Podcasts about Jerusalem

It's all about a war of ideas between Greece and Jerusalem.  How important is the past and the future, compared to the present?  Should a man and woman commit to share a life or should they train themselves to enjoy temporary hookups? Should we use energy enthusiastically or shun it? Enjoy this explanation: https://rabbidaniellapin.com/product/festival-of-lights-instant-download/ Is it right that some people own a lot while others have little? Shouldn't all property be owned by all the people? These are the ideas that have to be agreed upon when you start a society or a country. America used to but no longer.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 15, 2025 is: dreidel • DRAY-dul • noun A dreidel is a 4-sided toy marked with Hebrew letters and spun like a top in a game of chance. The game, played by children especially at Hanukkah, is also called dreidel. // All the kids in the family look forward to playing dreidel together during Hanukkah. See the entry > Examples: “The Jewish tradition has always been syncretic, adapting and responding to the culture around it, he [Rabbi Steven Philp] said. Hanukkah is ‘a great example of this,' Philp said, noting that the holiday's traditions—like spinning the dreidel, eating latkes or potato pancakes, and munching on ... jelly-filled doughnuts—are customs that were borrowed from neighboring cultures over time.” — Kate Heather, The Chicago Sun-Times, 25 Dec. 2024 Did you know? If your dreidel is spinning beneath the glow of the menorah, it's probably the Jewish festival of lights known as Hanukkah. The holiday celebrates the miracle of a small amount of oil—enough for one day—burning for eight days in the Temple of Jerusalem. And though it's a toy, the dreidel's design is very much an homage: on each of its four sides is inscribed a Hebrew letter—nun, gimel, he, and shin—which together stand for Nes gadol haya sham, meaning “A great miracle happened there.” (In Israel, the letter pe, short for po, “here,” is often used instead of shin). In the game of dreidel, each letter bears its own significance: the dreidel is spun and depending on which letter is on top when it lands, the player's currency, or gelt, is added to or taken from the pot. Nun means the player does nothing; gimel means the player gets everything; he means the player gets half; and shin means the player adds to the pot. Wherever you land on holiday traditions, we wish you words of gimel: gratitude, grub, and, of course, gaiety.

Am I Helping People Who Are Suicidal? Should I Worry about My Daughter's Anxiety? Disarming Yourself The answers to today's questions are brief and were written prior to the show. Listen to the podcast for a more in-depth discussion of each question. Here are the questions for today's podcast. George asks: Would my approach help someone who is suicidal? No Name asks: Do I need to worry about my daughter's anxiety? Jeffrey asks: Can you disarm yourself?   George asks: Would my approach help someone who is suicidal? Dear David, Please tell me if this is too close to medical or other protected advice, but I had a question about something I tell people who are sometimes struggling with suicidal ideation. Throughout my life, I have had the thought "I don't want to be alive anymore" more times than I can count. But what I have come to realize over time is that this is just something my brain says when I'm upset; it doesn't really mean anything other than that. It's just a reaction to being very upset and that reframing helps me feel better about it, knowing that it's not a conviction but rather just how my brain expresses negative distress. Multiple people have found this helpful, but I wonder if telling certain people this would be dismissive/triggering/etc. In a dangerous way? Do you think I should stop sharing this experience? George David's reply: Hi George, Thanks for asking. I will make this an Ask David question, if okay with you, using your first name or some other name if you prefer. Short answer: to me, this is like giving advice, to my way of thinking, and I have spent the last 40 – 50 years indicating that this is NOT an approach that's ever worked for me. Can say more on the podcast. Thanks! Warmly, david   No Name asks: Do I need to worry about my daughter's anxiety? Dear Dr. Burns, I am not very skilled at expressing how much you, Rhonda, the others and your work mean to me. So, I will just ask a question. My daughter, who has a lot of anxiety issues told me that when she has a problem, she will purposely stew over it when trying to fall asleep so that she will wake up with an answer to the problem the next morning. I cringed. Is there any way that this is a safe or helpful paradoxical technique? No name David's reply Thanks, I'll copy Rhonda. We are both grateful for your loving comments! Rhonda, we can make this an ask David if you like for a podcast. But short answer, at least, in my opinion, is that this is a cool way to use your brain. It is a skill. For example, I often get confused by a difficult statistics problem when analyzing data, and go to sleep confused. Nearly all the time, my brain wakes me up in the middle of the night with a brilliant answer. So, if she perceived is in a positive way, and isn't disturbed, you could try nourishing it, as opposed to worrying about it! We'll see what Rhonda thinks. Rhonda, I'll add this great brief question to our list for Tuesday. I am reluctant to postpone the Ask David as when we've done this in the past, we've ended up never answer at least 20 to 30 questions which are now too old to put on a podcast. Those who asked may no longer even be alive it's been so long! Warmly, david Rhonda's reply Thank you for this lovely feedback. It really means a lot to us. Your daughter is going through something so many of us experience. I am excited we can respond to your question on an Ask David podcast. Warmly, Rhonda Jeffrey asks: Can you disarm yourself? Subject: Question about using disarming technique on oneself, and also it being used against you. Endless gratitude to all of you for the pipeline of clarity and hope. I was wondering if one can use disarming on oneself. Much of the focus in feeling good seems focused on looking for and challenging our distortions, which seems the opposite of disarming. Maybe the reversal of agendas emphasized in feeling great is essentially putting the disarming back into the process in regards to ourselves. I would like to hear your thoughts on this. On a side note, if one is in a legal contention or divorce, I could see how disarming could be effective and pacifying, yet what if those admissions could be used against you. David's reply I would like to include this in an Ask David podcast, with our first name or a fake name. Please advise if okay. Short answer: the ideas and tools to treat individual mood problems, like depression, are the complete opposite of the ideas and tools to treat relationship problems. This is like matter and anti-matter. However, the Disarming Technique and the Acceptance Paradox connect these two opposed and radically different worlds. So, in a sense, you are right. The Acceptance Paradox is a lot like disarming yourself! Best, david Jeffry's reply to david Thank you for the succinct response, and I look forward to hearing it fleshed out in the podcast. I would be honored for you to mention my name: Jeffrey - from the outskirts of Jerusalem in Israel And thank you to the whole team for keeping the best things in life for free (although I do hope everyone receives the funds they need). Yet I feel converse maxim - "there's no free lunch" remains standing, app://resources/notifications.html And that is, because, as you state over and over - anybody serious in improvement must pay the price; whether in completing the daily logs, or Burns assessment quizzes, or facing your fears, challenging your assumptions or fine-tuning one's communication skills, one interaction at a time. The danger of apps, and screens in general, are the inherent passivity and superficiality they engender, so I am looking forward to seeing how this app overcomes that. Lastly, you had sought feedback as to audience preferences for podcasts: I think by now I and most regular listeners are clear in the general approaches of Team CBT, and how it differs from other schools and their adherents, so now I benefit most from the role playing to crystallize and internalize its application. I would also be willing to forego multiple scenarios in each session in order to spend more time reiterating and clarifying individual scenarios - assuming that David, Rhonda, Matt, etc, have the willingness to keep going. Keep on keeping us learning and laughing. Jeffrey David's reply Thanks for the kindly and thoughtful note. We'll certainly try, but as you say, there's no free lunch and no guarantees! We are sometimes just hanging on! I like your recommendation for podcasts: more role playing I think to bring techniques and ideas to life. Warmly, david Thanks, for listening! David and Rhonda

SCRIPTURE- Psalm 122:1-2"I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.' And now our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem.”REFLECTION- Sr. KathleenMUSIC- "On Jordan's Bank" from The Hymn Channel- "Gather Us In" by Marty Haugen ADVENT WORD OF THE DAY - Share - Gather stuff from your closet(s) that are never worn and share them with those in need by dropping them off at the Society of SVDP Thrift Shop or Goodwill.NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diaspora reporter Zev Stub and religion and archaeology reporter Rossella Tercatin join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Two gunmen shot dead at least 15 people and wounded dozens of others on Sunday at a Hanukkah event being held at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach to mark the first night of the Jewish holiday. There were about 1,000 Jews in attendance. We learn about the timeline of the attack and the identities of the murdered that were released by recording time. Stub reports on what is known so far about the father-son attackers' potential motives and a potential direction police are investigating. We learn how a bystander, filmed tackling and disarming a gunman during yesterday’s terror attack, was named as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Muslim father of two who owns a local produce store. And after a series of conversations yesterday with Australian Jewish leaders, Stub reports how they feel as though their fears for the community's safety were left unheeded. Tercatin explains how in Sydney, the Chabad movement’s annual Bondi Beach Hanukkah gathering is a massive event that usually features a petting zoo, face painting and box after box of free jelly donuts. She delves into the history of large-scale Chabad-led Hanukkah events. We then learn about Jerusalem's "cursed" museum, the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum in East Jerusalem. Now again -- kind of -- open to the public. Hear what can be seen in a place where time has stood still. And finally, we hear about a rare, 1,300-year-old lead pendant decorated with a menorah symbol was uncovered during an archaeological excavation beneath the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount, north of the City of David. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Chabad rabbis, Holocaust survivor, 10-year-old among victims of Sydney Hanukkah attack Sydney gunmen identified as father and son, reportedly possessed ISIS flag ‘A genuine hero’: Unarmed Muslim bystander filmed disarming Sydney terrorist ‘Horrified, not shocked’: Australian Jews blame Bondi attack on ongoing ‘incitement’ Bondi Beach attack comes amid years of escalating antisemitic incidents in Australia Targeted Hanukkah lighting underscores decades-old Chabad mission to illuminate the world Jerusalem’s ‘cursed’ antiquity museum reopens its doors amid rumors it may become a hotel Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Rabbi Yossi Freidman, left, holds a prayer at a flower memorial for shooting victims outside the Bondi Pavilion at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, a day after a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Scripture passages are Nehemiah 1 - 2 | Psalm 135 | Revelation 9.Read by Ekemini Uwan.Get in The Word with Truth's Table is a production of InterVarsity Press. For 75 years, IVP has published and created thoughtful Christian books for the university, church, and the world. Our Bible reading plan is adapted from Bible Study Together, and the Bible version is the New English Translation, used by permission.SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of this podcast, use the code IVPOD25 for 25% off any IVP resource mentioned in this episode at ivpress.com.Additional Credits:Song production: Seaux ChillSong lyrics written by: Seaux Chill, Ekemini Uwan, and Christina EdmondsonPodcast art: Kate LillardPhotography: Shelly EveBible consultant: JM SmithSound engineering: Podastery StudiosCreative producers: Ekemini Uwan and Christina EdmondsonAssistant producer: Christine Pelliccio MeloExecutive producer: Helen LeeDisclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

