The Tanakh Podcast

We are getting to the end of Mishlei. Here we have a collation of proverbs from 3 sages: Agur, Aluka and Lemuel. In this podcast we study 30:1-14 understanding the sage wisdom of Agur. We also scan the numerical riddles of Aluka.

Today we discuss the importance of integrity, fairness, and empathy of leaders and judges.

How do we balance healthy fear with unhealthy anxiety? How do we balance caution with rigidity?

Our chapter is filled with proverbs about friends (and enemies), about when rebuke is positive guidance from a person who cares, or conversely, when expressions of affection are in fact bogus, and the gestures of friendship are a mere facade.

Our chapter divides into 3 themes. 1. The fool 2. The lazybones 3. Quarrels and Discord We expand a point connected to each segment.

Chapter 25 speaks of Solomon's proverbs republished in the time of King Hizkiyahu. What is the story behind the re-publishing of Shlomo Ha-melekh's literary works? We offer two possibilities.

"The Tzaddik falls seven times, and rises." What happens when disaster strikes? What does a person do when they are experiencing a string of failures? That is our theme today.

Is chapter 22-24 of Proverbs plagiarized from the Egyptian teachings of Amenemope? A striking resemblance is found between the two texts. If this does have its origin in Egyptian wisdom literature, how did it find its way to King Solomon? And does it belong in the Tanakh?

"Educate a child according to his way; Even when he gets old he will not veer from it." The idea of Jewish Education has shifted over time. We will look at some traditional and modern conceptions of education.

"Knowledge, wisdom and counsel are nothing before God!" Yes! God is the ultimate authority. Man plans and God's designs will prevail. But man is also endowed with the same divine features: Knowledge, wisdom and insight - and this creates an intriguing tension.