The Tanakh Podcast

Chapter 20 is a historical review with many surprises ... details that we have not heard previously. How shall we understand this detailed chapter?

This is a dirge over three kings: One is taken in captivity to Egypt, another to Babylon; the third is like an uprooted vine. Among other things we discuss the use of the term "Nassi" as describing a king.

Do children suffer for their parents' sins or does each generation receive a clean slate, a fresh chance?

A riddle and a parable: Two Eagles. A tale of planting and uprooting. What can it all mean? In our podcast we explain the double dimension of the chapter - the parable AND the riddle. Music: Amy Winehouse - "You Know I'm No Good"

In an exceedingly harsh chapter we focus on the famous line, recited at the Seder Table and at a Brit Milah: "In your blood - Live!!" and we discuss a beautiful song by the famous Israeli songwriter, Naomi Shemer.

Yechezkel talks about a vine. He claims it has no use other than being used as firewood. Similarly Jerusalem should simply be consumed by fire; it is useless! But isn't the vine one of the most lauded plants in the Bible? We embark on a journey from Genesis to Judges, Isaiah 5, Jeremiah 2 and Psalms 80 in which we show how the vine is used as a metaphor for Israel, He sins are its "wild" or "sour grapes" and it can be abandoned but we pray for the restoration of the vine, and with it Israel's fortunes. Music Avishai Cohen: About A Tree - Oyfn Weg Shteyt A Boym (A Yiddish Lullaby)

Our chapter advocates an attitude of strict justice: v.1-11 - Only strict monotheism will be tolerated v.12-21 - Only the righteous will survive But then in v.22-23 there is an exception: Some of Jerusalem's children will survive; a. to tell the moral story of the city, and b. to repent and return. Music. Kaleo. Save Yourself

Yechezkel exhorts the false prophets who offer quick fixes to deeply set problems. They will cause damage by not addressing the systemic flaws in society.

Yechezkel is instructed to pack his bare essentials, put them in a backpack, break a hole in the walls of his house, and escape as a fugitive in the night. What is the symbolism of this?

As Ezekiel completes his prophetic tour of Jerusalem, we demonstrate that Ezekiel is polemicizing with three erroneous statements made by the people of Jerusalem. Music. Avishai Cohen - Beyond