Rav Joe's 929 Tanakh Podcast

Iyov 36 and 37: Elihu's final speech - the fourth and final argument of the fourth and final friend - according to many of the medieval commentators, it is the speech that finally presents the appropriate response to Iyov's sufferings. Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo, in a masterful third installment on Elihu, channels Rav Soloveitchik's Kol Dodi Dofek develops the idea that suffering should direct our atten...

33-35: Elihu begins the longest speech of the book thus far. He speaks and Iyov says nothing. Is it because he is listening? Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo unpacks these chapters with the help of Rabbi Menashe Viner's Torah on Iyov. In this elegant reading each one of today's chapters is the response to a different one of three friends who has spoken until now. Elihu takes issue not only with the friends' a...

Iyov #32 - a dramatic twist as Elihu, a new younger character invisible until now erupts onto the scene. Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo introduces Elihu as a model of the connection between attentive listening and wisdom - in contrast to those who listen only to refute. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.32?lang=bi

Iyov 29, 30, 31: a group of chapters in Iyov's painful situation is compounded by his memories of the life he used to live where he was honoured by all and cared for anyone who had fallen on hard times. Calev Ben Dor explores how David Ben Gurion found the theme of previous glory and current worthlessness in Iyov to resonate with his own life. https://www.sefaria.org/Job.29?lang=bi , https://w...

Calev Ben Dor, drawing in Aviva Zornberg and David Grossman, reflects on the meaning of the verse that 'wisdom is not to be found in the tehom, the depths or the abyss', as a window into the way the bereaved and those who have suffered unbearable loss survive. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.28?lang=bi

Iyov Ch.27 - a tricky chapter in which Iyov's response to the friends seems to be replaced by the punitive theology that has until now been directed towards him. Rabbi Dr Sam Lebens goes against the approach of the biblical academics who chop our chapter up into multiple speakers. Instead, Sam channels the Hazon Ish to explain why Iyov might respond to the friends with the same arguments that they...

Chapters 25 and 26: Bildad's and Iyov tussle for a third time. Ilana Stein, now in Jerusalem, unpacks their debate. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.25?lang=bi

Chapters 23 and 24: Iyov responds with pathos and humanity when considering the wretched of the earth in contrast to Eliphaz's crude judgements. Rafi Addlestone, channeling Les Mis, begins with the tragedy of a breakup but ends with the glory of Harry Kane. In the middle he speaks about Iyov :). Vindaloo. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.23?lang=bi , https://www.sefaria.org/Job.24?lang=bi

Ch.22 - Elifaz's third attempt to convince Iyov of the error of his ways. Rabbi Dr Sam Lebens explores the evolving interpretations of a single verse in our chapter, how Talmudic and Kabbalistic teachings sought to find deeper meaning in the words of Iyov's friends even if on a surface level and in context they will be rejected by Iyov, Elihu and God. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.22?lang...

Ch.19 - Iyov's loneliness, the abandonment felt by those whose friends have left them just when they were needed most. My reading of the chapter is based on a powerful shiur of my teacher Rav Dr Yehuda Brandes. In his aloneness Iyov experiences that which others cannot relate to - ומבשרי אחזה אלוה - from my flesh I saw God. Today's chapter and the book will provide much material for the three week...

Chapters 18, 20 and 21 - Bildad and Tzofar go at Iyov again implying not too delicately that he is to be counted among the wicked. I share an idea in the second part of the recording that I think can really transform our understanding the book as a whole. Worth a listen! Ch. 19 will follow tomorrow an extension of the idea contained in this chapter. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.18?lang=b...

Iyov Chs.16 + 17 - Iyov responds to Eliphaz with anger and frustration. Ilana Stein shares her thoughts on the chapters with help from our great teacher Maureen Kendler z"l and invokes Shakespeare to solve the 'spoiler problem' while she's at it. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.16?lang=bi , https://www.sefaria.org/Job.17?lang=bi

Iyov Ch.15 - Eliphaz speaks again, beginning the second round of the friends' responses. In my audio I share a teaching on the Talmud's presentation of the friends of Iyov as the paradigm model of how not to speak to someone experiencing terrible pain. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.15?lang=bi

Iyov Ch13+14: a critical turning point as Iyov takes Eliphaz up on his suggestion of taking his case to God. In my recording I share what is my favourite _kri ketiv_ of all time, how a simple difference between how a word is written and how it is pronounced can dramatically change the meaning of a chapter. A thought for ch14 that I didn't mention in the recording: Iyov contrasts humanity to trees...

Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.12?lang=bi

Iyov Ch.11 - the turn of Tzofar, friend #3. It's all a mystery but perhaps if you change your perception, your suffering won't seem so bad. Audio from yours truly. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.11?lang=bi

Iyov responds to both Bildad and Eliphaz with passion and irony. We are delighted to welcome back Rabbi Gamliel Shmalo who argues eloquently that what Iyov's friends fail to understand is that his protest is itself a form of faith. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.9?lang=bi , https://www.sefaria.org/Job.10?lang=bi

Rafi Addlestone unpacks Bildad's four arguments with a little bit of help from The Prince of Egypt. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.8?lang=bi

Chs.6 and 7: Iyov's response to Eliphaz. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.6?lang=bi , https://www.sefaria.org/Job.7?lang=bi

Iyov 4 and 5: Eliphaz, the first of the friends, speaks up with not-so-comforting words of 'you must have deserved it'. There's a vision too - at first glance it appears to be Eliphaz's, but does that make sense? Audio from Ilana! Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.4?lang=bi , https://www.sefaria.org/Job.5?lang=bi

Iyov Ch.3 - Finally, after a week of silence, Iyov speaks and curses the day he was born. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.3?lang=bi

Iyov Ch.2 - yesterday he lost his family and possessions, today his body is afflicted and yet he refuses to curse God. Calev teaches today's chapter providing insights on the books structure and historical composition as well as a breathtaking correspondence between the friends of Iyov and Ross, Jennifer, Chandler, Monica and Phoebe. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Job.2?lang=bi

Rarely do two juxtaposed chapters contrast so strongly with one another. Mishlei 31- Eishet Chayil, the construction of a home. Iyov 1- the destruction of a home. Sam Lebens will introduce the book of Iyov (Job), the ultimate reflection on the righteous who suffer. And for anyone intrigued by Sam's presentation of Eleanore Stump's response to the problem of evil and her reading of Iyov, Professor...

Rarely do two juxtaposed chapters contrast so strongly with one another. Misheli 31-Eishet Chayil, the construction of a home. Iyov 1-the destruction of a home. Today we end one book and begin another. Congratulations on finish Mishlei! On to Iyov! I share thoughts on Solomon's woman of valour. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Proverbs.31?lang=bi

Ilana Stein will share her wisdom on ch.30 and the words of Agur who describes himself as 'a boor of a man' but nevertheless has much wisdom to impart. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Proverbs.30?lang=bi