What does it really look like to commit your whole life to God, not just your words? In this episode, we walk through Nehemiah's renewed covenant, Israel's community-wide commitment to family, faith, and finances, and the bold repopulation plan for Jerusalem. We'll discover how these chapters reveal God's unwavering faithfulness to his people and point to the deeper promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We'll also look at how our lives today mirror the Israelites and what it looks like to live as God's set apart people.Podcast themes: Commitment requires more than intention. The Israelites didn't just say they would follow God. They signed their names, made specific commitments, and reordered their lives around their covenant. So ask yourself: Where am I relying on good intentions instead of real follow-through? Obedience often involves sacrifice. Some Israelite families moved into a broken, unattractive Jerusalem simply because God chose them to. Our obedience today often looks the same. God may call us to forgive, serve, move toward community, or let go of something we'd rather keep. The question is whether we trust him enough to say yes.Everyone has a place and purpose in God's story. Nehemiah's detailed lists show that every person matters and has a role in God's plan. Whether you feel front-and-center or behind-the-scenes, your obedience contributes to God's work in the world. No one is invisible in the kingdom of God.We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info! Contact Bible Book ClubDONATE Buy merch Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's InstagramLike or comment on Susan's Facebook or InstagramLeave us an Apple reviewContact us through our website formThanks for listening and happy podcasting!

When was Christ born? I held a livestream to tackle some of the most enduring mysteries surrounding the Christmas story, diving deep into scholarly debates concerning the timing of Christ's birth, the nature of the Star of Bethlehem, and the identity and traditions surrounding the Wise Men. The discussion also included a giveaway of a free copy of Sand Tanner’s book, Lighthouse, authored by Ronald Huggins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d0hOvJoXQc Don't miss our other conversations about Christmas: https://gospeltangents.com/lds_theology/christmas/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved The Great Dating Debate: When Was Christ Born? The discussion began by addressing the fact that the calendar we use today, created by the 6th-century monk Dionysius Exiguus. He mistakenly placed Christ's birth several years too late. There is no Year Zero. Modern scholars generally agree that Herod the Great died in 4 BC, a crucial historical marker, meaning Jesus could not have been born as late as 1 BC because Herod would have been dead for three or four years by then. Dr. Jeffrey Chadwick proposes that December of 5 BC is the correct birth month. However, Dr. Thomas Wayment argues that biblical writers like Matthew and Luke were composing gospels, not history, and were unconcerned with precise details, suggesting that historical data only allows us to know the date within a year or two, and certainly not within a specific month. Adding to the complexity is the mention of a census in Luke 2, which is historically problematic, as the census conducted by Quirinius (Cyrenius) is typically placed around 6 AD, about 10 years after Herod's death, creating a significant timeline contradiction. Explaining the Star of Bethlehem The question of what caused the Star of Bethlehem led to an examination of several astronomical and scientific theories, particularly in the context of both the Bible (Matthew 2) and the Book of Mormon (3rd Nephi 1). Information comes from several sources, including the 2004 documentary called Mystery of the Three Kings by Questar Entertainment. Planetary Alignment: Astronomer Michael Molnar proposed that the star was actually an occultation where the moon passed in front of Jupiter, a theory based on Babylon’s astrological beliefs concerning the birth dates of divine kings. Solar Eclipse: Another possibility, suggested by Jerry Grover, is a solar eclipse which occurred in 6 BC, a date near the proposed birth time. In Mesopotamia, eclipses were frequently associated with the rising of a new king or the death of an old king, which would explain why Herod was troubled. The eclipse was rare, rising in Mesoamerica and setting as a partial eclipse in Persia, where the Wise Men were thought to originate. Coronal Mass Ejection (CME): Grover also offered the idea of a CME (a massive ejection of plasma from the sun hitting Earth’s magnetosphere). This event could cause the northern lights (auroras) to become supercharged and move far south, appearing as “weird domes and other shapes in Mesoamerica”. This theory is particularly interesting because it could scientifically explain the Book of Mormon account that the night became “as light as day all night long” in the American Hemisphere, while the phenomenon might not have been noticed in the Middle East. Furthermore, the sign may have been accompanied by a crackling or hissing sound, as ions drop and release their charge in the atmosphere. Supernovas and comets are generally dismissed as options because they are either too short-lived or were historically seen as signs of impending doom. The Wise Men: Identity, Gifts, and Legacy The Wise Men (Magi or Magoi) were likely astrologers, healers, and dream readers from the east, specifically the Parthian/Persian Empire (modern Iran/Iraq area.) Their arrival in Jerusalem would have been concerning to Herod, especially since they were Persians entering Roman-controlled territory. The word Magoi is the same word used for magician or sorcerer. They may have been followers of the Zoroastrian religion, which is monotheistic and shares beliefs with Judaism, such as a belief in resurrection and a coming savior. Zoroastrian astronomers may have recognized the confluence of Jupiter and Saturn in 7 BC as a sign of a new king in Israel. The three traditional gifts carried profound meaning: Gold represented kingship. Frankincense represented divinity or God. Myrrh was extremely valuable (worth seven times the weight of gold) and represented healing; its use in embalming also served as a foreshadowing of Jesus's eventual death. The Magi are celebrated in many traditions, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries, where January 6th is known as Three Kings Day24,25. On this day, which occurs 12 days after Christmas, presents are exchanged, left by the Three Kings rather than Santa Claus. Legends regarding the Magi’s relics and tombs are found across the globe, including claims in Sava, Iran (recorded by Marco Polo); Axum, Ethiopia; Milan, Italy, and the most famous location in the West, the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Don't miss our other conversations about Christmas: https://gospeltangents.com/lds_theology/christmas/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

Today's Promise: Matthew 2:1-2     After the birth of Jesus, an unexpected delegation arrived in Jerusalem. They were wise men from distant lands asking a stunning question: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" Though Jesus came through the Jewish people, some of the very first to bow before Him were Gentiles. Their journey reminds us that Christ came for every nation, every background, every seeking heart.   In this episode, we explore the powerful truth that Jesus invites all of us, no matter who we are, to seek Him earnestly. And He promises that those who truly seek will surely find. (Matthew 6:33; 7:7)   The wise men traveled far to encounter the Savior. Today, wise men and women still pursue Him with all they have. Join us as we dive into their story and discover what it means to seek Jesus with passion, purpose, and an open heart.

Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-17 The Magi Visit the Messiah 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,     are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler     who will shepherd my people Israel.'[b]” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. The Escape to Egypt 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”[c] 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

Zechariah 9:9-17 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!     Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you;     righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey,     on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim     and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off,     and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea,     and from the River to the ends of the earth. 11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,     I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;     today I declare that I will restore to you double. 13 For I have bent Judah as my bow;     I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will stir up your sons, O Zion,     against your sons, O Greece,     and wield you like a warrior's sword. 14 Then the Lord will appear over them,     and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet     and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. 15 The Lord of hosts will protect them,     and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine,     and be full like a bowl,     drenched like the corners of the altar. 16 On that day the Lord their God will save them,     as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown     they shall shine on his land. 17 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!     Grain shall make the young men flourish,     and new wine the young women.   Key Words: Rejoice, King, Salvation, Rule, Covenant, Prisoners, Hope, Jewels Keystone Verses: Because of the blood of My covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free. (Zechariah 9:11) Download Bulletin

In our last episode, we were introduced to Ezra, a scribe in exile who had been trained in the law of Moses and who had “determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach it's statutes and ordinances in Israel.” King Artaxerxes has expressly commanded Ezra to do just that. After we review some of the family heads who accompanied Ezra for the journey back to Jerusalem, we discover that even the leaders of those who had returned from exile had disobeyed the commands of the Lord by marrying foreign women. This was forbidden under the law of Moses, and can be cited as one of the reasons Israel abandoned the Lord and pursued other gods.Ezra 8 - 1:01 . Ezra 9 - 7:21 . Ezra 10 - 12:49 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

OUR Easter Talk has three parts: Part 1: The Story of Two Disciples; Part 2: New Jerusalem Is Coming Down; Part 3: The 5th Problem in the Corinth Church. Backgrounder: Before His crucifixion, Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover (a traditional feast commemorating the Jews' liberation from slavery in Egypt). Jesus' followers welcomed Him waving palms (now celebrated as Palm Sunday). Two followers of Jesus, Cleopas, and a friend, left their home in Emmaus and went to Jerusalem also to celebrate the Passover. Even before the day of the Passover feast, Jesus, accused of rebellion against the Roman Empire that colonized Israel, was arrested by Roman soldiers and eventually crucified Him. Because their Master was crucified, the two followers of Jesus were so devastated that they decided to walk back to their home in Emmaus. Along the way, Jesus, then already Resurrected from death, appeared and walked with the two followers–who did not recognize Jesus. Talk 1 of our Lenten Feast Talk points out that The Walk to Emmaus is a symbol of someone walking away from God and the person's spiritual family. Messy Saint Talk 1: Confused Army Talk 2: Proud About Sin Talk 3:Correct But Still Self-Centered Talk 4:Gifted But Divisive Talk 5:Walk Back to Jerusalem Messy Saints Love Thy Neighbor (Even if They Drive You Nuts) Solving the problems in 1 Corinthians Talk 5: Walk Back to Jerusalem Notes: To recognize Jesus, the followers–and we, to-day–need to go back to Jerusalem. When Jesus walked with the two followers, this means that though we are walking back to Jerusalem, Jerusalem is also coming back to us. In Tagalog, sinasalubong natin. We're walking to welcome it back.

