Hebrew Voices #155 – Meet the Samaritans!March 22, 2023In this episode of Hebrew Voices #155, Meet the Samaritans!, Nehemia sits down with a real-life Samaritan scholar to discuss the origins of this ancient community, the religious significance of Mount Gerizim, and how an emergency Samaritan Torah crisis requiredContinue Reading
Prophet Pearls #24 – Vayikra (Isaiah 43:21-44:23)March 21, 2023In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the Prophets portion for Vayikra covering Isaiah 43:21-44:23. This portion parallels the Torah’s central section on sacrifices. Gordon and Johnson delve deep into the issues of sacrifice, obedienceContinue Reading
Torah Pearls #24 – Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26)March 20, 2023In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26), we share our recommendations of English translations and how to use them responsibly. What is really going when we see Leviticus chapter 5 ending with verse 19 in theContinue Reading
Prophet Pearls #22-23 – Vayakhel-Pekudei (1 Kings 7:40-8:21)March 14, 2023In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Vayakhel-Pekudei (1 Kings 7:40-8:21), Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson examine the major concepts in this week’s double-header portion – primarily what the Tanakh calls the “House of Yehovah” and how history, tradition, and culturesContinue Reading
Torah Pearls #23 – Pekudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38)March 13, 2023In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Pekudeim (Exodus 38:21-40:38), we discuss how should we respond to the replication and/ or fabrication of Tabernacle items in places of meeting today? What on earth is “carbuncle”? The Aaronic Priesthood is theContinue Reading
Torah Pearls #22 – Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1-38:20)March 13, 2023In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1-38:20), we begin with asking what it means to “kindle a fire” on the Sabbath. Then we ask what it means for someone’s heart to be stirred, and how the variousContinue Reading
Hebrew Voices #154 – Reaping the Benefits of the Medieval Aviv Calendar: Part 1March 8, 2023In this episode of Hebrew Voices #154, Reaping the Benefits of the Medieval Aviv Calendar: Part 1, Nehemia speaks with a scholar at University College London about why Jews transitioned from sighting the new moon to a precalculated calendar, howContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #31 – Look But Don’t TouchMarch 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #31, Look But Don’t Touch, Nehemia and Keith sing a song about the Messiah, delve into the Catalan Hebrew Gospels, and reveal the profound meaning of Yeshua’s words about lust.In this episode…Be sure to firstContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #29 – Confession Time!March 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #29, Confession Time!, Nehemia and Keith explore whether Yeshua taught to profess your sins to the man behind the curtain, whether the blood of the sacrifice cleanses the evildoer, and whether the Sunday altar callContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #27 – Faithful ObedienceMarch 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #27, Faithful Obedience, Nehemia and Keith discuss the “survival kit” that got Nehemia through his Orthodox Jewish high school, do a deep dive on the semitic meaning behind the word “Pharisee”, and read in theContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #11 – Matthew 4:17-22March 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #11, Matthew 4:17-22, Nehemia and Keith discuss the Jewish understanding of the “kingdom of heaven”, the steps involved in repentance, and proclaiming the “good news” in the Hebrew context.Be sure to first watch Hebrew GospelContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #9 – Matthew 4:1-11March 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #9 (Matthew 4:1-11), Nehemia and Keith discuss the temptation of Yeshua, why it was acceptable for Gideon to test God but sinful when the Israelites did it, and how different scribes wrote God’s name inContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #21 – Rejoicing in the Name of SalvationMarch 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #21, Rejoicing in the Name of Salvation, Nehemia and Keith discuss the origin of the name Jesus, how Yeshua’s teaching on the Sabbath undermined medieval Christianity, and evidence that some of the Jewish copyists ofContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #7 – Matthew 3:7-12March 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #7 (Matthew 3:7-12) Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss an independent Hebrew witness to the words of John the Baptist, a possible Hebrew solution to the “Synoptic” problem, and a threefold Hebrew word pun aroundContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #17 – Power of ParableMarch 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #17, Power of Parable, Nehemia and Keith discuss how God responds to those who genuinely seek Him even if they do so in all the wrong ways, how modern-day parables still have the power toContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #5 – Matthew 2:16-23March 