The Tanakh Podcast

Chapter 10 returns us to the image of the Merkava - the Divine Chariot, as we watch the Shekhina leave Jerusalem in "Ten Stages".

Amidst the punishing destruction of Jerusalem, a mark will be painted on the foreheads of the righteous and they will be saved.

Yechezkel visits Jerusalem in a prophetic out-of-body experience, as God demonstrates an entire array of idolatrous practices being performed inside the Temple compound!

Yechezkel warns the people that the end of Jerusalem is imminent.

Yechezkel addresses the "Hills of Israel". What is the connection between the physical landscape and the nations sins?

In this podcast we discuss how Chapter 5-6 is replete with motifs and phrases from the Tochacha of Vayikra (Lev) ch.26 placing the Hurban and the sufferings of the Exile in a covenantal rubric.

Ezekiel acts out the siege in a series of dramatic symbolic actions that he performs in his home.

We cover two themes today: 1. The verse ברוך כבוד ה' ממקומו and the structure of "Kedusha". 2. The theme of Ezekiel's Silence Music. Leonard Cohen - "If it be your will"

What is Ezekiel's role? What is his message? What does he want from his audience? Why prophecy about Jerusalem to an audience sitting in Babylon? We shall answer this question relating to another feature of Yechezkel - his passivity.

After a short introduction to the Book of Ezekiel we offer two ways of looking at the scene of the Divine Chariot witnessed by Yechezkel in the opening chapter.

Today we close the book with a summary. Please consider making a donation and supporting our work via Patreon . It is a monthly donation. You can stop the payments at any time of your choosing.

Jeremiah's final "symbolic act" has a scroll - written with the prophecies of Babylon's demise - cast into the Euphrates river. What might this mean?

Chapter 50 is about the destruction of Babylon. But we will focus on the promise that with the demise of Babylon, the Jewish people will return to their land, and their persecution will end. In this context, chapter 50 compares Israel to a flock of sheep. Is this a complementary image or a portrait of vulnerability? What can we learn from it?

What spiritual messages does this chapter hold for us - a chapter about 5 nations, some (Kedar and Elam) rather obscure.

Today we discuss the special features of the prophecy against Moav 1. A sin - pride and arrogance 2. The poetry of the chapter 3. The plethora of names that characterize this prophecy 4. The intriguing citing of lines from Isaiah and Sefer Bamidbar that appear in the prophecy.

In the second of Jeremiah's Prophecies against the Nations" we read about the total destruction of the Philistines in Gaza.

Two prophecies that predict the military defeat of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar and its subsequent invasion. But why does Jeremiah need to speak against gentile nations?

Chapter 45 is a prophecy directed at Baruch ben Neriah, Jeremiah's scribe and assistant. Why does Baruch warrant his own chapter?

The Jews of Pathros in Egypt challenge the fundamental covenantal theology of Judaism, asserting that when Israel worshipped idols, their national fortunes improved; it is faith in God that has brought nation ruin.

The surviving remnant, including Jeremiah leave the Land of Israel, and make their way to Egypt. in contravention of God's prophecy. Why is the descent to Egypt worse than the exile in Babylon?

After Gedalia's assassination the people request that Jeremiah appeal to God to guide them what to do. God responds to Jeremiah but the people should remain in the land and not migrate down to Egypt.

Our chapter describes the Assassination of Babylonian Governor - Gedaliah. In the narrative, two side-references are made to two places which each signify awful instances of Jewish in-fighting.

In the initial segment of this chapter we read how Jeremiah is given the choice to go to Babylon as an ally and a guest of the Babylonians. He refuses. He wants to stay amongst the people. In the second segment of the chapter we meet Gedalia the official who is appointed by the Babylonians as the governor of the land of Israel. Who is he? What is his agenda? And who are his opponents?

In this chapter we read about the fall of Jerusalem. What becomes of King Zedekiah? What will befall Jeremiah?

Jeremiah is thrown into a cistern and submerged in mud. Surprisingly a foreigner Eved-Melekh the Kushite, saves his life!