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Masada-klippan och den befästa fästningen där de judiska seloterna gjorde sitt sista motstånd mot Romarriket har en närmast mytologisk betydelse i dagens Israel. Fortfarande svär unga israeliska soldater sin trohet uppe på Masada – en plats som blivit en symbol för motstånd, offer och nationell identitet.Det judiska upproret, som inleddes år 66 e.Kr., blev en katastrof för det judiska folket. År 70 förstördes Jerusalem i grunden av romarna, och den sista fasen av upproret utspelade sig på Masada. Under åren 73–74 belägrades fästningen av den romerska armén i en militär operation som fortfarande imponerar historiker. Genom att anlägga en enorm ramp uppför berget och omringa platsen med ett system av läger och vallar tvingade romarna de judiska försvararna till ett sista desperat beslut.I detta avsnitt av Militärhistoriepodden diskuterar Martin Hårdstedt och Peter Bennesved den dramatiska slutstriden vid Masada. Belägringen är inte bara central i berättelsen om de judiska upproren, utan även ett unikt exempel på romersk belägringsteknik. Rester av romarnas anläggningar – vallarna, lägren och framför allt den väldiga rampen – finns ännu kvar och ger oss en sällsynt inblick i antikens krigskonst.Den mest omdiskuterade aspekten av Masada är berättelsen om det kollektiva självmord som enligt den judiske historikern Flavius Josefus ska ha ägt rum, där seloterna valde döden framför romerskt slaveri. Men hur pålitlig är denna källa? Moderna forskare menar att berättelsen måste tolkas med försiktighet – det finns inga oberoende bekräftelser på att självmordet faktiskt ägde rum.Konsekvenserna av de judiska upproren blev ödesdigra. Det judiska folket skingrades, och en lång exil inleddes. Först mot slutet av 1800-talet väcktes idén om en återkomst till det historiska hemlandet, och det var först år 1948 som staten Israel grundades. Masada lever kvar – som symbol och myt, men också som ett fysiskt monument över romersk krigföring och judiskt motstånd.Bildtext: Masada är en symbol för judiskt motstånd och är mest känd för det romerska belägringsdramat år 73 e.Kr. Platsen är idag ett världsberömt arkeologiskt monument och ett UNESCO-världsarv. Foto: Andrew Shiva / Wikipedia. Licens: CC BY-SA 4.0.Klippare: Emanuel Lehtonen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we imagine encountering God, many of us picture escaping to nature – finding Him in wide-open spaces far from the noise of the city. But in Scripture, it was often the other way around. God's presence was expected in the city, especially Jerusalem, the “City of God”. The wilderness, by contrast, was a place of danger, scarcity, and uncertainty. So what happens when life leads us into the desert? Can God still move there? Can His goodness be felt in the places we least expect it? Pastor Louis shows how God meets His people in barren places and forms and transforms us not just in seasons of abundance, but especially in seasons of dependence. Discover the profound truth that God provides daily bread in the desert – nourishment, presence, and hope when we're living on crumbs.

The story of the Messiah's arrival continues with a juxtaposition of two cities (Jerusalem and Bethlehem) and two kings (Herod and Jesus). King Herod desperately tries to hang on to his illegitimate authority as the news of the long-awaited Messianic King spreads through his city like wildfire. As his response to this revelation reveals his insecurity, a faithful response is ironically displayed by pagan astrologers from a Gentile nation, who follow a star to Bethlehem, where they worship the new King of the Jews.

Today in History: Exactly three years after the Syrian Greeks had defiled the Holy Temple, the Maccabees recaptured it anddedicated it to the LORD again with a great celebration (see the historical book 1 Maccabees 4) Messiah visited the Holy Temple during Hanukkah (see John 10:22). “Then came Hanukkah; it was winter in Jerusalem. Yeshua was walking in the Temple around Solomon's Colonnade...” (TLV).Suggested Historical Reading: 1 Maccabees 1–2This week's portion is called Miketz (At the end) TORAH PORTION: Genesis 41:15–38GOSPEL PORTION: Matthew 22:1–14What verse spoke to you most today and why?Did you learn something you need to do in your life?Daily Bread for Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast where we read through the Torah and the Gospels in one year! Helping young Bible-readers to study God's Word, while also discovering its Jewish context!THE KIDS' JOURNAL is available from ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://arielmedia.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠BUSY MOMS who want to follow the Daily Bread readings on podcast for adults, can go to ⁠⁠https://dailybreadmoms.com⁠⁠The Bible translation we are reading from is the Tree of Life Version (TLV) available from the Tree of Life Bible Society.INSTAGRAM: @dailybreadkids @arielmediabooks @dailybreadmomsTags: #DailyBreadMoms #DailyBreadJournal #BibleJournaling #Messianic #BiblePodcast #BiblicalFeasts #Journal #biblereadingplan #Messiah #JewishRoots #Yeshua #GodIsInControl #OneYearBible #MomLife #MotherCulture #FaithFilledMama #BiblicalWomanhood #Proverbs31woman

Sermon Summary – Zechariah Session 8 This message teaches that God disciplines His people redemptively, warns of the danger of persistent rebellion, and points powerfully to Christ as the true Shepherd and the ultimate hope for Israel and the nations 20251211 - Thursday Bible Study… . 1. God's Discipline Is Redemptive, Not Cruel The study opens with Zechariah 11, explaining that God disciplines those He loves. Discipline is not condemnation but a loving attempt to restore hearts that have wandered. When correction is ignored repeatedly, however, judgment eventually becomes unavoidable. God always provides warnings and opportunities to repent before judgment comes. Discipline is meant to bring humility and dependence on God. 2. A Shepherd Who Loves vs. Worthless Shepherds Zechariah contrasts the Good Shepherd with selfish, corrupt shepherds who abuse and neglect the flock. Israel's leaders exploited their own people and felt no guilt. When God's people reject faithful leadership, they are left with leaders who reflect their rebellion. This serves as a warning for both nations and individuals. 3. Prophecy of Christ's Rejection The passage prophetically points to Jesus: The 30 pieces of silver represent the price paid for betraying the Good Shepherd. The money being thrown to the potter points to Christ's rejection and death, yet also reveals His mercy—He redeems even the broken and discarded. Jesus willingly laid down His life; no one took it from Him. 4. God Can Redeem the Worst Situations Personal testimony illustrates how God can use severe hardship to bring repentance and salvation. God does not cause sin, but He can redeem the consequences of it. No life is beyond restoration—God specializes in turning ashes into beauty. 5. Jerusalem at the Center of God's End-Time Plan Zechariah chapters 12–14 focus on Jerusalem, which remains the focal point of God's prophetic purposes. Nations that oppose Jerusalem will ultimately face judgment. God promises final deliverance and restoration for Israel. The Messiah will return, stand on the Mount of Olives, and reign as King over all the earth. 6. Israel's Future Repentance and Cleansing Israel will one day look upon the One they pierced and mourn in repentance. God will pour out grace and supplication. A fountain of cleansing will be opened for sin and uncleanness. This mirrors the spiritual process of repentance and restoration seen in individual believers today. 7. Refinement Leads to Restoration Though judgment is severe, God preserves a refined remnant. Trials refine faith like fire refines gold. God declares, “They are My people,” and they respond, “The Lord is my God.” 8. The Coming Kingdom The sermon concludes with the hope of Christ's reign: Jesus will be King over all the earth. Jerusalem will dwell securely. Holiness will define everyday life. God's glory will fill the world. Key Theme God disciplines to redeem, judges to restore, and reigns to bring ultimate peace. The Good Shepherd lays down His life so His people can live—and one day, He will reign openly as King.

Daf Yomi Zevachim 91Episode 2171Babble on Talmud with Sruli RappsJoin the chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LMbsU3a5f4Y3b61DxFRsqfMERCH: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BabbleOnTalmudSefaria: https://www.sefaria.org.il/Zevachim.91a?lang=heEmail: sruli@babbleontalmud.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/babble_on_talmudFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Babble-on-Talmud-100080258961218/#dafyomi #talmud00:00 Intro02:27 Tadir vs qadosh30:36 When tadir is out of order46:25 Oil donations50:56 How oil donations are offered59:31 How much oil to donate01:09:39 How wine donations are offered01:20:05 Conclusion

Bet Shamai and Bet Hillel were two major Jewish schools in Jerusalem that lasted about 100 years from about 10 BCE to 70 CE. The schools were founded by two great Jewish leaders Hillel and Shamai. There were hundreds of debates of Jewish law between the two prominent schools. A fascinating discussion about Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel and their important contributions to Judaism and Jewish History. 

Keren Kayement L’israel, the JNF, will be hosting various events during the upcoming Chanukah holiday. These include latern-led night hikes in the forest, climbing mountains in the Jordan Valley, hunting for candelabras and suvganiot in B’nei Barak and Jerusalem and more. Reporter Arieh O’Sullivan spoke with Hav’a Stein-Yosef, from the community department at Keren Kayemet L’israel, about their events. (photo: Yaniv Nadav/flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having received his Ph.D. in mathematical logic at Brandeis University, Rabbi Dr. Dovid Gottlieb went on to become Professor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University. Today he is a senior faculty member at Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem. An accomplished author and lecturer, Rabbi Gottlieb has electrified audiences with his stimulating and energetic presentations on ethical and philosophical issues. In Jewish Philosophy with Rabbi Dr. Gottlieb, we are invited to explore the most fascinating and elemental concepts of Jewish Philosophy. https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ podcasts@ohr.edu

Dive into the true story behind one of the most consequential decisions in modern diplomacy — the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Based on the book Because It's Just and Right: The Untold Back-Story of the US Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel and Moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem by Leonard Grunstein & Farley Weiss, this video explores:

