The Sanhedrin
January 9, 2017
Is it possible that the Sanhedrin, so much beloved by today’s Rabbis, was established under the authority of a Roman governor? … More The Sanhedrin
Category: Prophets
Centrality of Torah
July 13, 2016
There are some basic concepts in the Jewish scriptures that can be easily overlooked by those who teach Judaism. To many Jews these things are so obvious that they do not need to be described. Perhaps one the most essential of the basics is that of scriptural ranking, or hierarchy of authority, and the relationships of … More Centrality of Torah
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) Chapters 1-5
January 1, 2016
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) is the prophet in whose time the Assyrians destroyed the northern kingdom of Yisrael (Israel). The Israelites were traumatized by the horror of seeing their nation destroyed. Some fled to the southern kingdom of Yehudah (Judah), others into Egypt. The northern kingdom had a political office of prophet who advised the king. The … More Yeshayahu (Isaiah) Chapters 1-5
Yeshaiyahu 1-9
November 12, 2013
The last two posts I made on prophetic analysis covered my approach to scripture and prophecy and the context of Yeshaiyahu’s (Isaiah’s) prophecies. This post discusses the first nine chapters of Yeshaiyahu, and subsequent posts will cover similarly sized chunks of this book. Before I discuss what I think are particular points of interest in … More Yeshaiyahu 1-9
The Prophets: An Introduction
December 9, 2012
Over the next several weeks, I hope to publish a series of posts presenting an interpretation of the Neviim (books of the prophets) contained in the Hebrew Bible, beginning with Yeshaiyahu (Isaiah). This interpretation is couched in the historical events and political context of Yeshaiyahu’s time and the years immediately following it. It is my belief … More The Prophets: An Introduction
Thoughts from Yirmiyahu 3
December 14, 2011
We’ve finished Yesheyahu (Isaiah) and moved on to Yeremyahu (Jeremiah). One of the images that Yeremyahu uses in his prophecy is that of a cuckolded husband forgiving his wayward wife or ex-wife. This theme first appears in chapter three, in which G-d says, in essence, that the Law forbids a man to take his wife … More Thoughts from Yirmiyahu 3
The definition of wisdom
November 8, 2011
The Lord G-D hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. –Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 50:4 As I read yesterday in Yeshayahu 50, this verse caught my … More The definition of wisdom
When Virtue Becomes Vice
October 31, 2011
Every morning we read a chapter of the TaNaKh aloud around the breakfast table. Since the Parsha schedule takes us through the Torah every year, we use our breakfast reading as an opportunity to hear the rest of the scripture. Right now, we are in Yesheyahu (Isaiah). Today’s chapter was 47. In it, G-d addresses … More When Virtue Becomes Vice
A Quote from Shmuel (Samuel)
May 15, 2010
First Shmuel 15:22-23: [To King Shaul] 22 Has YHV as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of YHV? Behold: to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion [against YHV] is as the misdeed of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as … More A Quote from Shmuel (Samuel)
Cultural Settings
September 19, 2009
My husband and I were reading Hosea today, and I found a little passage that got me thinking: “how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?” (Hosea 8:5–second half of the verse) In Christian culture, and by extension, Western culture, innocence is something that, once lost, cannot be regained. I believe it comes … More Cultural Settings
Silver Trumpets 