The Tanakh Podcast
by Alex Israel
Study Tanakh with Rav Alex Israel. 10 mins a day. One chapter a day. --This podcast is designed to help you to study any sefer (book) in Tanakh - the Hebrew Bible.It will be best experienced by reading the chapter first, and then listening to the 10-15 minute commentary.The pace of the podcast is FIVE chapters a week according to the pace of the 929.org.il project. It is recorded by Rabbi Alex Israel. See www.alexisrael.org and sign up for our weekly parsha newsletter.---To support us, please donate at: https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisraelhttps://patreon.com/u51407457
Episodes
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#312 | Melakhim Bet ch.1 - Whose Messengers?
King Ahaziyahu (Israel) has a domestic accident and is inured, bedridden and concerned for his life. He sends messengers to the God of Ekron: "Will I live?" Elijah is sent to intercept the King's delegates. The critical narrative here is the question of who controls the delegates: Will the king's...
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#311 | Melakhim Aleph ch.22 - Yehoshafat & the Price of National Unity
Today we study about Yehoshafat King of Yehuda, righteous king by any assessment but also a man who seeks unity with the Northern Kingdom. Tragically this pursuit has devastating consequences.
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#310 | Melakhim Aleph ch.21 - Nabot. The Perfect Murder
This is the Bible's quintessential story of governmental corruption.The King wants a Nabot's vineyard. Nabot won't sell it. How will the king obtain the vineyard? How does one commit the perfect murder? And who gets the blame?
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#309 | Melakhim Aleph ch.20 - Understanding Ahab
In our chapter Ahab goes to war with Aram - twice. Each time, God sends a prophet to support Ahab. Is God on Ahab's side? Have things shifted in Ahab's royal court?
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#308 | Melakhim Aleph ch.19 - Elijah the Zealot
After Elijah's great victory on Mt. Carmel, Elijah is thrust into deep crisis - he goes into the desert to end his own life! Why is Elijah so despondent? And what does God try to teach him?
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#307 | Melakhim Aleph ch.18 - Make a Choice!
What is the purpose of Elijah's duel at Mt. Carmel. What does it seek to achieve? And why do we hear about Achav's official - Ovadiah - in such detail?
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#306 | Melakhim Aleph ch.17 - Meet Eliyahu!
Eliyahu decrees a famine, a drought, that endures for three years! Why did he do it? Was God commanding Eliyahu or was Eliyahu instructing God? There are three stories of Eliyahu in this chapter: 1. In Nahal Karit - the ravens and the stream 2. The widow in Zerafat - And the miracle of the oil…
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#305 | Melakhim Aleph ch.16 - The North: From Instability to Stability
Our podcast today describes the Northern Kingdom; how after 50 years of great volatility and insecurity, it finds wealth, power and political stability under the royal house of Omri and Achav. But at what spiritual price?
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#304 | Melakhim Aleph ch.15 - Rechavam. Aviyam. Assa (Kings of Judah)
In this chapter we encounter the histories of the Kings of Judah - Rechavam, Aviyam and Assa. What is happening in Judah during this period?
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#303 | Melakhim Aleph ch.14 - Yerovam's Wife and the Blind Prophet
Jeroboam's son is sick. He asks his wife to disguise herself and approach the prophet. Why doesn't Yerovam go himself? Why did she need to wear a disguise? And what did the prophet say to her?
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#302 | Melakhim Aleph ch.13 - New Religion
Yerovam has become king in the North. But he needs a new religious center. If the prople keep celebrating their holidays at the Temple in Jerusalem, he will lose legitimacy. Yerovam builds two new Temples in Dan and Bethel setting up a golden calf (!) in each shrine. But, the Tanakh tells us that...
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#301 | Melakhim Aleph ch.12 - The Kingdom Splits
Solomon is dead. The people come to crown his son Rechavam (Rehoboam) and ask for a tax break. Rechavam takes bad advice and responds to the people in an imperious, disdainful manner. In response, the northern tribes revolt and split from Rehoboam's kingdom, forming their own State and appointing...
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#300 | Melakhim Aleph ch.11 - Solomon's Sins
"In his old age, his wives turned away Solomon’s heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to God." How did the wisest of men make such a blunder? Did Solomon actually worship idolatry? --- To support us, please donate at: https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael...
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#299 | Melakhim Aleph ch.10 - Power and Wealth
Our chapter describes Shlomo as a powerbroker in the region, controlling trade and accruing great wealth. But are these the correct priorities?
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#298 | Melakhim Aleph ch.9 - A Story of Twenty Cities
Our chapter speaks of twenty cities that Shlomo transfers to Hiram king of Tyre. Why is Solomon giving away land in the Land of Israel? Why was Hiram unsatisfied with the cities? What might we learn about the state of the economy during the latter Solomonic years?
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#297 | Melakhim Aleph ch.8 - The Temple Dedication
Chapter 8 describes the festive dedication of the Temple. Our podcast discusses aspects of Solomon's magnificent prayer: 1. Does God reside in the Temple? 2. Is the Temple a Jewish institution or a universal house of prayer?
