Torah Pearls #26 – Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)

Torah Pearls Shemini, leviticus, Nehemia Gordon, Keith Johnson, Jono Vandor, Torah portion, strange fire, Aaron, judgment, Yehovah, Be Holy for I am Holy, Torah Pearls

In this episode of The Original Torah PearlsShemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47), we discuss the blessing of fire falling from Heaven, the sin of strange fire offered by Aaron’s sons, and the judgement of fire from Yehovah! Also, listen in as Nehemia Gordon eats a grasshopper! And, was Tevye right when he declared in Fiddler on the Roof that in the Good Book, “somewhere there is something about a chicken!” And what about the duck, goose and the swan? Lastly, what does it mean when Peter quotes Leviticus 11:45, “Be Holy for I am Holy” in 1 Peter 1:15? All this and more in this week’s Torah Pearls!

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Support Team Study – The Samaritans and the Name of God

In this Support Team Study - The Samaritans and the Name of God, Nehemia has an animated discussion with Samaritan scholar Benyamim Tsedaka about key differences between the Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Torah, the origin of the script and pronunciation of Hebrew used by the Samaritans, and finds common ground over the meaning of God’s holy name.

Support Team Study – Meet the Samaritan High Priest!

This lost Support Team Study - Meet the Samaritan High Priest!, involves a rare encounter between a Karaite and a Samaritan with an exploration of the Samaritan practice of tithing, modern-day sacrifice of the Paschal lamb on Mount Gerizim, and the Samaritan view of the afterlife. Nehemia also discusses the complex geopolitical reality of the Samaritan community before receiving a blessing from the currently serving Samaritan high priest.

Prophet Pearls #25 – Tzav (Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; 9:22-23)

In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the Prophets portion of Tzav covering Jeremiah 7:21-8:3,  9:22-23. In this portion paralleling the sacrifices in Leviticus, Gordon traipses through millennia to offer explanations for the perplexing statement, “I didn’t command you to bring sacrifices.” So, were sacrifices allowed or commanded? Plan A or plan B? A remedy for idleness or a method for learning principles?

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Torah Pearls #25 – Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36)

Torah Pearls Tzav, Leviticus 6:1-8:36, Aaronic, blood, cohen, Documentary Hypothesis, JEPD, Cohen, laws, Noachide, Noahide, Noahides, priest, priesthood, Torah Pearls

In this week's episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36), we discuss what exactly is the JEPD theory otherwise known as the Documentary Hypothesis? What is the role of the the Aaronic priest and is it fulfilled by any particular order today? Is the command to not drink blood just for Israel or does it apply to all the peoples of the earth? All this and more in this week’s Torah Pearls!

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Hebrew Voices #155 – Meet the Samaritans!

In 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 required the intervention of the Kingdom of Jordan and the President of Israel.

Prophet Pearls #24 – Vayikra (Isaiah 43:21-44:23)

Prophet Pearls Vayikra, haftarah, isaiah, prophets, jeshurun, israel, poetic name, Keith Johnson, nehemia gordon, obedience, sacrifice, parashah, Parsha, parshas, parshat, vayikra, portion

In 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, obedience and idolatry.  Word studies include:  “blot out” (with its historical context of a debt certificate), “first father” (with Jewish and Christian perspectives on original sin), and “bow down” (with its exclusive connection to idolatry).

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Torah Pearls #24 – Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26)

In 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 the gentile translations, while in the Hebrew and Jewish translations it ends with verse 26. We review the five primary types of sacrifices, which correspond to the first five chapters of the book Leviticus. We discuss whether there is atonement and forgiveness without blood. What “to lean his hand” means.  Whether if you sin can you just bring a sacrifice and receive atonement. What fats we are and aren’t we allowed to eat. The difference between intentional and unintentional sin. If one becomes unclean, have they done something which makes them guilty? Are we really expected to ring the neck of the bird? And so much more.

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Prophet Pearls #22-23 – Vayakhel-Pekudei (1 Kings 7:40-8:21)

Prophet Pearls Vayakhel Pekudei, 1 Kings, arafel, thick darkness, araphel, Beit HaMikdash, haftarah, hiram, Parsha, prophets, portion, torah, solomon’s temple, Yehovah, Vayakhel, Pekudei

In 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 cultures have clouded the world’s view of the place where God chose to put His name forever.

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Torah Pearls #23 – Pekudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38)

Torah Pearls Pekudei, Exodus 38:21-40:38, Aaron, Aaronic, carbuncle, cohen, glory, Kohen, priest, priesthood, Priests, shechinah, Shechinat, shekhinah, Shekinah, Torah Pearls

In 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 the everlasting priesthood, so what exactly is a Kohen and is there another “order” of priests? Where is the “Shekinah Glory” today? All this and more in this week’s Torah Pearls!

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