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Finding Meaning in Mahane Yehuda: Amit's Hanukkah Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2025-12-14-23-34-02-he Story Transcript:He: ברחוב הצפוף של שוק מחנה יהודה בירושלים, האוויר מתקרר ועוטף את כולם בניחוחות תבלינים ושל חנוכייה.En: On the crowded street of Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem, the air cooled, enveloping everyone with the scents of spices and a Hanukkiah.He: החנויות מוארות באורות צבעוניים לכבוד חנוכה, ואנשים נעים בשוק בחיוכים וחבילות מתחת לזרועם.En: The shops were lit with colorful lights in honor of Hanukkah, and people moved through the market with smiles and packages under their arms.He: עמית ושירה עמדו בפתח השוק.En: Amit and Shira stood at the entrance of the market.He: עמית היה שקוע במחשבותיו, מרגיש את הצורך למצוא מתנה מושלמת לאחותו.En: Amit was deep in thought, feeling the need to find the perfect gift for his sister.He: חנוכה תמיד היה חג חשוב למשפחה, והוא רצה שהמתנה תהיה משמעותית ומיוחדת.En: Hanukkah was always an important holiday for the family, and he wanted the gift to be meaningful and special.He: "שירה, אני פשוט לא יודע במה לבחור," עמית הודה, מביט סביבו בבילבול.En: "Shira, I just don't know what to choose," Amit admitted, looking around in confusion.He: שירה חייכה אליו ברוגע, "אל תדאג עמית.En: Shira smiled at him calmly, "Don't worry, Amit.He: נמצא משהו שיתאים בדיוק.En: We'll find something that's just right.He: נתחיל להסתובב ונראה מה יש.En: Let's start browsing and see what's there."He: "הם הלכו בין הדוכנים, עוצרים ליד תכשיטים, ספרים ובדים צבעוניים.En: They walked between stalls, stopping by jewelry, books, and colorful fabrics.He: בכל דוכן, התלבט עמית בין ההצעות השונות.En: At each stall, Amit hesitated over the different offerings.He: חלק מהדברים היו יפים, אחרים מעשיים, אבל הוא לא הרגיש חיבור לאף אחד מהם.En: Some things were beautiful, others practical, but he felt no connection to any of them.He: פתאום, עיניו של עמית נמשכו לתוך חנות קטנה בצד השוק.En: Suddenly, Amit's eyes were drawn to a small store on the side of the market.He: היה שם מינורה יפה, עשויה בעבודת יד, עם צבעים חמים ודוגמה מיוחדת שנראתה למשפחתית.En: There was a beautiful menorah there, handmade, with warm colors and a special pattern that seemed familial.He: זה הזכיר לו את החנוכייה שהייתה לסבתו, זו שהיו מדליקים איתה בכל שנה.En: It reminded him of the Hanukkiah that his grandmother had, the one they lit every year.He: עמית עצר.En: Amit stopped.He: "שירה, תראי את זה," הוא הצביע, עיניו נוצצות.En: "Shira, look at this," he pointed, his eyes sparkling.He: שירה התקרבה והתבוננה בחנוכייה, "זו חנוכייה יפהפיה, עמית.En: Shira approached and gazed at the Hanukkiah, "This is a beautiful Hanukkiah, Amit.He: וגם יש בזה סיפור מהעבר.En: And it has a story from the past.He: זה יהיה מושלם לאחותך.En: It will be perfect for your sister."He: "עמית ידע שזה זה.En: Amit knew this was it.He: המינורה לא הייתה רק פריט יפה, אלא חפץ עם סיפור ומשמעות שהזכירו את משפחתו ואהבתו לאחותו.En: The menorah was not just a beautiful item but an object with a story and meaning that reminded him of his family and his love for his sister.He: באותו רגע, הוא הרגיש בטוח בהחלטתו.En: At that moment, he felt confident in his decision.He: עמית קנה את החנוכייה ויצא מהשוק עם חיוך.En: Amit bought the Hanukkiah and left the market with a smile.He: לא רק שמצא מתנה משמעותית, אלא גם הבין שהרגש והזיכרונות הם אלו שעושים את המתנות יקרות וחשובות.En: He not only found a meaningful gift, but he also realized that emotions and memories are what make gifts valuable and important.He: עם תחושת ביטחון מחודשת, עמית חזר הביתה, יודע שבחירה נכונה אינה תמיד המדבר המעשי.En: With renewed confidence, Amit returned home, knowing that making the right choice isn't always about practicality.He: לעתים הרגש חשוב יותר משווי החומר עצמו.En: Sometimes the emotion is more important than the material value itself. Vocabulary Words:crowded: צפוףenveloping: עוטףscents: ניחוחותlit: מוארותhonor: כבודgift: מתנהmeaningful: משמעותיתbrowsing: להסתובבstalls: דוכניםhesitated: התלבטofferings: הצעותfamilial: משפחתיתsparkling: נוצצותapproached: התקרבהgazed: התבוננהobject: חפץconfident: בטוחdecision: החלטהrealized: הביןemotions: הרגשmemories: הזיכרונותvaluable: יקרותimportant: חשובותrenewed: מחודשתchoice: בחירהpracticality: מעשיemotion: חומר עצמיmaterial: משקfabrics: בדיםpattern: דוגמהBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

In the book of Jeremiah, his words spoke of his feelings as he lived his life, prophesying the upcoming fall of Jerusalem. It was a tough gig. Everyone loved a prophet who shared good news. If the news was bad—off with his head! Underground House Calls is a part of "Go and Do," a ministry equipping believers to help their fellow believers in persecuted countries. More information can be found at: http://www.becomingjoshua.org

How can the ancient Hebrew language unlock a deeper way of listening to Christ with our whole heart, soul, and might?In this week's episode of Latter-Day Lights, Scott Brandley and guest co-host Emily Hemmert sit down with Dr. Trina Boice—university professor, longtime author, avid scripture educator, and Hebrew enthusiast—to explore the “Via Dolorosa,” more commonly known as the sorrowful path Christ walked from condemnation to crucifixion. Dr. Trina shares what it's like to trace the traditional stations through Jerusalem, why this journey can reframe the Atonement as more than a single moment, and how sacred spaces (even outside our own faith tradition) can invite powerful spiritual reflection. Together, these experiences point to a discipleship that is not only believed, but lived through both body and spirit.And, as we look ahead to the 2026 "Come, Follow Me" study of the Old Testament, Trina introduces a foundational Hebrew word, “Shema,” and how its layers of meaning (to hear, to hearken, to obey) can transform the way we approach scripture study and prayer. Along the way, she shares moving experiences from the Western Wall, insights into Jewish worship and devotion, and a renewed invitation to find Jesus Christ woven throughout the Old Testament.Ultimately, this conversation invites us to move beyond simply reading the scriptures to truly living them. Through language, history, and lived experience, Dr. Trina reminds us that discipleship is not passive, but a wholehearted response to the Savior's voice in every season of our lives.*** Please SHARE Dr. Trina's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/ZsmC_RzdGeg-----To LEARN MORE about Dr. Trina, visit: https://www.TrinaBoice.comTo LEARN MORE about Dr. Trina's author coaching services, visit: https://www.frombook2business.com/To READ Dr. Trina's book, "The Language of Heaven," visit: https://a.co/d/4j5b4kXTo READ Dr. Trina's book, "Via Dolorosa," visit: https://www.cedarfort.com/products/via-dolorosa-christs-path-to-the-cross?srsltid=AfmBOoriQlGGDu7ngEuLrfu0GN38cg1FUe-z7ovPv7bYXO6i-NCc9pD6To LISTEN to Dr. Trina's podcast, "Daily Inspirational Quote," visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/17RPUlzByZQVu4zmqktoZ0?si=86c6033495a048f1To WATCH Dr. Trina's movie reviews, visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieReviewMom To READ Scott's new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/-----Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylightsAlso, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-a60181940547e72684af5c9b08385205{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-a60181940547e72684af5c9b08385205 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-a60181940547e72684af5c9b08385205 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 14Daniel 9:1-19 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 14 Daniel 9:1-19 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1214db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Daniel 9 Daniel's Prayer 1 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, [1] who was a Mede by descent and who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign, [2] I, Daniel, understood from the scrolls that, according to the word of the Lord given to the prophet Jeremiah, the number of years it would take to complete the devastation of Jerusalem was seventy years. 3 With fasting, sackcloth, and ashes I turned my face to the Lord God to seek him in prayer and to plead for grace. 4 I prayed to the Lord, my God, and I made confession. Please, Lord, you are the great God, who is to be feared, [3] who keeps the covenant, and who shows mercy to those who love him and keep his commands. 5 We have sinned. We have been guilty. We have acted wickedly. We have rebelled and turned aside from your commands and standards. 6 We did not listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, officials, and fathers and to all the people of the land. 7 Righteousness is yours, Lord, but we are filled with shame this day—we the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, both near and far, in all the lands where you have banished them because of the treachery with which they betrayed you. 8 Lord, we are filled with shame—our kings, our officials, and our fathers, who sinned against you. 9 Acts of compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, even though we have rebelled against him. 10 We did not listen to the voice of the Lord our God by walking according to his laws that he set before us through the hand of his servants, the prophets. 11 All Israel violated your law and turned away by not listening to your voice. So you poured out the curse on us and fulfilled the oath that is written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, because we sinned against him. 12 God has fulfilled the words that he spoke against us and against our judges by bringing such a great disaster upon us. What was done in Jerusalem has never been done under all of heaven. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster came upon us, but we did not seek the favor of the Lord our God to turn from our guilt and to gain insight into your truth. 14 Therefore, the Lord watched over the disaster and brought it upon us, because the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does, but we did not listen to his voice. 15 And now, Lord our God, you who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made a name for yourself to this very day, we have sinned, we have acted wickedly. 16 Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain, although, because of our sins and the guilt of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people are viewed with contempt by everyone around us. 17 Now listen, our God, to the prayer of your servant and to his plea for grace, and let your face shine upon your desolate sanctuary for your sake, my Lord. 18 My God, turn your ear toward us and listen. Open your eyes and see the desolation that is upon us and the city that is called by your name. No, it is not because of our righteous acts that we are casting our plea for grace before you, but because of your great acts of compassion. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, pay attention! Act, and do not delay—for your sake, my God, because your city and your people are called by your name. Footnotes Daniel 9:1 Hebrew Ahasuerus. The later Persian king who had this name is called Xerxes in Esther. Xerxes is the Greek form of this name. The Darius referred to here is either Cyrus the Persian or one of his deputies. Daniel 9:2 In 539 bc Daniel 9:4 Or revered #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to him, to ask him: Who art thou?Et hoc est testimonium Joannis, quando miserunt Judaei ab Jerosolymis sacerdotes et Levitas ad eum ut interrogarent eum : Tu quis es? 20 And he confessed, and did not deny: and he confessed: I am not the Christ.Et confessus est, et non negavit, et confessus est : Quia non sum ego Christus. 21 And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered: No.Et interrogaverunt eum : Quid ergo? Elias es tu? Et dixit : Non sum. Propheta es tu? Et respondit : Non. 22 They said therefore unto him: Who art thou, that we may give an answer to them that sent us? What sayest thou of thyself?Dixerunt ergo ei : Quis es ut responsum demus his qui miserunt nos? quid dicis de teipso? 23 He said: I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.Ait : Ego vox clamantis in deserto : Dirigite viam Domini, sicut dixit Isaias propheta. 24 And they that were sent, were of the Pharisees.Et qui missi fuerant, erant ex pharisaeis. 25 And they asked him, and said to him: Why then dost thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet?Et interrogaverunt eum, et dixerunt ei : Quid ergo baptizas, si tu non es Christus, neque Elias, neque propheta? 26 John answered them, saying: I baptize with water; but there hath stood one in the midst of you, whom you know not.Respondit eis Joannes, dicens : Ego baptizo in aqua : medius autem vestrum stetit, quem vos nescitis. 27 The same is he that shall come after me, who is preferred before me: the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose.Ipse est qui post me venturus est, qui ante me factus est : cujus ego non sum dignus ut solvam ejus corrigiam calceamenti. 28 These things were done in Bethania, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.Haec in Bethania facta sunt trans Jordanem, ubi erat Joannes baptizans.

