The Tanakh Podcast

Ezekiel finds himself transported in a vision to a virtual tour of a Temple in Jerusalem. But this Temple is radically different from the one that we know. Daat Mikra chart Vilna Gaon chart Artscroll chart

Where might this apocalyptic story fit in human history? Why have people always associated it with the "End of Days"?

This is THE awesome, apocalyptical war, Armageddon, the End of Days! Gog uMagog! In today's podcast we speak of the contours of the war as depicted in Ezekiel 38-39. Next class, we will place this story historically and discuss its significance.

Today we study two beautiful prophecies: 1. The Valley of the Dry Bones 2. The Grafting of the Tree of Judah and the Tree of Efrayim. This represents toe restoration of the people of Israel and ther national unity.

This is a beautiful chapter of Redemption. We focus upon its unique features.

Why does Ezekiel return to speak of the demise of Edom? How is the desolation of the Hills of Edom linked to the restoration of the Hills of Israel?

God decries the old, self-interested, corrupt leadership and vows that he will instate a leadership that has the nation's interests at heart. The chapter ends with a portrayal of the blessings that will ensue.

In 33:21 The news comes from Jerusalem that the city has fallen. Now Ezekiel can demonstrate that his prophecies of several years have been accurate, and that the spiritual message that he has preached is correct. This chapter then is a restatement of many of the truths at the heart of Yechezkel's mission, and a validation of his prophetic message.

Our chapter gives both a "kinnah" - a lament, and a "Nehi" - a dirge, for the demise of Egypt. The Nehi mocks Egypt's place in the She'ol, the Underworld; Egypt would have been particularly concerned about life after death, and here she discovers that she shares an inglorious, impure place in the Afterlife. We discuss the theme of Immortality with an eye to Channukah which we are currently celebrating. Music - "Fame" - Irene Cara

Egypt is compared to the beautiful but vain cedar tree of Assyria, sitting by the river, dominant, verdant and proud. But, God says, Egypt will fall just like the "tree" of Assyria was felled. The river will not help the tree. This prophecy associates the riverlands of Egypt and Mesopotamia with Eden, but the great bounty offered by the rivers also engender a spirit of arrogance. In this podcast we contrast the land of Israel, dependent as it is on rain, fragile and vulnerable; with the secure economies of Egypt and Sedom; whose cultures are domineering and exploitative.