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #5 (Matthew 2:16-23), Nehemia and Keith discuss why the verse “he shall be called a Nazarene” can’t be found in the Tanakh, whether Jeremiah prophesied about modern Israeli prisoners of war, and the mystery ofContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #13 – Matthew 5:3March 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #13, Matthew 5:3, Nehemia and Keith discuss the Hebrew word for “happiness” (Ashrei), why it is usually translated as “Blessed”, and the biblical keys to rejoicing in eternity.Be sure to first watch Hebrew Gospel PearlsContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #15 – Matthew 5:4March 6, 2023In Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS #15, Nehemia and Keith discuss the two main manuscript variants of Matthew 5:4, how this discrepancy might have come about, and look at a manuscript which seems to indicate that the Hebrew text was alteredContinue Reading
Torah Pearls #21 – Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)March 6, 2023In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35), we begin with a passionate discussion on “Tradition” vs. Scripture, which leads to the golden calf of the Exodus event. Who was the calf supposed to represent? There followsContinue Reading
Prophet Pearls #20 – Tetzaveh (Ezekiel 43:10-27)February 28, 2023In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Tetzaveh (Ezekiel 43:10-27), Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss Ezekiel describing the sin offering and the building plan for the Temple. Nehemia and Keith consider whether a spiritual or literal interpretation fits best withContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls Special – Tricks of Translation 2February 22, 2023In this special episode of Hebrew Gospel Pearls, Tricks of Translation 2, Nehemia and Keith compare translations of a verse in Hosea, discuss the tricks and difficulties of translation, and recount the struggles of 19th century Jews in America.Continue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls PLUS Special – Tricks of Translation 2February 22, 2023In this episode of Hebrew Gospel Pearls Special PLUS, Tricks of Translation 2, Nehemia and Keith explore a divide between the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint, how it may have been caused by a mistake of only one letter, andContinue Reading
Torah Pearls #19 – Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)February 20, 2023This episode of The Original Torah Pearls is on the Torah portion of Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19). The episode opens with a lively discussion on the difference between tithes and offerings. There follows a brilliant discussion of the “Mercy Seat” ofContinue Reading
Support Team Study – Calculating Passover in the Middle AgesFebruary 15, 2023In this Support Team Study, Calculating Passover in the Middle Ages, Nehemia speaks with a scholar at University College London about how Karaite Jews implemented the biblical calendar in exile, how they determined the beginning of the year when facedContinue Reading
Prophet Pearls #18 – Mishpatim (Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26)February 14, 2023In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Mishpatim Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26, ever obedient servants of context, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson begin at the beginning—with two verses moved to the end of this Portion by the Rabbis. In these two versesContinue Reading
Torah Pearls #18 – Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)February 13, 2023In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18), we tackle the Biblical issue of slavery and then move on to issues of debt, abortion, and end with a discussion about the process of the revelation of Scripture.Continue Reading
Hebrew Voices #153 – Sighting the New Moon in the Middle AgesFebruary 8, 2023In this episode of Hebrew Voices #153, Sighting the New Moon in the Middle Ages, Nehemia speaks with a scholar at University College London about why Jews transitioned from sighting the new moon to a precalculated calendar, how Karaites remainedContinue Reading
Prophet Pearls #17 – Yitro (Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6)February 7, 2023In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Yitro (Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-60), Nehemia Gordon compares Isaiah’s succinct vision of heaven to accounts in Kings, Ezekiel and Daniel. We see a “real” Adonai in this Portion and learn about the importance of theContinue Reading
Torah Pearls #17 – Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)February 6, 2023This episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23), is dedicated to Nehemia’s faithful canine companion, Georgia the Rhodesian Ridgeback, who sadly passed away the day of this recording. In her honor, the trio has a fascinating discussion on theContinue Reading
Hebrew Gospel Pearls Special – Tricks of Translation 1January 25, 2023In this special episode of Hebrew Gospel Pearls, Tricks of Translation 1, Nehemia and Keith introduce the oldest English translation of the Hebrew Bible by Jews and for Jews in America and how a famous medieval rabbi altered the textContinue Reading