What happens when Heaven meets Earth? Joy moves in. In this powerful Advent message, Pastor Jamie Wright reveals a life-altering truth: the joy of the Lord is not fragile, seasonal, or dependent on our performance—it is Kingdom joy, rooted in God's heart toward humanity. Drawing from Nehemiah, the Christmas story, and the Gospel itself, this sermon reframes joy not as something we generate for God, but something we receive from Him. From the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls to the incarnation of Christ, Scripture shows us a God who moves toward us with joy before repentance, before obedience, and before we ever “get it right.” If you've been weary from striving, burdened by shame, or chasing joy through effort, this message is an invitation to rest. God's presence is not something you have to enter—it's Someone who has already entered your world and now lives within you. Because when you understand how God feels about you, strength rises, endurance grows, and joy becomes unshakable. When Heaven met Earth, joy didn't wait for humanity to improve—joy moved toward us. And that joy is still our strength today.

The Suffering of Daniel      Daniel's story begins in the shadow of national tragedy. As a young man, likely in his mid-to-late teens, he was taken captive when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and carried many of Judah's nobility to Babylon (Dan 1:1–4). Torn from his homeland, stripped of freedom, and thrust into the heart of a pagan empire, Daniel entered a culture saturated with idolatry, sorcery, and political scheming. Babylon sought not only to enslave his body but to reprogram his mind, to erase his identity as a servant of the Lord and remake him into a loyal functionary of the empire. The king ordered that his name be changed, his education redirected, and his diet replaced with food from the royal table (Dan 1:5–7). Yet from the very beginning, “Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself” (Dan 1:8). Daniel was resolved to stand firm in his faith. He understood that his real allegiance was not to Babylon's king but to the God of heaven. In a foreign land, he refused to lose his spiritual identity.      Daniel's discipline, humility, and doctrinal integrity made him a standout in Babylon. He did not protest his captivity, rebel against authority, or seek escape through human means. Instead, he accepted his circumstances as part of God's sovereign plan and chose to function as an ambassador for the Lord in enemy territory. God rewarded his faithfulness by granting him “knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom,” and Daniel himself was given “understanding of all kinds of visions and dreams” (Dan 1:17). Through divine promotion, Daniel rose to positions of high influence under successive kings and empires, yet he never compromised his loyalty to God. Living in the center of a hostile, idolatrous culture, Daniel demonstrated that it is possible to maintain spiritual stability and grace orientation even when surrounded by corruption and pressure. Daniel understood that divine viewpoint, not environment, determines stability.      Suffering intensified with the passing years. Daniel's three companions—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—faced the fiery furnace when they refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar's golden image (Dan 3:12–18). They told Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… but even if He does not, let it be known… that we are not going to serve your gods” (Dan 3:17–18). They were willing to die rather than dishonor God. Their deliverance from the furnace demonstrated divine power, but more importantly, it vindicated their faith and revealed God's glory before a watching pagan world. Thieme notes, “This historical event illustrates a tremendous principle in the doctrine of suffering. God has designed human suffering for the blessing of the believer. Blessing is only possible when there is a consistent daily intake of Bible doctrine, which leads to spiritual maturity and occupation with Christ.”[1] Likewise, Daniel himself faced the lions' den when he refused to alter his prayer life under Darius' decree (Dan 6:10). He understood that prayer was a lifeline to the God who sustained him.      Daniel's long exile, spanning roughly seventy years, was marked by pressure, promotion, and persecution. He served under multiple kings, from Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus, and in each administration he maintained the same spiritual consistency. Though elevated to positions of immense political power, he remained humble before God, recognizing that all authority is delegated by the Sovereign of heaven (Dan 2:21). His prophetic visions and intercessory prayers reveal a man whose heart was never seduced by Babylon's wealth or wisdom but fixed on God's promises to Israel. Through testing, isolation, and exposure to pagan corruption, Daniel became the living embodiment of grace under pressure, a believer functioning in the devil's world without being conformed to it (Rom 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-16).      Daniel's captivity demonstrates the divine principle that adversity is God's classroom for spiritual advance. Like Joseph in Egypt and David in the wilderness, Daniel learned that promotion comes not from human favor but from the Lord (Psa 75:6–7). His entire life illustrates that faith is most often tested in crisis, and that true stability is the result of divine viewpoint thinking applied under pressure. Through exile and affliction, God transformed a Hebrew captive into a statesman-prophet, refining his faith through suffering and using his life as a witness to Gentile rulers. Daniel's story proves that spiritual victory does not require favorable circumstances, only a heart anchored in divine truth. In every generation, his life stands as a model of how to live faithfully in a pagan world without losing one's spiritual integrity: “The people who know their God will display strength and take action” (Dan 11:32). Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] R. B. Thieme, Jr., Daniel: Chapters One Through Six (Houston: R. B. Thieme, Jr. Bible Ministries, 2003), 83.

Christ Our King: The Word Enthroned 12.14.25 Pastor Tony Felich   2 Samuel 7:12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. [13] He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.[16] And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'”   Psalm 2:6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” [7] I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. [8] Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.   Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.   Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, [2] saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”   Philippians 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. [12] His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. [13] He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. [14] And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. [15] From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.   WLC 45 Q. How doth Christ execute the office of a king? A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory and their good; and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God and obey not the gospel.”

The Triumphal Entry 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat […]

What if the birth of Jesus wasn't just a miraculous moment—but the culmination of centuries of divine orchestration? In this powerful Christmas message, we trace the extraordinary journey God set in motion long before Joseph and Mary ever traveled to Bethlehem, revealing how prophecy, politics, and the very stars aligned to bring the Messiah into the world. Discover the fascinating connection between Daniel's role as chief of the Magi in ancient Persia and the wise men who followed the Star of Bethlehem to find the newborn King. Learn how Balaam's prophecy about a star rising from Jacob, spoken over a thousand years earlier, pointed directly to Jesus' birth. We'll explore why King Herod and all of Jerusalem were deeply disturbed when the Magi arrived—and it wasn't just about a baby. This message unpacks the prophetic timeline from Micah's prophecy about Bethlehem, through Jacob's blessing over Judah, to the Roman census that moved Joseph and Mary exactly where they needed to be. You'll see how God used empires, rivalries, and even a government tax registration to fulfill His perfect plan. The birth of Jesus was no accident—it was the most carefully orchestrated event in human history. Whether you're seeking a deeper understanding of the Christmas story or wondering how God might be setting up circumstances in your own life, this message will encourage your faith and reveal the incredible sovereignty of God across time. He declares the end from the beginning—and He's not done working in your story yet either!

““Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”” (Matthew 11:3–6 NLT-SE)

““Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”” (Matthew 11:3–6 NLT-SE)

B"H Hanukkah isn't just a festival of lights.It's a declaration of identity, it's a powerful connection to Jewish identity, the Land of Israel, and the struggle against cultural erasure. Hanukkah tells the story of resilience.Of holding on to who we are. Of our unbreakable connection to Jerusalem, then and now. More than candles.More than miracles.A testament to the Jewish soul. To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

