The Tanakh Podcast

Chapter 13 lists the tribal portions of Reuven, Gad and Menashe on the East bank of the Jordan river. But is this land part of the land of Israel? The text of Sefer Yehoshua is somewhat ambivalent about this region, a negativity with roots in the Torah.

Chapter 12 is a victory song! Hooray! We have defeated 31 kingdoms! But open chapter 13. "Joshua!" says God; "There is lots more to conquer!"  So, was it a total and comprehensive conquest or only a partial one?

This fourth campaign in Israel's military conquest is absolutely natural; no miracles at all. But why does God instruct Joshua to destroy the chariots and hamstring the horses of the enemy? What is God teaching the Israelites?

Joshua comes to the aid of his new allies, the Gibeonites, as they are attacked by five Canaanite armies. This provides him with a lucky opportunity to battle the enemy in the open, outside the protective walls of their cities.  This military campaign obliterates the Canaanite enemy in the South of the country.

The Gibeonites trick the Israelites into thinking that they are from a distant locale. Was peace an option with the Canaanite nation? The Gibeonites clearly thought that local tribes would be slaughtered wholesale. What does the Torah say about this?

Can we learn from our mistakes? Yes we can! In this chapter Israel successfully conquer the city of Ai, learning the lessons of their earlier defeat.  The chapter ends with a covenantal ceremony at Sh'khem. 

If one individual sins, should everyone be culpable? In this chapter, Achan takes from the spoils, and the entire nation suffer a military defeat! Is there a connection between one person's action and the nation at large?

In this podcast we give an introduction to Chapter 6-12 - the war chapters. We also discuss why everything about the Battle of Jericho is in multiples of seven. What does it mean?

Invade a country and then paralyze your entire army by circumcising them. Does it make sense? Well it does if you understand that here is the fulfillment of 400 years of Jewish history and the two foundational national covenants of Judaism. 

Why are so many elements of this chapter remeniscent of the Exodus? It seems as if God is trying to re-stage the original Pesach, the crossing of the Sea, and elements of Mt. Sinai as well! Why does God craft a second Exodus?

It's a miracle! To cross the Jordan River to enter Canaan, God splits the river! But the Jordan isn't particularly wide! Why did we need a miracle?

Why does Joshua send spies? It ended pretty badly last time the Israelites sent Spies! And as soon as they enter Jericho, they almost get caught! Is this the worst  spying mission in history? Or maybe not!

Joshua Chapter 1 opens with the national mobilization of the conquest of Canaan. How will the nation get ready? How will Joshua build his confidence? In this chapter we will see three speeches which prime each group as they stand poised to cross the Jordan

Why was Joshua the man to succeed the great prophet Moses? What skills made him the correct person to lead Israel into the Promised Land? In this introductory class, we will examine Joshua's "resume" and discover what made him the perfect candidate for the job.

In this chapter we narrate Moses' final ascent, to Har Nebo, where he will see the land, restricted from entering it. In this podcast we discuss Moshe's poignant end, having achieved so much but yet not having fully achieved all that he desired. This is an end without an ending. ----------------- To support our work: https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael https://patreon.com/u51407457

The poetry of Vezot Habracha is tough. Today we discuss the prologue and the epilogue to Moses' blessings to the tribes. The first depicts Matan Torah, the second depicts God defeating Israel's foes and settling them safely in their land. ----------- To support the podcast, please donate at: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael⁠⁠ https://patreon.com/u51407457

Today we visit several lessons from this song, this poem. One of our questions is whether there is a divine promise that the Jewish people will never be destroyed. And if so, why?

Wen was the Torah written down? Most people probably would suggest that it happened at Mount Sinai. We shall offer a different approach. --- To support the podcast, please donate at: https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael https://patreon.com/u51407457

Our chapter is characterized by a sevenfold usage of the word Lashuv - to return. Indeed, it narrates a tale of national return, restoration and redemption. But what are the ingredients of that restoration?

Here we have yet another ceremony of covenantal commitment, but the emphasis here is on the way that the whole nation is interconnected, the notion of "klal yisrael" linking every Jew together throughout the generations.

This is possibly the most terrifying chapter of Torah, describing and predicting the horrific persecution that the Jewish people will endure if they abandon the covenant. And it has all come true! But we will salvage some hope from this chapter with the assistance of the Klausenberger Rebbe.

Moses is instructed to choreograph a covenantal ceremony that will be performed upon entry to the land of Canaan. This ceremony bears a striking resemblance to the events 40 years earlier at Sinai. We already have the Torah. Why perform a new commitment ceremony?

Is the Bikkurim Declaration about fruit? Why does it tell the short-version of Jewish history? Why do we use it as the basis of the Haggadah?

Today we discuss: 1. the mitzva of ensuring that weights and measures are honest and accurate. 2. The notion of Yibum and perpetuating the name of the dead.

Today we discuss a series of laws designed to protect the weak in society; forging a Jewish society of welfare and kindness.