Category Archives: Hebrew Voices

Hebrew Voices #78 – Chinese Origin of the Sukkot Etrog

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In this episode of Hebrew Voices, Chinese Origin of the Sukkot Etrog, Nehemia Gordon talks with ordained-rabbi Dr. David Moster about the "fruit" we are commanded to use on the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:40). They discuss how the Citron or "Esrog" arrived in the Land of Israel in the Persian Period, how it played an important role in the rise of the Pharisees, and how it eventually became the distinctive symbol of Judaism - replacing God's holy name. Their conversation explores the Orthodox, Samaritan, and Karaite interpretations of Lev 23:40, its function in the Feast of Booths, and why a southeast Asian-Jewish fruit is a key ingredient in traditional Christmas cakes.

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Hebrew Voices #167 – Ancient Idolatry at the Israel Museum

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In this episode of Hebrew Voices #167 - “Ancient Idolatry at the Israel Museum,” Nehemia shows us exhibits that bring to life the idolatry in the land of Canaan condemned by Yehovah throughout the Bible. Pieces include some familiar bronze serpents, one of the “high places” to Yehovah, and the earliest surviving reference to the House of David.

Hebrew Voices #165 – Open Siddur Project

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In this lost episode of Hebrew Voices #165 - Open Siddur Project, Dr. Nehemia Gordon interviews Aharon Varady of the Open Siddur Project, a free database of Jewish prayers. They discuss the difference between spontaneous prayer and liturgy, the concept of learning from everyone, and the problem of source attribution in Judaism.

Hebrew Voices #107 – The Mishnah and the New Testament

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In this episode of Hebrew Voices #107, The Mishnah and the New Testament, Bible Scholar Nehemia Gordon speaks with Rabbi Dr. David Moster about how the early rabbis dealt with supposed Biblical contradictions, what we can learn from the Mishnah and New Testament's approaches to the text of the Hebrew Bible, and why a famous rabbi made a cameo-appearance in the New Testament.

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Hebrew Voices #164 – A Karaite Jew on Mormonism: Part 1

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In this episode of Hebrew Voices #164 – A Karaite Jew on Mormonism: Part 1, Nehemia brings on the foremost historian of early Mormonism, Dan Vogel. They discuss what Bible scholars can learn from Joseph Smith’s cultural background of treasure hunting and his rapidly evolving historical claims regarding the golden plates and the Book of Mormon.

Hebrew Voices #91 – The Aramaic Name of God

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In this episode of Hebrew Voices #91, The Aramaic Name of God, Nehemia Gordon discusses a cache of papyri written by a garrison of Jewish soldiers on the southern border of Egypt in the 5th century BCE. Hebrew University Professor Emeritus Bezalel Porten explains how these Jews arrived in Egypt as mercenaries in the time of King Menasheh, offered sacrifices at their own local Temple, and called on the name of the God of Israel.

Hebrew Voices #163 – Treasures of the Hebrew Library in Cincinnati: Part 1

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In this episode of Hebrew Voices #163, Treasures of the Hebrew Library in Cincinnati: Part 1, Nehemia gets an exclusive look at an 11th century Masoretic manuscript, the “Ibn Musa Bible,” a 13th century Chumash, and other rare Hebrew treasures.

Hebrew Voices #162 – Writing the Name of God in Torah Scrolls

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In this episode of Hebrew Voices #162, Writing the Name of God in Torah Scrolls, Nehemia shows how blank spaces were left for Yehovah's holy name, which were then filled in during a second stage of writing. Nehemia presented this research last week to the world's top scholars at the European Association for Jewish Studies in Frankfurt, Germany.