These days, having a child out of wedlock is pretty much a valid lifestyle choice in many cultures. I'm not saying that it's right, just that that's how it's perceived. But back in Jesus' day … man it was a huge scandal. Seriously.   A MISCONCEPTION Well, here we are hurtling towards Christmas. You know, it's interesting when you look at the candy cane – you know that simple little cane with the white and then the three small stripes and then the big stripe – and we think of it as a candy cane, but the confectioner who first created it, didn't create it as a candy cane. He created it as a "J" for Jesus and the white was there to symbolise the holiness of God and the three small stripes were there to symbolise the stripes on His back when He was beaten and the one thick stripe, the red stripe was there to symbolise the blood of Jesus. Isn't it funny how we take symbols to do with Christmas and a whole bunch of other things and we change their meaning – we re-interpret them – and I think it's really true of this thing that we call Christmas. You know, as I look at my four years studying at Bible College, the most profound thing that I learned was this – that theologians, and I can class myself as one of those – we love to take the stories of God in the Bible and snip them up and put them in little piles which we call doctrines. You know, the doctrine of the Trinity; the doctrine of original sin; the doctrine of the incarnation and so we think, "WOW, you know, I've sorted out God; I've got Him is little piles; I have a systematic theology and now I understand God." Well, in a sense that's good, because it's good to know what we believe and why we believe it and look at the whole council of God in His Word. But you know something, if that's all we do, I think maybe, we missed the point because God's chosen way of revealing Himself to us is mostly through stories. Stories throughout history of His engagement with His chosen people, Israel, and then in the New Testament, stories of His new promise; stories of His grace as the church grew out of a revelation of God through Jesus Christ. God speaks to us through His story in history and to me that's the most profound insight that I got after four years of Bible College. And no where is that more true than in Jesus. John in his Gospel calls Jesus the Word, "In the beginning was the Word." Jesus is God talking to us saying, "This is what I'm like." Jesus is a message in a bottle. And Jesus is unique – He is the only person in history, as the Son of God, who could have chosen the place, the time and the circumstances of His birth. Let's just think about that for a minute. It's true isn't it? If Jesus is who He says He is – the Son of God – He is the only person in history that could have chosen the circumstances of His birth. Well, if that's true; if it was a deliberate choice, what is God saying to us about Himself through the manner in which Jesus came into the world, through this story that we now call Christmas. See, it's not some neat doctrine; it's not some neat theology of the incarnation. We learn about Christmas through the stories in Matthew and Mark and Luke and John and I guess, in a sense, many of us know them backwards. But Matthew begins, after the great, long genealogy that we looked at the other week – Matthew now begins with this story – if you've got a Bible, grab it, open it – we are going to Matthew, chapter 1, beginning at verse 18. It says this: "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way." So in other words, here's the story. "When His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he decided to do that, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife for the child conceived in her is from God the Holy Spirit. She will bear you a son and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "look the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and they shall name Him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us". When Joseph awoke from the sleep he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. He took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a Son and he named Him Jesus." So here's Mary, pregnant from the Holy Spirit. How? Well, Luke tells us the angel appeared to her and said, "Fear not!" Have you ever seen a Christmas card with "Fear not!" plastered across the front? Not really! So how to you think Mary felt? She gets spoken to by an angel; she gets told not to be afraid, "you're going to be pregnant because God the Holy Spirit is going to make you pregnant." Now how do you think it went when Mary told Joseph? Here's this single teenage girl from this place called Nazareth; Nowheresville and she wanders in with her belly swollen and she says to her fiancee, "Well, Joe, it's like this – I didn't sleep with anyone – God did this!" WOW! Would you believe her? Joseph didn't – he planned to dismiss her quietly because this was a society where getting pregnant out of wedlock was a disgraceful thing. I mean, the Hebrew law commanded the women who were caught in adultery be stoned to death so the social context was that it wasn't a life style choice; it was something that you stoned someone to death for. But Joseph has a dream. Remember he doesn't have a New Testament; he doesn't know how it's going to turn out. He has this subjective thing called a dream and even if it were true, what incredible pain. How many times would Mary have gone over the angel's words? How many times do you think Joseph would be second guessing his dream? How breathtakingly reckless was God to allow the whole future of humanity to hang on the responses of these two poorly educated, hapless, rural teenagers? I mean, we know Him as Lord, the Christ, the Son of God but His parents and family friends; Mary's little illegitimate baby; the bastard; the stigma. Yet that's what Jesus chose for Himself. That's why I've called this message, "The Illegitimate God". You and I, we read this story of Christmas with a sense of wander and awe and we know how it ended. Then, back then and there? Well, for them it was a scandal; it was a fantasy; it was, "Is God really doing this?"   SOME VISITORS So here we are looking at this story of Christmas – firstly, the way that this baby was conceived – the sense of scandal that would have followed Him around when He was a little child – but then He was born into this brutal, political climate. Let's read on the story; this space and time and situation that God chose for His Son to be born into. We are going to pick it up in Matthew, chapter 2, beginning at verse 1: In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking, "Where is this child that has been born the King of the Jews, because we observed His star at it's rising and we have come to pay homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened and all Jerusalem with him. And calling together all the chief priests and the scribes and the people, he enquired of them, 'where the Messiah was to be born?' And they told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet, "And you Bethlehem in the land of Judea, are by no means the least amongst the rulers of Judea, for from you shall come a ruler who is to be the Shepherd of His people, Israel." And the story goes on that Herod secretly called for the wise men and he told them, "Go and find this Jesus and come and tell me", because he wanted to kill Jesus. We look at the politics of Palestine and Israel today – the mess – there seems to be no solution – they just keep shooting each other and blowing each other up. Back then it wasn't much different! You had a brutal Roman empire and the Roman Emperor ruled over a whole bunch of countries including this little country called Israel. And under him you had a despot; an Herodian King. And then this Herodian dynasty – we know about Herod – they were sort of half breeds and they were illegitimate and they were in cahoots with the Romans – together they oppressed the people. The religious leaders were part of all that and there was this sense of hopelessness amongst the people. It was every bit as messy then as it is today. And into this malaise is born Jesus, the Son of God and then these wise men – these Magi (a Magi was an astrologer; a sooth sayer). All of this was forbidden in the Old Testament – people who worshipped the stars were to be stoned to death. And they came from where? From the East; from Babylon – eighty kilometres south of what today is Baghdad. And remember, Babylon was a place of horror and evil for first century Israelites because that's where in 587 and 586 BC they were exiled into slavery. So God invites the Magi; these astrologers from hell to come to the birth of His Son and to worship Him. If you and I were God would we have invited them? I don't think so. And yet God doesn't just invite them but how does He go and get them from Babylon to Bethlehem? Does He send them a prophet? Does He send them John the Baptist? Does He send them a letter? Does He send them the Scriptures? He doesn't do any of those, He sends them a star. You see, God chooses a symbol that they can understand and follow and brings them to worship this child. Babylon who once destroyed the temple and exiled the chosen people is now worshipping the true God. God may well have hated their sin but He loved them much more that He hated their sin. And then one night in a dream – if you flick over the page to Matthew, chapter 2, beginning at verse 13 – Joseph has another dream, it says this: Now after the Magi had left, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and says: "Get up and take this child and His mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child and destroy Him. So Joseph got up, took the child and His mother by night and went to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord, through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I have called My Son." See, here we go again – Joseph is having another dream – this subjective thing. It's not like he sits down and he reads the New Testament; he reads the Old Testament and God speaks to him through His Word. No, God spoke to Joseph through a dream and so Joseph and Mary and Jesus all became refugees. They had no rights; they had no land; they had no possessions; they were fleeing for their lives. There are thirty two point nine million refugees in the world today. That's grown by almost fifty percent in just twelve months. Jesus, the Son of God becomes a refugee. How long? What would they live on? Where would they live? Where would they go? Would they be safe? They had to endure hardship for the first few years of His little life. Would you or I, if we were God, have put our son through this? And you read on in Matthew, chapter 2, verses 16 to 18. "When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. This massacre of the infants – have you ever seen a Christmas card about the massacre of the infants? See, we turn Christmas into this little pantomime, but the birth of Jesus into this world; the time when God stepped into this world and became man was a brutal time; it was a tough time and it was the time God chose for His Son. I mean, today we see suicide bombers in the Middle East and the shelling of targets and the shooting by snipers – imagine if you added to that the slaughter of all the children under two in and around Bethlehem – you don't see that on a Christmas card do you? What was God thinking by sending His Son into such a mess?   SO WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT GOD? And then of course, after they returned from Egypt, Jesus and His family moved to Nazareth – you can read it in Matthew, chapter 2, beginning at verse 19. When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up and take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel for those who are seeking the child's life are now dead. So Joseph got up, took the child and His mother and he went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea, in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there and after being warned in a dream, he went to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: "He will be called a Nazarene." God allowed, indeed, constructed the circumstances so that the Son of God would grow up in the backblocks of nowhere – in Nazareth. Does anything good come out of Nazareth? And He became a carpenter; not the King; not the head of theology at Jerusalem seminary; not the chief grand whatever in the synagogue or the temple – a lowly carpenter. So what do we learn about God? If God chose the circumstances into which Jesus would be born; if He chose these two young teenagers; if He chose the stable in Bethlehem; if He chose Herod and the persecution and the flight, what does that tells us about God? If Jesus came to reveal God to us, what do we learn about God from the first Christmas? When you read through the Old Testament about God you see His sovereignty; His power; His hugeness; His transcendence. Isaiah says: To whom will you compare Me? Who is My equal," says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and see who created all these stars. See, God is great. Here at Christmas we see this greatness reduced to the size of the single fertilised egg – not even visible to the human eye. Born in the stable with the stench of cow dung and urine on the floor, hunted down, a refugee, the massacre of these infants around Him and then slinking back to Nazareth to eek out an ignominious existence as a carpenter, relying on two uneducated teenage bumpkins for safety and nurture – with always the hint of scandal – Mary's little illegitimate child. Well may God be great but hang on a minute, when you look at Christmas, my God is also small. My God is also humble. If you look at this theological doctrine of incarnation, Jesus the Son of God and the Son of Man – He's different to us yet He's the same as us. But if we really ask ourselves the question, we would mostly conclude that Jesus was fundamentally different from you and me. But like Luther, I believe that if we are even to begin to understand what God is saying in Jesus, we have to draw the conclusion that Jesus is God, deep graven into the flesh. Like the candy cane – on the one hand, white and pure and blameless and different, but with a red stripe; with the blood, suffering like us, He lived, He suffered, He cried, He struggled, like us. That's the point of Christmas; that's the point of Jesus being born into these brutal circumstances, in such humble surrounds. This is God saying, "Jesus is like us". We can have the best doctrine of the incarnation and completely miss the point. God is humble. He shows us that in a profound way at Christmas. He chose the time. He chose the circumstances. He chose the stable and the animals in it. He connects with us. That's why Jesus says later in Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28: Come to Me all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest in your souls." And later in John, chapter 16, verse 33: "I've said these things to you that in Me you might have peace for in this world you will have tribulations but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world." What a contradiction! God, the sovereign God who created all the universe through Jesus, all things that were created were, in fact, created. And yet He calls Himself humble; He makes Himself low at Christmas time. But then everything about Jesus is a contradiction. On the one hand He's the Lion of Judah; on the other hand He's the Lamb of God. When I look at the Christmas story – just the way it is, just plain and simple – look at the circumstances that Jesus was born into, you know what I see? I see something that rings true; I see an authenticity; I see a Jesus who comes humbly into this world and then says, "Come to Me because I'm gentle, I'm humble of heart." I see a Jesus who was prepared to be a refugee; who is prepared to be under threat of death. It's an amazing thing, Christmas and you know, if we just look at it as a pantomime; if we just sing the wonderful little songs and still look at it as children, I think we miss the point. God chose an amazing time for Jesus to be born and we look at Christmas by knowing how it all ended up. We've read the whole New Testament; we have the benefit of knowing that He died and rose again and the church grew up out of that and two thousand years on, you know, we are living the life. So we look back at Christmas through a whole bunch of history and stuff that those people, at that time, simply didn't have. Philip Yancey sums it up this way – I love what he says. This is what he writes: "He is the image of the invisible God; the first born over all creation," an apostle would later write, "He is before all things and in Him all things hold together," But the few eye witnesses on Christmas night saw none of those things. They saw an infant struggling to work never before used lungs. It's the story of a God who steps out of heaven, powerful, transcendent, able to choose anything He wants – He chooses Mary and Joseph; He chooses a stable; He chooses for His Son to become a refugee; He chooses for His Son to grow up in Nazareth as a carpenter. God speaks to us through this Christmas story. God went to extraordinary lengths to say this: "I am humble of heart. I have come to be one of you. I have come to walk in your shoes, in your skin, to experience all the things that you experience." It's the message of Christmas. A God who reaches out in the most amazing way; in the most startling way; in a way that we would never have done if we were God – and speaks to us His love and His desire to have a relationship with us. That is what Christmas is about.

