In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10-32:3), everything old is new again as Gordon and crew release the vacuum-seal and allow the fresh air of language, history and context to inform Jacob’s time in Haran. Jacob’s servitude to his trickster father-in-law smells sadly familiar even in English, but the echoes of reciprocal justice appear most poignant in Hebrew.
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In this Support Team Study, Looking Under the Hood of a Torah Scroll: Part 4, Nehemia and research assistant Nelson Calvillo continue a series on the oldest (nearly) complete surviving Torah. They unpack Nehemia’s lecture at the World Congress of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem presented to the top scholars in the field of Biblical Studies. In part 4, they discuss anomalies in the way scribes corrected this manuscript, the struggles scribes face when copying from one manuscript to another, and even an example of God’s name being erased!
In this Support Team Study, Looking Under the Hood of a Torah Scroll: Part 3, Nehemia and research assistant Nelson Calvillo continue a series on the oldest (nearly) complete surviving Torah. They unpack Nehemia’s lecture at the World Congress of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem presented to the top scholars in the field of Biblical Studies. In part 3, they discuss the beautiful traditional layout of the Song of the Sea, the tradition of dots dating back to second temple times, and a secret phrase encoded in most Torah scrolls by Jewish scribes.
In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Chayei Sarah (1 Kings 1:1-31), Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the ancient story of King David’s old age, and the ensuing struggle for succession seem as modern as any HBO political drama. The portion opens with a brow-raising account of a woman “warming” the king. But which provides the best explanation—eisegesis or exegesis study methods? The word play between “Adonijah” and “Adonai” provides a virtual romp through the portion, and we learn how Amnon-Absalom-Adonijah and Solomon fit the Hebrew thought pattern of “three and four.” Gordon explains why it’s a big deal to swear by Yehovah as well as why it was dangerous to live in an ancient culture and claim to be a king. Pearls aplenty, but it’s hard to top the one little word that Bathsheba adds when proclaiming l’chaim to King David—“olam.”
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In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18) learn about love, romance, marriage, death, laden camels, and the power of specific prayers. Chayei Sarah unfolds dramatically as the trio examine its many pearls. The portion begins with Abraham securing a burial place for Sarah and ends with his death. In between, we get to relive one of the world’s best stories, not once, but four times, as Abraham’s servant makes a match for Isaac. But far from stale repetition, Gordon explains that being able to analyze word choices in a repeated story is pay dirt for the linguist.
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In this episode of Hebrew Voices, Looking Under the Hood of a Torah Scroll: Part 2, Nehemia and research assistant Nelson Calvillo launch a series on the oldest (nearly) complete surviving Torah. They unpack Nehemia’s lecture at the World Congress of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem presented to the top scholars in the field of Biblical Studies. In part 2, they discuss the spaces dividing the text, their origins dating back to ancient times, and how the manuscript reflects two separate traditions regarding those divisions.
In this week's episode of Prophet Pearls, Vayeira (2 Kings 4:1-4:37), the miracles of Elisha yield fascinating pearls as Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the similarities and differences of Elisha’s and Elijah’s stories, the measure of spirit that Elisha really asked for, whether the Shunammite was full of faith or just evasive—and why her travels on Shabbat present problems for both rabbis and Karaites. Gordon looks at other instances of resurrection in the Tanakh and gives chapter and verse explaining how the books of the Tanakh are grouped according to three fields of knowledge. We also learn that whether the prophets are considered “classical” or “literary,” these guys completely expected to be kept in the loop.
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In The Original Torah Pearls, Vayeira (Genesis 18:1-22:24), the trio sheds light on interpreting the words and actions of “messengers” by comparing the three men who visited Abraham with other examples in scripture. They debate which of the many depravities of Sodom left it covered in salt to this day. With information about Abraham’s place and time, Gordon brings understanding to the more baffling events in this portion—particularly Lot’s approach to hospitality. Other Torah pearls include: the significance of Abraham bargaining with the number ten, Ishmael’s “mocking” of Isaac, and word puns that prove the Creator not only has a keen sense of humor but that he’s willing to work with us. The trio ends by exploring the “blessing” that Abraham bequeathed to the world—the opportunity to be grafted in.
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In this episode of Hebrew Gospel Pearls, Search for Yourself, Nehemia and Keith throw down the challenge to follow the Bereans by not relying on anyone’s opinion when it comes to the Word of God, to get back to the foundational instructions behind Yeshua’s teaching on adultery, and set the stage to discuss whether Yeshua came to usher in the Law of Christ against the Law of Moses.
In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Lech Lecha (Isaiah 40:27-41:16), as Isaiah spoke consolation to invaded Israel, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson console the listener with the deep wells contained in the original Hebrew—nuances that bring even greater comfort from the promises of the Creator. Word studies include: “renewed” strength, “first and last,” “righteousness,” and “eternity”—with the significance of its second root. Gordon and Johnson consider the options concerning “who stirred up from the east” and discuss how the ancient Israelites knew who was speaking in this Portion’s fast-paced dialog. Gordon concludes with the comforting news implied by the winnowing process—not all nations will be carried away.
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