In this episode of Hebrew Voices, Yeshua the Jewish Theologian, Nehemia Gordon speaks with Prof. Brad Young about the powerful explanation of Matthew 11:12 in the context of the Jewish culture of the time, how we know John the Baptist was skeptical about Yeshua being the Messiah, and what it really means to be an anti-christ. Continue reading
In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Vayigash (Ezekiel 37:15-28), Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson set the stage by describing the pivotal time in the history of Israel and Judah when Ezekiel lived and prophesied. They also share the life-changing encounters they've each had with the writings of this prophet. Word studies include:“son of man,” “join,” the plural of “one,” “settlements,” and the rare context of “save” in this Portion. At center stage are the ten lost tribes of Israel. We learn what Josephus knew about the tribes, as well as the opposing views of Rabbis Akiva and Eliezer regarding their ingathering. Proving one of the rabbis in error, Gordon recounts the day he was driving a tractor on an Israeli kibbutz and witnessed a convoy of Ethiopians traversing the highway—fulfilling Ezekiel’s prophecy as they made Aliyah. Gordon and Johnson close with a prayer that light be shed on all 12 tribes, and that the day soon comes when there is one nation, one temple, and one king. Continue reading
In this climactic episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27), Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and Nehemia Gordon critically examines the Midrashic explanation for Jacob’s spirit reviving upon seeing the wagons Joseph sent for him. Does this benign example of Talmudic gymnastics portend other dangers of not being rooted solely in the word of God? The trio debate why Jacob described his 130 years on earth as “few and evil” and parse the following words and phrases: “the one you sold,” “made a father to Pharaoh,” “seventy,” “shepherds,” “silver” and “servants.” In closing, the trio rejoice that their disparate paths led to common ground and a place to witness the worldwide revival of people waking up to the truth and joining themselves to the preserved remnant. Continue reading
In this Support Team Study, Canonization of the Tanakh – Part 1, Nehemia Gordon explores the common claim that the rabbis decided which books were included in the Hebrew Bible and which were left out. We’ll look at ancient sources for the so-called "Synod of Yavneh (Jamnia)" in 90 CE and why some modern scholars believe this was the most important meeting of rabbis in history. Finally, we will separate fact from fiction and find out what the evidence really teaches us about the formation of our Scriptures. Continue reading
In this episode of Hebrew Voices, Lost Tomb of the Maccabees, Nehemia Gordon visits with Israeli archaeologist, Amit Reem, at the newly-discovered probable site of the Tomb of the Maccabees in Modi’in. Reem and Gordon once studied together at Hebrew University. Reem now works for the Israeli Antiquities Authority and is acquiring a PhD in archaeology. For the first twenty years of his career, Reem excavated the walls, fortifications and palaces of Jerusalem and thought he would be bored when reassigned to Modi’in, but has since become impassioned with the area and finding the lost tomb of the Maccabees. According to Reem, every inch of Israel is filled with marvelous things, and no less so in Modi’in. Reem and Gordon discuss the history of Modi’in, the setting of the Hanukkah story, and why Christian connections to this place gives credence to the site being the elusive tomb of the Maccabees. Reem also shows Gordon the place among the tombs where 23 Israelis created a fox hole in the 1948 War of Independence. Unused ammunition was found there, for like the ancient Maccabees, these Israelis sacrificed their lives for the nation of Israel. Continue reading
In this week's Prophet Pearls, Mikeitz (1 Kings 3:15-4:1), Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson provide context, past and present, for the quintessential wisdom-of-Solomon story where a birth mother is determined faster than you can say DNA. “Deeply stirred” like the mother in the story, Johnson compares the fight-at-any-cost spirit to the battles for the Land today—where a two-baby solution is still no solution. To have a clearer understanding of the gift of divine wisdom, Gordon compares the Chronicles version of Solomon’s dream with this Portion’s account. We learn the divisions of knowledge in the Tanakh and in what section the writings of Solomon appear. We learn the main function of the ancient kings of Israel and that you don’t have to be perfect for Yehovah to call you friend. Gordon closes with a prayer that God’s chosen son, the Messiah King of Israel, soon will bring an end to fighting—peace to Israel and the world. Continue reading
In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17), we learn about the earliest manipulation of Hebrew translation in history and Joseph's plot to fulfill his own dream. Linda wrote: “Nehemia, thank you so much for your explanation for Joseph and his divining. I have wondered for years how to reconcile that issue and have asked others but never gotten an answer that seemed plausible.” Continue reading
In my Support Team Study, The Ancient Hebrew Roots of Hanukkah, find out the true history and Hebrew roots of Hanukkah before it was hijacked by ancient rabbis wanting to subjugate the Jewish people under their authority. The original Hanukkah was a celebration of a miraculous military victory and the audacity of faithful Jews to stand against man-made rules and regulations. It's no surprise that the rabbis saw a need to obfuscate the original message of this national Jewish Day of Joy and re-cast it as a reminder of their self-appointed power. It's time to reclaim Hanukkah for Yehovah and stand against the ban of the rabbis and the ancient Greeks alike! Continue reading
In this episode of Hebrew Voices, Airbnb Denies Yeshua a Room, Nehemia Gordon discusses the recent decision to de-list Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria. The Abrahamic spirit that welcomed the three angels in Genesis 18 is now being weaponized through the same sort of boycott used by the Nazis against Jewish businesses. To put this in perspective, Nehemia discusses the most famous Jewish "settler" of "occupied territories" in history, Yeshua of Nazareth. K wrote: “Unbelievable.....Nehemia Thank you for keeping us informed.” Continue reading
In this week's episode of Prophet Pearls, Vayeishev (Amos 2:6-3:8), with seven rhetorical questions and a very straight stick, the shepherd prophet draws an unwavering line between cause and effect. Amos’s rebuke of those who “sell the righteous for silver” provides the connection to the Torah portion. But could the sins of Joseph’s older brothers have reaped a 20th century whirlwind? Nehemia Gordon explains this controversial theory related to ancestral sin. Gordon and Johnson also take a look at Amos’s question of two people walking together. An accurate translation of “agreed” confirms the value of common ground while a faulty translation leads to rampant denominationalism. With cause and effect so tightly woven, we’re reminded that it is a sobering calling to minister the counsel of Adonai Yehovah to the world. Continue reading