Pharaoh but things worsen severely - Pharaoh stops providing straw for the bricks, the the workload is now more intense, the slaves are lashed and beaten. Pharaoh succeeds in turning the people against their new leader. And Moshe begins to protest to God!

Moses doubts whether the Israelites will believe him.God responds with 3 signs.We discuss the symbolism of these signs.Thanks to Rabbi Prof. Yonatan Grossman whose teachings were enormously useful in preparing this podcast.

Why does God appear to Moshe in a burning bush? What is the symbolism of that image?

In this chapter we meet Moses. What values does he exhibit? What are his influences?

Today we frame the Book of Exodus and then speak about Pharaoh's campaign to fight the demographic expansion of the Israelites.

Yaakov gives his funeral instructions not once but twice! Why does he repeat it?And how did Yoseph invest his children and the entire Jewish people with a faith in Redemption?----To support this podcast, please donate on Patreon or https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael. Thank you!

In this chapter, as Jacob is about to die, he is surrounded by his 12 sons and he addresses each one in turn.Is there a single theme that unifies all these blessings? Are they all blessings?

Yaakov is sick. Yoseph takes his sons to visit.The Midrash says that Yaakov is the first person ever to get sick. What did they mean by this?And here we see a special blessing to Efrayim and Menashe. What can we learn from this scene?

In our chapter we read about Joseph's economic management of the famine.Joseph saved Egypt but also ended up nationalizing all the assets of the country.Does his policy express care and compassion, or exploitation and opportunistic power? Should we laud Yoseph or be critical of him?

If Jacob went to Egypt to visit his son, why didn't he return to Canaan?If the brothers went to Egypt to survive the famine, why didn't they return home?As we shall see, ch.46 is in fact the start of the Exile, predicted in Genesis ch.15 - in the Brit Bein Habetarim.But why Exile?

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?

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?

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.

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?

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?

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?

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