Category Archives: Podcast

Prophet Pearls #18 – Mishpatim (Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26)

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Prophet Pearls Mishpatim, Jeremiah, deror liberty, haftarah, haftarah mishpatim, hebrew word play, hebrew word puns, indentured servants tanakh, Keith Johnson, mishpatim prophets, missing verses in Septuagint, nehemia gordon, parashah, Parsha, parshas, parshat, prophet jeremiah, prophets, slavery in tanakh, spelling Isaac in Tanakh

In this episode of Prophet Pearls,  Mishpatim Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26, ever obedient servants of context, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson begin at the beginning—with two verses moved to the end of this Portion by the Rabbis.  In these two verses in which the unfailing laws of nature are equated with God’s promises to Israel, Gordon makes a connection between the theories of physicists and the views of pundits regarding the land of Israel.  Gordon and Johnson further explore why these two verses (and eight others) are missing from the Septuagint and why the spelling of Isaac differs here from elsewhere in the Tanakh.

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Hebrew Voices #153 – Sighting the New Moon in the Middle Ages

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In this episode of Hebrew Voices #153, Sighting the New Moon in the Middle Ages, Nehemia speaks with a scholar at University College London about why Jews transitioned from sighting the new moon to a precalculated calendar, how Karaites remained faithful to sighting the New Moon, and the calendar controversies they confronted.

Prophet Pearls #17 – Yitro (Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6)

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In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Yitro (Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-60), Nehemia Gordon compares Isaiah’s succinct vision of heaven to accounts in Kings, Ezekiel and Daniel. We see a “real” Adonai in this Portion and learn about the importance of the Masoretic notes. Gordon and Johnson tackle the problematic issue of Isaiah actually seeing God and explain where Isaiah got the idea that fire cleanses.

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Torah Pearls #17 – Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)

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Torah Pearls Yitro, Exodus 18:1-20:23, Caleb, Calev, Jethro, Kelev, Torah Pearls

This episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23), is dedicated to Nehemia’s faithful canine companion, Georgia the Rhodesian Ridgeback, who sadly passed away the day of this recording. In her honor, the trio has a fascinating discussion on the character of Caleb and the nature of canine loyalty. They also discuss Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, and challenge the common understanding of the process of Mosaic revelation. This leads to a powerful discussion of the events at Mt. Sinai and culminates in a powerful reading of the Ten Matters that will bring you to your feet. The closing music of this program was specially written in honor of Georgia. It features Yoel ben Shlomo on didgeridoo and Jono Vandor on guitar, and is entitled “Memories of Georgia”. May we all display the faithfulness of Yehovah’s servant, Caleb.

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Prophet Pearls #16 – Beshalach (Judges 4:4-5:31)

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Prophet Pearls Beshalach, Judges 4:4-5:31, devorah, israel, judges, torah portion, deborah, barak, jael, prophet, haftarah, jezreel valley, sisera, yehovah, yhvh

In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Judges 4:4-5:31, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss how although not a “military commander” like the other judges, Deborah coolly commands the military in this portion’s reading and then writes a lovely song about it to boot. We learn the context of her years as a judge and prophetess and how her administration fits into the life cycle of ancient Israel.

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Torah Pearls #16 – Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)

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In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16), we get some fascinating insights from the Hebrew in the story of the Exodus from Egypt and dig up a pearl regarding the poetic form of the Name of Yehovah.  There follows an interesting discussion of the meaning and origin of Shabbat and the understanding of Manna.

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Hebrew Gospel Pearls Special – Tricks of Translation 1

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In this special episode of Hebrew Gospel Pearls, Tricks of Translation 1, Nehemia and Keith introduce the oldest English translation of the Hebrew Bible by Jews and for Jews in America and how a famous medieval rabbi altered the text to fit the teachings of the rabbinic sages.

Prophet Pearls #15 – Bo (Jeremiah 46:13-28)

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Prophet Pearls Bo, Jeremiah 46:13-28, egypt, jeremiah, torah portion, prophet, nations, yehovah, yhvh, haftarah, nehemia gordon, keith johnson, parsha, bo

In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Bo (Jeremiah 46:13-28) Jeremiah, the prophet to the nations, foretells another “smiting” for Egypt—providing the connection to the Torah portion where the Lord, with a strong hand, brought his people out of Egypt. This time though, the smiting is at the hand of the Babylonians—a fact that provides another glimpse into the ways and means of Yehovah.

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Torah Pearls #15 – Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)

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The Death of the First Born by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema

This episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16), begins with the plague of locusts in Egypt.  From the stories of Moses stretching his hands toward Egypt we gain some fascinating insights on the power of prayer.  The discussion then moves to the death of the firstborn, and explore some of the amazing acts of The LORD providing for the Hebrew people prior to their departure.  The group then speaks at length on the determining of the New Year based on the Hebrew calendar, which allows us to determine when Passover comes. This leads to a wonderful discussion of being humble enough to admit when one is wrong.

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