The Tanakh Podcast

God opens the chapter proclaiming that that Israel has betrayed her fidelity to God and therefore cannot return to God. And yet, with a play of words: "shuvu - return", and "shovav - rebel", God ultimately expresses his intent that of his "rebellious children" sincerely reform their behaviour, they will indeed be able to rebuild trust, and the relationship with God.

"I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me, and followed me through the wilderness!"Jeremiah reminds the people of their former commitment to God and the great blessings that He bestowed upon the nation. And then he expresses, in every way that he can, how Israel have broken their loyalty and commitment to God. Music Intro - Amir Dadon Closing - Rosh Hashanna Liturgy (levandowsky)

Chapter 1 is Jeremiah's inaugural prophecy. We dwell on three points: 1. The reluctance of Jewish prophets to prophecy and God's imposition of prophecy upon them 2. Jeremiah is a prophet of doom, and yet, his role has an underlay: "to build and to plant" 3. Prophecy is visual. Our chapter affords us a window into the visions that form the backbone of the prophetic experience.

Is Isaiah's vision universal or parochial? Does it promise consolation or urge repentance? Does Isaiah offer salvation for all of Israel or a remenant. Today we discuss Isaiah's complex messaging. And yet, we leave with a clear sense that the long arc of history bends towards goodness, peace and redemption. In this regard, Isaiah offers the building blocks of our Messianic theology.

God tells the people that he has been waiting for them to repent. He reiterates that only the righteous will benefit from God's blessings and redemption whereas those who practice idolatry or other sins will suffer.

This chapter is a desperate accusation and protest - in the wake of the Temple destruction - at God's hidden face, and the deplorable national calamity that God brought upon Israel. It is also a plea for God to extend his mercy to the Jewish People.

Today we explain how our chapter forms the basis for a verse in the famous Shabbat song, "Dror Yikra".

Today we talk about Jerusalem finding her voice, and undergoing a name-change!

Mourning will be replaced by joy, destruction by rebuilding, and the world community will acclaim the Jews as global emissaries of God, doing all they can to assist Israel in that mission. This again is a romantic dreamscape of a messianic utopia.

This beautiful chapter depicts an utopian, unwordly, and idyllic scene as Jerusalem is bathed in a divine light, acclaimed by the world, and filled with peace, wealth and prosperity. Is this what the Messianic Age looks like?