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#296 | Melakhim Aleph ch.7 - Royal Buildings. Who is the King?
Why are Solomon's royal buildings subsumed in the account of the Temple? Is this good news or bad news? Music: Zusha - Festival
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#295 | Melakhim Aleph ch.6 - The Temple. A New Era
Why does our chapter note that we are 480 years (12x40) since the Exodus? Why is Solomon using a new system of months, never used previously (or subsequently!)? Why does Solomon create huge cherubs and attach them to the floor of the Temple? We will try to answer all these questions in our…
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#294 | Melakhim Aleph ch.5 - An Imperial Capital
Our chapter describes the way that Solomon develops the Kingdom of Israel to an imperial capital. Solomon controls the region, has the most powerful army, and warm relations with neighboring leaders like Hiram of Lebanon. He also begins the construction of the temple. But above all, Solomon turns...
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#293 | Melakhim Aleph ch.4 - Government and Taxation
On the face of it, this is a chapter about government and taxation, the organization and administration of the kingdom and its financial bouyancy. But a deeper read identifies some riveting social history behind the bare statistics, which will have ominous effect a generation on.
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#292 | Melakhim Aleph ch.3 - Wisdom and Justice
Solomon loves God. When God asks Solomon what his deepest wish might be, it is the ability to guide and judge the nation. "Tzedek and Mishpat" is possibly Judaism's core value, and the principle of justice is the highest virtue to which a king of Israel could aspire.
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#291 | Melakhim Aleph ch.2 - Solomon's Enemies
David instructs Solomon to ensure that both Yoav and also Shimi Ben Gera die a bloody death. Is David casting his unfinished business on Solomon? We contend that David is in fact warning a young an untested Solomon that enemies are waiting, plotting his downfall after King David's death. He...
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#290 | Melakhim Aleph ch.1 - "Long Live King Solomon!"
Chapter 1 gives us a conmpetition to succeed King David. Who will be king - Adoniya or Solomon?
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#289 | 2 Samuel ch.24 - Who Chose Jerusalem? David or God?
The final chapter of Samuel gives us yet another sin of David, and another admission of guilt! And a story resonant of the Akeida. What does it all mean?
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#288 | 2 Samuel ch.23 - David. Man of Song or of War?
This chapter gives us David's final song - "The spirit of God spoke through me" - and David's dauntless thirty-seven warriors. Who is David - the man of war or the man of God?
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#287 | Samuel ch.22 - David's Song
David's Song "on the day God saved David from all his enemies and the hands of Saul." This would appear to be a song from an earlier period in David's life. Why is it here? How does this song relate to the other two songs in the book of Samuel: Channah's song (or prayer) and David's eulogy for...
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#286 | 2 Samuel ch.21 - Revenge and Loyalty
An ancient unrequited sin leads to a 3 year drought. David Seeks God; God points to the Gibeonites who were slaughtered by King Saul. Now they demand that David hand over 7 of Saul's descendents. They want Revenge. May David comply? Will David comply? Can a child be killed for his father's sin?
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#285 | 2 Samuel ch.20 - The Revolt of Sheva Ben Bichri
David finds himself with another revolt on his hands. He tries to avoid having Yoav - the man who killed his son Avshalom - lead the army. First, he appoints Amassa, but Amassa disappoints. Second he appoints Avishai. But Avishai defers to his older brother Yoav. In the end it is Yoav who puts…
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#284 | 2 Samuel ch.19 - Tribal Tensions
Avshalom is dead. The rebellion is over. Or is it? The instability continues as the tribes of Judah and Benjamin vie for prestige of leading David back to Jerusalem and tribal tensions flare leading to further volatility.
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#283 | 2 Samuel ch.18 - Mixed Messages
Today we discuss David's conflict of interests and his mixed messages when his army has to face down the forces led by Avshalom. David instructs Yoav not to kill Avshalom, whereas Yoav instructs the army to kill Avshalom. Who was correct?
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#282 | 2 Samuel ch.17 - Two Advisors
Today we discuss two advisors: Achitophel and Hushai. Achitophel seems to be the man who's views are always correct, whose perspective is always wise and insightful. However in our story Avshalom follows Hushai's counsel and rejects Achitophel. We shall propose that Achitophel has a burning...
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#281 | 2 Samuel ch.16 - David Flees; Avshalom Enters Jerusalem
The mutiny continues. Our chapter contains four scenes, four encounters: Two as David flees Jerusalem; two as Avshalom enters the city.
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#280 | 2 Samuel ch.15 - Revolution
Avshalom is back in Jerusalem. He wastes no time at boosting his popularity and discrediting his father, King David. Soon after, he asks for permission to sacrifice in Hebron, the city in which David was crowned, and he launches a mutiny against his father. David and his close circle abandon the...
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#279 | 2 Samuel ch.14 - Avshalom's Return
Avshalom is in exile. But David is pining for him. Yoav orchestrates his return to Jerusalem, and then Avshalom forces his way back, using Yoav, to high society. In this chapter we witness David as a conflicted person, conflicted between his values and his parental love. We also observe…
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#278 | 2 Samuel ch.13 - A Rape and a Murder. Amnon & Tamar
David's son Amnon conspires and brutally rapes his own half sister, Tamar. Then, two years later, Tamar's brother Avshalom murders Amnon. We will show that way that the style of this horrific story brings us to see this as punishment for David's crimes. --- See my youtube videos for the High...
