The Tanakh Podcast

This is the story of the sin and expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

One of the greatest and classic challenges of biblical scholarship has been the contradictions between chapter 1 and 2. Many don't pay attention, but in fact the chapters are quite at odds with one another.Today we articulate many of the differences between the chapters and then we offer a dialectical model which sees ch.1 and 2 in dialectical tension, in the end offering a more holistic picture of the world.

Chapter 2 zooms in on the human, and humanity's uniqueness: Spirituality, responsibility, loneliness and relationships.

What is the purpose Creation narrative?Is it intended to teach us that the world was brought into being in a mere six days?Or does it teach us something about the nature of life, being, human purpose and dignity?

Tanakh ends with a beginning.The Galut, the Exile happens, but there is a Return, an "Aliyah" - this is the "end without an ending."

Indiana Jones went looking for it. But where is it?Our chapter gives us a few clues!

Yoshiyahu is another exemplary king. Rising to power as a child, he leads the nation back to God.We will focus on the remarkable discovery of a Sefer Torah in the storerooms of the Temple. What is this scroll? Was the Torah lost for a while?

Do we suffer for our parents sins?Today we suffer the most evil king of Yehudah - King Mennasseh. In the book of Kings his idolatry is the cause of the Hurban - the national exile. But here in Divrei Hayamim, we witness Menasseh repenting and recanting from his idolatrous ways. What is the truth? Why does Divrei Hayamim report this previously unknown story?

Dive into a captivating tale of faith and fortitude as Hezekiah leads Jerusalem against the Assyrian threat. Emotions clash between fear and confidence when divine intervention strikes, showcasing a miracle that saves the city. The discussion also highlights Hezekiah's legacy and his interactions with Babylonian leaders, revealing intriguing discrepancies in biblical stories. Themes of loyalty and the power of prayer underscore this dramatic narrative of salvation and unity.

The Temple has been purified, Pesach has been celebrated on a national scale, but how will the Mikdash be maintained? Now Hizkiyahu asks the nation to bring tithes - teruma and ma'aser - the tithes - to the Temple. The nation offer enthusiastically.We discuss the similarities between the details of this chapter and those of the 2nd Temple prioroties.