“Then go in; shut the door, with you and your sons inside; and pour oil into all those containers; and as they are filled, put them aside.” The prophet Elisha cares for two widows in this week’s haftarah Vayera. Haftarah Vayera:  2 Kings 4:1-37 Other Teachings Mentioned in this Podcast Daniel In Ezekiel     Worship? […]

The pictographic system which many call Paleo-Hebrew is actually Proto-Sinaitic.  Yoel walks us through the history and development of the Hebrew script, distinguishing between theory vs. actual evidence of a pictographic precursor to Hebrew.  This discussion with Jeff Gilbert of TalkingTorah.org also addresses the Aleph-Tav, touching on the factors of gematria and kabbalah involved in […]

We open our renewed Torah cycle in Bereshit (In the beginning) with an academic comparison and contrast of the elements in the Torah with other creation stories. Torah Portion Bereshit: Genesis 1:1 – 6:8   Questions And Topics In This Podcast Who rebelled against God? Why is man created in the first place? Is Duality in […]

Join Yoel and Jeff Gilbert as we wrap up this year’s Torah cycle with Vezot Haberakhah (this is the blessing). Torah Portion Vezot Haberakhah: Deuteronomy 33:1 – 34:12   Questions And Topics In This Podcast Ending and Beginning the Torah Cycle Final Speeches in the Tanakh אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים  (Ish haElohim) “The Man of God” Analysis of […]

From the Talking Torah Round Table torah portions with Jeff Gilbert, this week’s Torah portion, Ha’azinu (listen) has Yoel and Jeff discussing the details of Hebrew Poetry and what the symbolism used in this song is all about. Torah Portion Haazinu: Deuteronomy 32:1 – 32:52   This Week’s Haftarah

“Life and good” or “death and evil” is the choice given to those standing before God, as well as to “those who are not here with us today”.  We present implications of these passages and more in this week’s Torah portion, Nitzavim (standing). Torah Portion Nitzavim: Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20 Torah Portion Vayelech:  Deuteronomy 31:1-30 Questions […]

After an additional note about polygamy from last week’s parashah, we discuss aspects of the bikkurim (firstfruits) in this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo (when you come). Torah Portion Ki Tavo: Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8 Questions and Topics in this Discussion Are Firstfruits First In Chronology or Quality? Where Are They Brought? Why Specify The Priest “which will […]

We present an historic perspective to some awkward and controversial issues in this week’s torah portion, Ki Tetze (when you go out). Torah Portion Ki Tetze: Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 Questions and Topics in this Discussion What To Do With Female Captives Of War When A Man Has More Than One Wife What About Leviticus […]

We examine the structure of authority that God established for Israel in this week’s torah portion, Shoftim (judges). Torah Portion Shoftim: Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9 Questions and Topics in this Discussion What is a Shofet (Judge)? Can A King Of Israel Have Absolute Power? What Will It Be Like If/When There Is A King In […]

This week’s torah portion, Re’eh (see) gives us instructions for identifying true prophets. Torah Portion Re’eh: Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17 Questions and Topics in this Discussion Types of Prophets & Prophecy Signs and Wonders Does the Prophet Elisha Give Instructions Contrary to Torah? Problems With Prophecy Prophecy’s Effect on Cannonization When Did Prophecy End? This […]