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#277 | 2 Samuel ch.12 - "You are the man!"
The prophet comes to David and accuses David of murder and adultery and pronounces David's punishment. David admits his sin. Batsheva's child dies.
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#276 | 2 Samuel ch.11 - David's Sin: Batsheva and Uriah
In the stories of David there is no sin greater than David's adultery and murder in this chapter. We shall see how sin leads to complication and complication to further sin as David is tempted to use his royal power to cover his own misdeeds.
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#275 | 2 Samuel ch.10 - Ammon Declares War
David sends a diplomatic delegation to console the ammonite king Hannun after the death of his father. However Hannun humiliates David's officials. This is in essence a declaration of war against Israel as Ammon rally an entire alliance of forces to fight David's army. Yoav and his brother…
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#274 | 2 Samuel ch.9 - Kindness to the House of Saul
David decides to show his kindness and loyalty to the House of Shaul. He seeks out any remaining descendants and discovers that Mefiboshet, Yonatan's son, a handicapped man, is still alive. Through the story we meet Tziva, the caretaker of Saul's estate, who has essentially assumed control over…
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#273 | 2 Samuel Ch.8 - From Kingdom to Empire
David fights on every front: Philistines, Moav, Aram, Edom, Amalek, Amon, and succeeds in growing the kingdom to a veritable empire. The chapter ends with David's growing national administration. Our discussion will focus upon the military force that David is using and its justification.
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#272 | 2 Samuel ch.7 - Why Can't David Build the Temple?
David requests to build the Temple. God says no. Why? Is it because he has blood on his hands? Our chapter offers a different reason. -- Whatsapp group - alexisrael.org/whatsapp All videos - alexisrael.org/focus
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#271 | 2 Samuel ch.6 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem
David has captured Jerusalem. But how does he bring God to the city? By making a home for the Aron - the Ark of God - in Jerusalem. But a terrible accident happens as the procession makes its way - the Ark slips and Uzzah tries to save it but is killed. What is David going to do to repair the...
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#270 | 2 Samuel ch.5 - Jerusalem
In this chapter David becomes King over the entire nation and immediately sets to create a new capital city - Jerusalem. The entire chapter depicts the way that David solidifies and stabilizes his position as monarch. Why Jerusalem? How was it captured? -- For High Holiday content, see...
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#269 | 2 Samuel ch.4 - The Murder of Ish-Boshet
Two officers of Ish-Boshet's army come into his house and murder him in broad daylight. What do they wish to achieve? What is their motivation? In this, the third of the assassination stories, we hear yet again how David does not want to rise to the throne over the death of his political rivals.…
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#268 | 2 Samuel ch.3 - Reconciliation or Assassination?
Avner argues with the King, Ish-Boshet, and as he realizes that the northern faction led by Sauls' son, is weakening, he decides to capitalize on the moment and create a coalition with King David. However Yoav, David's general, has a vendetta with Avner (Avner had killed Yoav's brother) and he...
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#267 | 2 Samuel Ch.2 - "Must the sword devour forever?"
David is crowned in Yehuda. But Avner crowns Saul's son, Ish-Boshet, over the Northern Tribes. For seven years the generals - Yoav and Avner - are engaged in conflict. We witness one particularly bloody day of fighting.
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#266 | 2 Samuel ch.1 - David's Lament
Today we address two questions: 1. Why do we receive two accounts of Saul's death? 2. Was Saul a success? Was he set up for failure?
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#265 | 1 Samuel ch.31 - The Death of King Saul and His Sons
Saul and his three sons die in battle on Mount Gilboa. But whereas Saul's son's are killed by the enemy, Saul takes his own life. Was Shaul permitted to end his own life? What were the alternatives?
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#264 | 1 Samuel ch.30 - Ethics and Amalek
David and his men return to Ziklag. Amalek have attacked. The town has been burnt and the women and children taken captive. David goes on the chase. In this chapter we can understand more deeply what is problematic about Amalek, and we learn some important war ethics.
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#263 | 1 Samuel ch.29 - Dual Loyalties
The Philistines are mobilizing to fight Israel. And David and his men are mobilizing with them! Will David fight his own people? But if he doesn't fight, how will he retain his loyalty to Achish? Or will something else save David from this predicament?
About this show
Study Tanakh with Rav Alex Israel. 10 mins a day. One chapter a day. --This podcast is designed to help you to study any sefer (book) in Tanakh - the Hebrew Bible.It will be best experienced by reading the chapter first, and then listening to the 10-15 minute commentary.The pace of the podcast is FIVE chapters a week according to the pace of the 929.org.il project. It is recorded by Rabbi Alex Israel. See www.alexisrael.org and sign up for our weekly parsha newsletter.---To support us, please donate at: https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisraelhttps://patreon.com/u51407457
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