In this powerful and emotional conversation, Jewish music icon Yaakov Shwekey opens up about the evolution of Jewish music, the responsibility of an artist, and the deeply personal moments that shaped his life and career. From unforgettable camp memories and behind-the-scenes studio stories to the creation of his upcoming massive Shabbos project, Shwekey reflects on legacy, inspiration, and the transformative power of music. He shares raw stories about loss, fatherhood, kindness, and how music can lift broken hearts—from hospital rooms in Israel to Shabbos tables around the world. Music producer Donny Gross joins to give a rare inside look at the creative process behind their most ambitious project yet: a multi-hour Shabbos experience meant to reconnect families to song, tradition, and joy. If you love Jewish music, appreciate authenticity, or just need a dose of inspiration—this episode is for you.   This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:   ► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again! https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp _______________________________________   ►Blooms Kosher   Bring you the best Kosher products worldwide.   https://bloomskosher.com   ______________________________________   ►Banana Blast Rentals   Bringing exciting entertainment for all your occasions. https://bananablasts.com https://wa.link/i4qlgh   _______________________________________ ► The Kichel Collection It's here just in time for Chanukah

In the midst of colorful creations made from old plastic bottles cut to resemble feathers and even lampshades, a tour guide at the New Orleans museum shared the thinking behind the use of such material. “For a city that’s had such hardship, we’ve also learned to use what we have to create joy and beauty. We don’t focus only on the hard times; we celebrate the resilience.” Nehemiah and the Israelites also faced hardship but resiliently pressed on in God’s joy. They’d been captured and taken away from their home, and at last were able to return to Jerusalem from exile (Nehemiah 4:7-12). But upon arriving, they still faced opposition to rebuild the wall that protected Jerusalem (Nehemiah 6). Even after the wall was completed and they gathered for a celebration, hearing the words of God’s law, their spirits were heavy. They were “weeping as they listened” (8:9). But Nehemiah reminded them that they could find joy and strength in God—remembering who He was and what He’d brought them through. Nehemiah told them, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (v. 10). Focusing on God can give us joy and strength too, especially when our circumstances seem dire. God’s ability, character, and the Scriptures can renew our minds and bring us joy (v. 12)—providing the strength and resilience we need.

Send us a textA concrete-walled hospital, two open wards, and a handful of nurses training students to shoulder the work—our story begins there, in late-1970s Gaza, where medicine, faith, and friendship intersected with daily need. Carlotta shares how a verse in Luke moved her from homebody to journeyman nurse, and how routine dawn rounds gave way to something bigger: home health across packed refugee camps, conversations over wound care, and a classroom that doubled as a laboratory for courage.We pull back the curtain on a Christmas Eve few imagine. As part of Israel's lone Christian choir, Carlotta sang carols in Bethlehem at 11:30 pm, under searchlights and the watch of soldiers on rooftops. The square buzzed, the wind cut hard, and yet the message held steady: hope can speak over noise. That season stretched further with a Perry Como recording near Jerusalem's walls, a surreal bridge between Western audiences and the stone and stories of the Holy Land.The heartbeat of the episode lands in the quiet weeks that followed: a small Bible study that grew, two Greek Orthodox students discipled deeply, and then a surprise—22 Muslim students professed faith over several months. One young woman described a dream of blood like rain, recognized as Christ's forgiveness, sealing a change that shaped her life. We reflect on safety, politics, and the complex mix of admiration and suspicion toward America at the time, while holding fast to the ordinary aims we all share: to work, to care for family, to find meaning that lasts.Our path to long-term overseas service closed with a glaucoma diagnosis at 23, but that detour opened decades of short-term missions, community work, crisis pregnancy centers, and church planting at home. If this story resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review—then tell us which moment stayed with you after the credits rolled.Support the showhttps://www.jacksonfamilyministry.comhttps://bobslone.com/home/podcast-production/

A @Christadelphians Video: Description: What's in store for Israel? Their military campaigns may lead to confidence and assurance about their own abilities. The northern host led by Russia will do untold damage to Jerusalem and almost annihilate the people of Israel in the coming battle of Armageddon. The Jews are only saved by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ which prompts a repentance and belief in the Saviour. So Israel will be saved.[Watchman Report: 'The Coming Tribulation' - Nigel Bernard]This thought-provoking and insightful Bible talk by Nigel Bernard offers a revealing biblical perspective on current events in Israel. Moving beyond the headlines, this expositional presentation examines what prophecy reveals about Israel's future, the necessary period of tribulation before its ultimate deliverance, and the sobering reality of the coming invasion foretold in Ezekiel.Gain a deeper understanding of the prophecies concerning Gog, the mountains of Israel (the West Bank), and the divine intervention that will culminate at Armageddon. This analysis is essential for any Bible student seeking to view world news through the lens of Scripture and understand the events that must precede the establishment of God's kingdom.**Chapters / Timestamps:**00:00 - Introduction: A Biblical Perspective on World News00:53 - The Prophecy of a Northern Invasion (Ezekiel 38)02:51 - Israel's Future Confidence and Security03:52 - Current Events as a Stepping Stone to Prophecy04:15 - Israel's Confidence vs. God's Purpose05:16 - The Refining Fire of Tribulation (Zechariah 13:8-9)06:17 - The Siege of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-2)06:46 - A Warning to Flee07:42 - Weeping for Jerusalem, Hoping for Deliverance08:44 - The Purpose of Tribulation and National Repentance09:30 - Conclusion and Call to Subscribe**Bible Verses Referenced:**

On October 6, 2023, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik sat at his desk facing a deadline for his monthly column. Israel's citizens were then furiously debating judicial reform, but he'd already had his say on that matter. He decided to write about something else instead: a Jeopardy episode where three educated contestants stared blankly when asked to identify the source of this line: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death." This, among the most famous images in all of Western literature, comes of course from Psalm 23. And none of the contestants knew it.   Rabbi Soloveichik submitted the piece on October 6, hours before the festival of Shemini Atzeret. The next morning, October 7, the Jewish people would be thrust into the valley of the shadow of death. T'hillim, as the Psalm are known in Hebrew, would, over the following weeks and months, accompany the Jewish people's every thought. Their distress could be articulated in David's very own words, linking their pain to his pain, their redemptive dreams to his redemptive dreams, their future to his future.   In his new podcast, "Poetry and Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms," Soloveichik walks listeners through all 150 psalms, one by one. For today's episode, he sits down with Jonathan Silver, the editor of Mosaic, to discuss this ambitious project. He puts forward a striking claim in the course of the conversation: the Psalms represent something unprecedented in ancient literature. While Homer or Gilgamesh depict external action—heroic deeds, cosmic battles—the Psalms take their reader (or reciter) inside someone else's soul. The Psalmist explores the full range of human emotion—doubt and faith, despair and joy, rage and delight—all while maintaining an awareness of God's presence. It's the first example in world literature of what the critic Edward Cahill calls "the eye of interiority."   When Iranian missiles fell on their cities at 2:00 am one night, Israelis immediately Googled "T'hillim" on their iPhones. An IDF soldier named Yossi Hershkovitz composed a new melody to Psalm 23 while serving in Gaza, and was killed days later—his tune surviving because a comrade taught it to his children. In America, the Psalms shaped the country's founding, from the First Continental Congress reading Psalm 35 to Lincoln quoting from the book in his Second Inaugural. More recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech in Jerusalem's City of David connecting American exceptionalism to the very site where the Psalms were written.   This episode of the Tikvah Podcast is sponsored by Samuel and Malka Harris Susswein in honor of Sam Susswein's birthday. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of this podcast, or of any other in Tikvah's growing podcast network, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle.  

In our final episode in the book of Zechariah, the prophet proclaims that Jerusalem will be secure from warring nations. They will be blessed further through spiritual reconciliation with God. He will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and on Jerusalem, and they will mourn for the one they pierced. On that day a fountain will be opened to wash away their sin and impurity. Living water from Jerusalem will flow in abundance, Like the prophet Isaiah, Zechariah predicts that the nations will come from all around to worship the God of Israel.Zechariah 12 - 1:15 . Zechariah 13 - 4:33 . Zechariah 14 - 7:39 . Isaiah 59 - 12:55 . Isaiah 60 - 17:50 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

It's all about a war of ideas between Greece and Jerusalem. How important is the past and the future, compared to the present?  Should a man and woman commit to share a life or should they train themselves to enjoy temporary hookups? Should we use energy enthusiastically or shun it? Enjoy this explanation: https://rabbidaniellapin.com/product/festival-of-lights-instant-download/. Is it right that some people own a lot while others have little? Shouldn't all property be owned by all the people? These are the ideas that have to be agreed upon when you start a society or a country. America used to but no longer.

