In this episode of Hebrew Voices Pagan Origins of Hanukkah?, I sit down with Rabbi Dr. Paul Shrell-Fox to understand from an evolutionary psychology perspective, why it is that the Rabbis took a holiday which commemorates the dedication of the Temple, and turned it into the fire festival many celebrate today.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Holidays
Hanukkah: Fact and Fiction
In this Special Study, Hanukkah: Fact and Fiction, Nehemia Gordon explains that the real story of Hanukkah, where the Rabbinic tradition of lighting candles for eight days comes from, and how the victory should be celebrated today. Sandra wrote: “This is excellent information! Thank you for your dedication in getting the truth out and helping to dissolve fiction so that fact can shine through!” Continue reading
Hebrew Voices #123 – Camp Ephraim Sukkot
In this episode of Hebrew Voices, Camp Ephraim Sukkot, Bible Scholar Nehemia Gordon meets with people from among the nations who made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship the God of Israel on Sukkot in fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah 14:16-17. Continue reading
Sukkot (Feast of Booths)
On Chag Ha-Sukkot, Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) we are commanded to build a Sukkah (Booth) using as building materials the "4 species" listed in Lev 23:40. Rabbinical tradition teaches that a bundle of these building materials must be ritually waved in the air during the festival. Continue reading
Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement
On the 10th day of the Seventh Month (Tishrei) is the holiday known as Yom Ha-Kipurim (or Yom Kippur), "The Day of Atonement". This is a day dedicated to fasting and prayer on which we ask Yehovah to atone for our sins. Continue reading
Support Team Study – Hope from Despair on Yom Kippur
In this Support Team Study, Hope from Despair on Yom Kippur, Nehemia Gordon explains how modern Israel nearly came to an end, how the hand of God turned imminent defeat into victory, and how the hope of a little-known Hebrew "saint" burns in the heart of every Jew for the coming of the King Messiah. In this episode, Nehemia also tells about the most controversial prayer he has uttered in his life!
Continue readingHebrew Voices #146 – The Trumpet: Yom Teruah 2021
In this special episode of Hebrew Voices, The Trumpet: Yom Teruah 2021, Bible Scholar Dr. Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson detail why Yom Teruah marks one of the most powerful teachings they have ever done, search the Torah to peel back the layer of Jewish tradition on top of the holiday and unpack its significance so we can celebrate it with joy and thankfulness.
Hebrew Voices #133 – Yom Teruah Bible Study
In this episode of Hebrew Voices, Yom Teruah Bible Study, Bible Scholar Nehemia Gordon looks at whether this is a day for crying or being joyous, how we know we are supposed to call on the name Yehovah on this day, and what this holiday has to do with percussion eggs. Dora wrote: “Thank you for the so important explanation. This is the first time I celebrated this feast of the YEHOVAH celebrating His name!!!”
Continue readingThe Truth About Shavuot
Shavuot is a biblical festival known in English as the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. Shavuot is a pilgrimage-feast, in Hebrew chag. As a chag, Shavuot is one of the three annual biblical festivals on which every male Israelite is commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple. Shavuot is also referred to in the Torah as Chag Ha-Katzir, the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16) and Yom Ha-Bikurim, the Day of Firstfruits (Numbers 28:26). Continue reading
Hebrew Voices #29 – From Slavery to Freedom
In this episode of Hebrew Voices, From Slavery to Freedom, Nehemia Gordon speaks to Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski. Nehemia draws on Rabbi Twerski's vast experience as a world-renowned Rabbi and psychiatrist to explain why it is important to get out of our comfort zone in order to achieve true spirituality. The author of over 70 books and a canonical Jewish prayer sung in every synagogue, Rabbi Twerski's stature in the Jewish world parallels that of Billy Graham in the Christian world. Rabbi Twerski opens the episode singing a Psalm, shares how he once saved a man by getting a special dispensation from the Pope, and describes a practical plan to break the chains of spiritual slavery in order to attain true freedom and maximize our full potential and purpose in life.
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