The Tanakh Podcast

Micah accuses the leadership - royalty, aristocracy, priests and prophets - of corruption. He issues a warning that Jerusalem will be destroyed. Did his words make an impact?

Chapter 2 presents a biting social critique of the injustices of society.

Micah is the fourth of the prophets who predicted the rise of the Assyrians and the downfall of Shomron and the ravaging of Judah. Today we discuss Micah's geography, imagery, empathy, poetry, and a little about archaeology as well.

Yonah is furious that God has forgiven Nineveh. Why is he so angry? Now Yonah reveals why he ran away to Tarshish. And God teaches him an important lesson about Justice and Mercy and what it is to be human.

Yonah calls on Nineveh to repent. They do! But are the changes that they make just a show or do they reflect a deeper process of change?

Jonah prays from the belly of the fish. Why does it take him 3 days to pray? What does he say in his prayer? Is he remorseful? Does he do Teshuva?

God instructs Yonah to call on Ninenveh to repent. Yonah refuses. He will not be accept the mission. Yonah runs from God. But ironically, on the way he influences others to find God!

Today we study a book that is only one chapter in length!

Amos ch.9 is confusing. Is Amos predicting curse or blessing?

Amos predicts a thirst and a hunger for God - but that the people will be unable to find the word of God. This is the most devastatingly awful prophecy! So why have so many people found solace in these verses and turned them into song?

Amos has an unpleasant encounter in the Temple at Beth-El in which he is accused of treason and national betrayal. This allows Amos to reflect upon the difference between authentic prophets and prophets for hire.

Woe! This chapter yet again assails the people of Samaria for their carefree lifestyle and their abandonment of justice and warns that their wealth and security will soon be undone.

It is difficult to convince a society who think they are righteous that their priorities are wrong. That is Amos' challenge.

Our chapter contains a poem warning the people five times, time after time, that disaster will strike. But that they can avoid the catastrophe if they return to God.

The opening verses of the chapter challenge the sense of immunity that nation feels by virtue of its status as the "Chosen People". This is followed by 7 questions. What are these questions communicating?

Today we study Amos' biting critique of the wealthy classes in Samaria.

Who is Amos? When did he live? And why does he start his book with 7 prophecies against the nations? Music: Omer Avital - "Three Four"

Chapter 4 depicts and "End of Days" scenario: The restoration of Jerusalem, return of the Exiles, Judgement of the Nations, and the regeneration of the Land of Israel.

"After that, I will pour out My spirit on all flesh... everyone who invokes GOD’s name shall escape; for there shall be a remnant on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem." What period is Yoel describing? Does Jerusalem protect all who invoke God's name?

This chapter depicts an impending disaster, a call to fast and repent, and then God's mercy and reversal of the national calamity.

Yoel ch.1 describes a devaststating plague of locusts and a call for the nation to respond by fasting and crying out to God.

50 min shiur Three Messages for Tu Bishvat as our nation fights Hamas in Gaza: 1. Tu Bishvat and Redemption 2. Trees, rootedness and our connection to Place 3. Honi Hamaagel and the Long Road to Redemption Sourcesheet https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OGK3YbfiH3jxVus4f0BlK_OEsOFth5Qc/view?usp=sharing

This is the Haftara for Shabbat Shuva, a beautiful to and from between God and Israel that is filled with love, repentance and blessing. But where does it belong inn Sefer Hoshea?

This chapter prophecises the demise of the Northern Kingdom with a wealth of metaphors. We discuss several of them.

Chapter 12 deals with Israel's unreliable and fraudulent ways. But what does Yaakov have to do with it? Is it true that Jacob "tricked his brother from the womb"?