Torah Pearls #39 – Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1)

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Torah Pearls ChukatIn this episode of the The Original Torah Pearls, Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1), we discuss, is there a red heifer in Israel? What is the water of menstruation for cleansing? Does a corrupt priesthood invalidate the water of purification and are we cut off without it? Is the site of the Temple off limits today? What exactly did Moses do wrong when Yehovah brought water from the rock? How did the snake on the pole cross the line into idolatry? Continue reading →

Hebrew Voices #47 – A Disastrous Misunderstanding of the Name Yehovah

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In Hebrew Voices, A Disastrous Understanding of the Name Yehovah, Nehemia Gordon explains the true meaning of God's holy Name, and how some twist this to their own destruction. Listen to the brief podcast, and then check out the detailed grammatical explanation of how we know, Yehovah has nothing to do with the Hebrew word for “destruction”. I look forward to reading your comments! Suzette wrote: Forgive me, I was one of those people who knew just enough Hebrew to be dangerous… Thanks for the article! Continue reading →

Prophet Pearls #38 – Korach (1 Samuel 11:14-12:22)

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Prophet Pearls Korach, Samuel, Yehovah, anointed, Nehemia Gordon, Keith Johnson, Prophets, Gilgal, Torah, biblical, Judges, Jerubbaal, Bedan, Ammonites, Nahash, serpent, witness, Messiah, Saul, mercy, day of wrath, the Name, torah pearls, torah portionThis week, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the Prophets portion for Korach covering 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22. Gordon and Johnson’s insight into the language, history, and context surrounding Samuel’s trip to Gilgal not only inform the portion at hand, but other passages in the Torah as well as extra-biblical sources from the times of the Judges. Gordon reveals the possible identities of Jerubbaal and Bedan. The name of the king of the Ammonites, Nahash (serpent) illustrates that metaphors need to be studied carefully. The study of the word-of-the-week, “witness/ed” (ayin-dalet), includes an explanation of hollow verbs—where not all letters of the root appear. Continue reading →

Torah Pearls #38 – Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32)

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Torah Pearls KorachThis episode of The Original Torah Pearls is on the Torah portion of Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32). In the rebellion against Moses & Aaron, did Korah, Dathan and Abiram establish a rival tabernacle? Who are the “men of renown”? Were Korah’s sons also among those swallowed by the earth? What is the significance of the censer for burning incense? Continue reading →

Hebrew Voices #46 – Ivanka and the Religious Police

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Ivanka Trump and the Religious PoliceIn Hebrew Voices, Ivanka and the Religious Police, Nehemia Gordon shares how some Jews came out against Ivanka Trump and her husband, for violating Rabbinic precepts. This type of judging and shaming is unfortunately common in many communities. Have you been a victim of the “Religious Police“? Continue reading →

Prophet Pearls #37 – Shlach (Joshua 2:1-24)

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Prophet Pearls Shlach, Yehovah, Nehemia Gordon, Keith Johnson, Prophets portion, Shlach, Joshua, prostitute, Rahab, spies, Jericho, faith, Canaanite, Elohim, Septuagint, rabbis, tikvah, cord, hope, HaTikvah, national anthem, Israel, peace, Jerusalem, torah pearls, torah portion, torah portion shlach, torah pearls shlachIn this week's Prophet Pearls, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the Prophets portion for Shlach covering Joshua 2:1-24. In the story of the prostitute Rahab hiding the spies, Gordon and Johnson agree to disagree on their interpretations for Joshua’s motives for sending spies to Jericho. Was it simply prudent reconnaissance, or did it show a lack of faith? And how did a Canaanite prostitute know that Yehovah is Elohim? Continue reading →

Torah Pearls #37 – Shlach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)

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atonement, caleb, forgiveness, fringes, hosea, hoshea, jesus, joshua, meraglim, religious police, slang, spies, torah pearls, tzitzit, yehoshua, yeshua, torah pearls shlach, numbers, nehemia gordon, torah portion, hebrew slang, torah, sinThis episode of The Original Torah Pearls is on the Torah portion of Shlach (Numbers 13:1-15:41). In this Torah Portion we discuss what does the name Hoshea mean? Is there Hebrew slang in the Torah? What is God’s perspective of forgiveness? Caleb and Jesus went into the land? What does it mean to sin with an uplifted hand? Also, beware of the tzitzit police! Continue reading →

Hebrew Voices #45 – Heavenly Father’s Day

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Nehemia Gordon with his father.In Hebrew Voices, Heavenly Father’s Day, Nehemia Gordon shares how he found himself at the top of a Colorado mountain, proclaiming a controversial Jewish prayer in memory of his father. You are invited to watch the video (with closed captions) or listen to the podcast. This episode is dedicated to earthly fathers everywhere, and our Heavenly Father above. Continue reading →

Prophet Pearls #36 – Beha’alotecha (Zechariah 2:10[2:14]-4:7)

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Seven branch menorah.In Prophet Pearls Beha'alotecha, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss Zechariah 2:10[2:14]-4:7. Gordon and Johnson bring their best scholarship along with their best guesses to decipher Joshua’s emotive vision of the angel of the Lord, a satan, a stone with seven eyes, a gold lamp-stand, two olive trees and a brand plucked from fire. Continue reading →

Torah Pearls #36 – Beha’alotecha (Numbers 8:1-12:16)

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Torah Pearls BehaalotechaThis episode of The Original Torah Pearls is on the Torah portion of Behaalotecha (Numbers 8:1-12:16). Where are the teaching priests today? Move with the cloud – what was the purpose of the trumpets? Quail and “the graves of lust” – was the mixed multitude framed? Why did Miriam, and not Aaron, suffer the consequences of speaking against Moses? Also, listen to Nehemia as he highlights God’s grace during the 2nd month Passover of Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 30! Continue reading →