Destruction of Jerusalem, Antichrist, Biblical prophecy, Millennial reign, historical evidence, Dark Ages, judgment, end times, Christian theology, Roman history, anti-Semitism, Christ's second coming, Satan's little season, eschatology, spiritual warfare, Job's trials, resurrection, 144,000, simulation hypothesis, Christian faithThis conversation delves into the complex themes of biblical prophecy, historical events, and theological interpretations surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem, the Antichrist, and the nature of the millennial reign. The speakers explore how historical accounts, particularly from Josephus and Tacitus, provide context for understanding these events and their implications for modern Christian theology. They also discuss the significance of the Dark Ages in relation to the loss of historical knowledge and the potential distortion of timelines that affects our understanding of biblical events. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the intricate relationship between faith, history, and prophecy. This conversation delves into complex theological themes, including anti-Semitism, the nature of Christ's second coming, and the concept of Satan's little season. The speakers explore the implications of free will in eschatology, the significance of generational timeframes, and the nature of spiritual beings. They also discuss the resurrection, the 144,000 in Revelation, and the simulation hypothesis, all while emphasizing the role of Christians in a troubled world and the importance of seeking truth and grace.Chapters00:00 The Destruction of Jerusalem and Prophecy10:06 Understanding the Antichrist and Historical Context19:55 The Role of the Temple and Biblical Chronology30:14 The Nature of the Millennial Reign39:59 Historical Evidence and the Dark Ages49:56 Theological Implications of Judgment and the End Times01:16:17 Understanding Anti-Semitism and Historical Accountability01:18:11 The Nature of Christ's Second Coming01:19:50 The Concept of Satan's Little Season01:22:10 Agency and Free Will in Eschatology01:25:31 The Significance of Generational Timeframes01:26:10 The Nature of Satan and Spiritual Warfare01:29:25 The Role of Evil in a Post-Millennial World01:32:00 The Complexity of Job's Trials01:36:39 The Nature of God and Spiritual Beings01:43:59 The Afterlife and Resurrection01:55:09 The 144,000 and the Remnant of Israel02:01:14 The Simulation Hypothesis and Biblical Interpretation02:13:22 The Role of Christians in a Troubled World02:22:12 The Search for Truth and Grace in FaithBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jt-s-mix-tape--6579902/support.Please support our sponsor Modern Roots Life: https://modernrootslife.com/?bg_ref=rVWsBoOfcFJESUS SAID THERE WOULD BE HATERS Shirts: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/mens-shirts/WOMEN'S SHIRTS: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/womens-shirts/

Joining State of Tel Aviv and Beyond today is Professor Suzie Navot, one of Israel's foremost constitutional law experts currently serving as Vice President of the Israel Democracy Institute.For six years now Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been on trial for multiple corruption charges. He does not hide his contempt for the judicial system which he considers to be rotten to the core. A consistent theme of his leadership for the last decade has been to relentlessly attack the judiciary and law enforcement institutions for being an elitist, self-serving clique that is also left leaning and determined to sabotage the policies of his successive government coalitions. Most recently, Netanyahu has enlisted the support of U.S. President Trump to publicly pressure President Isaac Herzog to grant him a pardon; to make the charges and the trial just go away. Two months ago, in signature Trump larger-than-life theatrics, the American president implored his Israeli counterpart to just give Bibi a pardon already. Raucous applause filled the Knesset hall - where Trump was speaking - but the din has since died down. Pardoning Netanyahu is no simple matter - legally, politically or in terms of social mores. But Netanyahu is not relenting. In the last two weeks, Bibi and his lawyer sent written documents to President Herzog setting out what they state is the legal rationale for granting a pardon. Interestingly, they present Netanyahu as the man who is needed to heal the country and manage the security and diplomatic challenges free from distractions - like the trial. But, as Prof. Navot notes - Benjamin Netanyahu is charged personally with corruption-related offenses. He is not the state. And he is not above the law. With clarity and precision, Prof. Navot explains why the Netanyahu pardon request does not meet Israeli legal requirements and this request places President Herzog in a very difficult spot.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivPodcast NotesProfessor Suzie Navot is a Professor of Constitutional Law. She holds an LL. B degree from Tel-Aviv University, an MA in Public Policy from Tel-Aviv University and a LL.D from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her doctoral thesis studied the parliamentary immunity of the Knesset members.Prof. Navot's areas of research include constitutional law, law of institutions, parliamentary law and comparative constitutional law.Prior to her appointment to IDI. she served on the faculty of the Striks Faculty of Law, College of Management. For over ten years, she served as a visiting Professor at the National Security College, and from 2009 until 2015, as a visiting Professor at the University of Paris (Sorbonne).Navot has served as the Chairperson of the Israeli Association of Public Law (2014-2017), currently serves on the executive council of the Israeli Association of Legislation and is a member of the Executive Council of the International Association of Constitutional Law (IACL).She is active in a wide range of public activities. A small selection of these activities includes her service on public commissions dealing with such issues as an Ethics Code for the Israeli Parliament, the Presidential volunteers' award; the preparation of a new law on election propaganda (appointed by the Israeli President and the Chair of the Central Elections Committee), and was appointed by the Prime Minster to the board of directors for the Civil Service education program. Since 2021, Prof. Navot serves as a member of the commission tasked with preparing a draft of the Basic Law: The Legislature, presided by the Minister of Justice.Navot has published widely in several languages. She has prepared written opinions for Knesset committees and for the President of Israel on constitutional questions. She received a special award from the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, the prestigious Zeltner prize for a special contribution to Israeli society in the field of law, and the “Ometz” award for a special contribution to the battle against corruption.In recognition of her extraordinary teaching skills, Navot was the recipient of the teaching excellence nomination, for almost 30 consecutive years, and the Inspiring Lecturer award, by the National Students Union.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

Haman's wrath against Mordecai and the Jewish people has returned on his own head. On today's episode, Esther continues to represent her people before the king, turning a day of mourning into a day of rejoicing. As we finish Esther we'll be turning back to the historical narrative recorded in the book of Ezra in which we learn of a new Persian king named Artaxerxes. While historians differ, it is believed that Artaxerxes' father is the Ahaseurus from Esther, known more broadly as Xerxes. We are also introduced to the man for whom the book of Ezra is named as he is sent by Artaxerxes to Jerusalem.Esther 9 - 1:05 . Esther 10 - 8:11 . Ezra 7 - 9:06 . Proverbs 31 - 14:46 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

True Christian love is seen when believers step into the lives of others with willingness and humility. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar reflect on Paul's call to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, explaining that this invitation requires believers to engage rather than sit on the sidelines. Oscar notes that Christian unity is central to the verse's context and that rejoicing with others can be harder than sharing in sorrow, especially when personal struggles make joy feel costly. Yet choosing to celebrate another's blessing reveals spiritual maturity and self-control. Every triumph, setback, and moment of weakness becomes a chance to draw near to the Lord and allow Him to shape emotions that may take time to follow.The guys consider how Jesus held joy and sorrow together, fully aware of human frailty while grieving the consequences of sin. E.Z. feels convicted to fast and focus more intentionally on unbelievers, asking how Christians can enter the world of the lost without compromising truth. They look to Paul's ability to understand cultural longings and failures, using them as bridges for the gospel. Ray explains that remembering his own lostness helps him understand the fear and uncertainty many experience. God has placed eternity in every heart, and recognizing this longing helps believers speak with compassion and awareness.They return to the call to weep with those who weep, affirming that empathy must not replace truth. Caring for someone in pain should include a willingness to point them toward the gospel gently and the reality of sin. Jesus models this balance as He weeps over Jerusalem and over Lazarus, entering real grief even while knowing the outcome. The group notes how often believers bypass lament and rush to quick answers, yet genuine compassion requires presence and patience. Followers of Christ are invited to meet others where they are and resist shallow comfort that avoids accountability.The guys then consider what it means to enter into another person's joy. Rejoicing may require facing inner barriers such as envy or disappointment, yet choosing celebration strengthens unity and encourages growth in others. Christian joy is rooted not in circumstances but in trust that God is working for good. Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents, and believers share in that unity of purpose. Joy and sorrow often coexist in the Christian life, forming a rhythm shaped by hope in Christ's return. Though coldness and criticism come easily, spiritual maturity chooses service, compassion, and unity for the glory of God.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!Revelation 6 The Lamb begins to open the seven seals of the scroll, and with each seal, a powerful event occurs. The first four seals release four horsemen. The first rides a white horse, symbolizing conquest. The second rides a red horse, bringing war. The third rides a black horse, indicating economic hardship and famine. The fourth rides a pale horse, representing death, followed by Hades. The fifth seal reveals the souls of martyrs under the altar, crying out for justice. They are told to rest a little longer until the full number of martyrs is reached. The sixth seal causes great cosmic upheaval: earthquakes, a darkened sun, a blood-red moon, and the sky being rolled up like a scroll. People hide in fear, knowing the day of God's wrath has arrived.  History is not random or out of divine control. The Lamb opens each seal with purpose, and what follows is part of God's plan. We may see war, suffering, injustice, and fear in the world, but we trust that Jesus is not distant. He holds the scroll and oversees all things. When we face hardship, we must not lose heart. Like the faithful ones beneath the altar, we wait and trust that God sees, hears, and will act in His time. We do not place our hope in earthly power or comfort. We place our hope in the Lamb who is worthy and in the justice that will come. We endure with faith, knowing He will make all things right.  Worthy Lord, You are holy and just, and all of history unfolds by Your will. You entrusted the Lamb to open the seals and carry out Your purpose on the earth. Even now, when we see turmoil and pain, remind us that You are not silent or absent. You know every act of evil, and You hear the cries of the faithful. Help us rest in Your timing and trust in Your justice. Teach us to live with reverence, to stand firm in faith, and to remember that Your day will come. You are our refuge and our hope forever.  Thought Questions: The first four seals revealed much turmoil on the earth. In today's time, how does Jesus help you stay at peace when wars and woes abound? Martyrs begged for their blood to be avenged. How do you keep your confidence that God will render appropriate judgment in His time? “The wrath of the Lamb” came upon Jerusalem, and later Rome. Why should nations fear God's wrath, even before the judgment day?