The Tanakh Podcast

Is Tzaraat (sometimes translated incorrectly as leprosy) a medical ailment or a spiritual one?The Tanakh speaks of several instances of people afflicted by Tzaraat. What causes this condition?

A woman who births a child contracts impurity! Why?And she has to bring a sin offering?What sin did she incur?We will frame this episode in the broader framework of these chapters, which will go some way to answering these questions.

In this chapter we hear the laws of forbidden foods - Kosher animals, fish, birds and insects.But why are some animals forbidden and others allowed? Is there a logic to the particular animals that are banned for consumption? And why do non-kosher animals engender ritual impurity?

On what should have been the happiest day, tragedy strikes in the Mishkan. Nadav and Avihu, young priests - Aharon's sons - bring foreign fire and are struck down - by fire - before God. Why did they break the protocol of the Temple?What motivated them flout the laws and recklessly disregard the Temple service?

"The Eighth Day" is the day "that God will appear" to the nation. It is purported to be the day in which the Tabernacle/Mishkan reaches its climax - God's fire will descend to the nation.But we reach into the silent gaps in this story through Midrash and Rashi and speak of the hidden drama in this narrative; one of apprehension, guilt and brotherhood.

Today we try to get to the essence of the Miluim, the 7-day consecration of the Priests. We will discover that they are almost becoming part of the architecture of the Temple itself!

As Prof Yechezkel Kaufman pointed out, the Temple is a world of silence. There are no prayers or curses or incantations. Just silence. What should we make of this?

Why does chapter 6-7 repeat all the sacrifices a second time?Why does the opening paragraph about the Olah actually discuss the ash and the fire rather than the Olah itself?

In chapter 5 we see two categories of sin-offering:* korban oleh ve-yored* AshamWe will discuss the states of mind that underpin these two sin-offerings.

We all sin! Sin is endemic to human nature: "There is not even a righteous person in the world who fails to sin." said Kohelet.But our chapter directs attention not to the sin of the ordinary Israelite but to the sins of leaders: The High Priest, the judiciary and the political leadership.Are their sins more egregious, or are they merely more prone to sin? Or are they possibly to set an example to us all?

Today we discuss the Shelamim, a joyous sacrifice, eaten with friends, expressing the bond that humans make with God.

Vayikra ch.2 describes and outlines the FIVE types of Korban Mincha - an offering of flour and oil. Why does it come in five recipes? What does this vegetarian korban represent?

We haven't brought sacrifices-korbanot for 2000 years.What does the word "korban" mean?And how have major Jewish thinkers understood the rationale for Korbanot? Can we, as modern people, come to an appreciation of their significance?

Shemot ends with the assembly of all the constituent parts of the Mishkan and God's "glory-Kavod" resting within the Mishkan.We spend todays podcast discussing the structure of Shemot according to two systems - that of Ramban and that of Rashi. They each teach different messages about the spiritual thrust of the book.

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?