There was a double parsha last week, so this week’s overview covers two weeks worth of reading.  This is also the final post on Yeshaiyahu. Chapters 46-54 continue on the theme of reminding the people of the ridiculousness of idolatry.  Idols may be captured and carried into captivity, but Hashem carries His people–even when they … More Yeshaiyahu 46-66

This week’s segment opens with Hizkiyahu’s distress at the Assyrian threat.  However, Yeshaiyahu reassures the court that the Assyrians’ plans will be thwarted by Divine intervention.  Indeed, Sencherev abandoned the siege of Jerusalem after being delayed by Taharqa (the Cushite king referred to in Yeshaiyahu 37 as Tirhaka).  Taharqa, in an effort to maintain, and … More Yeshaiyahu 37-45

Chapters 28-36 open with another condemnation of treacherous Ephraim, which had openly allied itself with the enemies of the sons of Yisrael.  But Yeshaiyahu gives the odd prophecy that the people will be returned to the Law–little by little–by a foreign people.  And the prophecy was realized.  First, Hizkiyahu implemented his reforms and purged Yehudah … More Yeshaiyahu 28-36

In the reign of Hizkiyahu, attempts were made to create a regional alliance (notably with Moav and Philistia, among others) and take on the big regional powers: Egypt and Assyria.  Chapter 19 is about Hizkiyahu’s attempt against Egypt.  The prophecy was averted, the battle failed.  Instead, Israel, Egypt, and Assyria all eventually found themselves held … More Yeshaiyahu 19-27

This week’s chunk of Yeshaiyahu continues on the theme of impending conquest.  The prophet directly identifies Assyria as the weapon of his wrath and the tool with which he will render justice.  But Hashem further warns that the King of Assyria will also grow arrogant in his conquest of the region, fancying himself the cause … More Yeshaiyahu 10-18

In my last post, I introduced a blog series on my interpretation of the Prophets.  That introduction included a description of my approach to Biblical texts and prophecy.  You may want to read it before proceeding to read this post.   Our perusal of the Prophets begins with Yeshaiyahu (Isaiah), but not in the Book … More The Prophets, Part II: Yeshaiyahu

In my quest to read the entire TaNaKh this year, I’ve progressed to Iyov (The reading schedule I’ve worked out will be available as an ebook once I’ve finished testing it!).  Iyov has always been a difficult book for me.  It offends many of my sensibilities about religion, practice, and the individual relationship between the … More Iyov

A while back, Ladies Against Feminism drew my attention to an article featured in The New Atlantis: “The Global War Against Baby Girls”. In it, Nicholas Eberstadt of the American Enterprise Institute discusses the real and, apparently growing problem of gender selective abortion–specifically female feticide–in all its grim statistical detail. In order for populations to … More Females and Feminism

Normally, I try to limit my posts on this blog to topics directly relating to Torah or TaNaKh.  However, I think a recent scandal in the news makes an excellent case study in morality and the place of ideals in society. Some weeks ago, a variety of Secret Service agents serving as the president’s advance … More Impulsiveness, Integrity, and Idealism

The Torah is full of legal and religious laws and precedents that offer us significant insight into righteous jurisprudence. In this section I will explore concepts of jurisprudence in the Torah in the areas of criminal law, civil law, civil liberties, and religious law. There are many inaccuracies in modern thought about biblical jurisprudence. Some … More Introduction to Righteous Jurisprudence