The Tanakh Podcast

Hosea is instructed to marry an unfaithful wife, and have children with them. What is the meaning of his marriage to a woman of this sort? What is the upshot of the names that he gives her children?

What is Trei Assar? What historical period does it cover? What are its major themes?

Chapter 48 gives us the division of the land into 12 tribal units and a 13th district for the Levites, priests, Nasi, city and Temple. The city is given a new name. With this chapter, we complete our study of Sefer Yechezkel.

In our chapter water emerges from the Temple, creating a gushing river that descends to the Dead Sea and makes it habitable. What might all this mean?

Our Chapter depicts Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and Chagim (Jewish Holidays) as opportunities for both the "Nasi" and the common people to gain access to the (outer courtyard of the) Temple, and to bow before God. On these days the Eastern (inner) gate is deliberatly opened and left open all day. Clearly a statement is being made. These days are moments of spiritual opportunity.

Ch 45 describes a national leader. What is his role? How is he different to kings we have known up to this point?

The laws of the priests, the kohanim, as mentioned in Ezekiel ch.44 are quite different from those detailed in the Torah. What shall we make of these differences?

Ezekiel beholds the vision of the Chariot for a 3rd time. But this time the Chariot is making its way back to Jerusalem and restoring God's presence in the Temple.

How is Ezekiel's Temple different from all previous Temples? Why does Ezekiel's Temple have an outer courtyard, not present in previous Temples? Why is the floorplan so large? 500x500 cubits? Why may the priestly clothes not be removed from the Temple complex? Why does Ezekiel innovate a special hall in which the Priests eat the sacrifices? There is a single answer to these questions. Take a listen!

Ezekiel continues his tour of the Temple. Today we discuss how our eating practices are seen by the Midrash and Halakha as a reflection of the Temple.