In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1), we discuss, is there a red heifer in Israel? What is the water of menstruation for cleansing? Does a corrupt priesthood invalidate the water of purification and are we cut off without it? Is the site of the Temple off limits today? What exactly did Moses do wrong when Yehovah brought water from the rock? How did the snake on the pole cross the line into idolatry?
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In this episode of Hebrew Voices #160, Does God Have a Body?, Nehemia talks to Dr. Gabriel Wasserman about a medieval Karaite epistle. Their discussion explores Jewish moneylending, Sabbath observance, and a rabbinical Midrash about the size of God’s body parts.
In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the Prophets portion for Korach covering 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22. Gordon and Johnson’s insight into the language, history, and context surrounding Samuel’s trip to Gilgal not only inform the portion at hand, but other passages in the Torah as well as extra-biblical sources from the times of the Judges. Gordon reveals the possible identities of Jerubbaal and Bedan. The name of the king of the Ammonites, Nahash (serpent) illustrates that metaphors need to be studied carefully. The study of the word-of-the-week, “witness/ed” (ayin-dalet), includes an explanation of hollow verbs—where not all letters of the root appear.
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In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32), we discuss whether in the rebellion against Moses & Aaron, Korah, Dathan and Abiram established a rival tabernacle? Who are the “men of renown”? Were Korah’s sons also among those swallowed by the earth? What is the significance of the censer for burning incense?
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In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the Prophets portion for Shlach covering Joshua 2:1-24. In the story of the prostitute Rahab hiding the spies, Gordon and Johnson agree to disagree on their interpretations for Joshua’s motives for sending spies to Jericho. Was it simply prudent reconnaissance, or did it show a lack of faith? And how did a Canaanite prostitute know that Yehovah is Elohim?
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In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Shlach (Numbers 13:1-15:41), we discuss what does the name Hoshea mean? Is there Hebrew slang in the Torah? What is God’s perspective of forgiveness? Caleb and Jesus went into the land? What does it mean to sin with an uplifted hand? Also, beware of the tzitzit police!
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In this episode of Hebrew Voices #159, Messianic Jews in Israel, Nehemia joins with David Serner who carried out the first survey of “Jesus-believing Israelis”. They discuss whether Messianic Judaism in Israel is a sincere belief or a ploy to convert Jews, what percentage of Messianics are native Hebrew speaking Israelis, and the complex cultural friction over Jesus among Jews.
In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the Prophets portion of Beha'alotecha covering Zechariah 2:10[2:14]-4:7. Gordon and Johnson bring their best scholarship along with their best guesses to decipher Joshua’s emotive vision of the angel of the Lord, a satan, a stone with seven eyes, a gold lamp-stand, two olive trees and a brand plucked from fire.
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In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Beha'alotecha (Numbers 8:1-12:16), where are the teaching priests today? Move with the cloud – what was the purpose of the trumpets? Quail and “the graves of lust” – was the mixed multitude framed? Why did Miriam, and not Aaron, suffer the consequences of speaking against Moses? Also, listen to Nehemia as he highlights God’s grace during the 2nd month Passover of Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 30!
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Released From the Support Team Study Vault! - Shavuot Feast of Oaths, where I look at whether the revelation at Sinai was given on Shavuot. May Yehovah cover us with His garment and bring us into His covenant by oath! Continue reading