On The Other Side
Every time I go on vacation I need to go somewhere. I can't stay at home. If I stay at home, I will end up doing things around the house. It will not be a vacation. I can't look at things that need to be done...
Pinchas Shir
My research is focused on the interpretations of biblical texts in the contexts of ancient culture, languages, and history.
322 posts
Love Human, Love Divine
These videos are inspirational talks and teachings about love. It is not an academic topic but an interactive conversation about the meaning of love and how we should make sense of it. The talk was recorded in front of a live audience, and a number of interactions with the audience...
Love in Three Holiday Megilot
This enlightening video explores the profound message of love conveyed in the three sacred books (Megilot) read during the festivals of Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. Guided by the esteemed Rabbi Sacks, this teaching session will not only inspire you but also cultivate a deep desire to explore the depths of...
Unheard Voices of Hebrew Kings and Prophets
Inside this book are new and updated translations of seven Jewish texts from the Second Temple Era: Prayer of Manasseh, Book of Baruch, Psalms of Solomon, Testament of Moses, Lives of the Prophets, Apocalypse of Moses, and Apocalypse of Abraham. Because these spiritual works are extra-canonical, their voices are often...
Mysterious Nicolaitans
The Book of Revelation mentions a mysterious group and decries the false teaching of Nicolaitans. There are many theories about who these Nicolaitans were, but research focused on the cultural, historical, and linguistic context of Revelation changes everything and challenges the traditional theories built on more dogmatic and theological interests....
Standing by Heaven’s Gates
From time to time, I hear people make references to the pearly gates of heaven, where St. Peter stands and admits people into eternity. I have seen all sorts of depictions of this scene. I never understood this tradition until I realized that it is a bit of Christian cultural...
Milk and Honey
Sticky situations. Standing in front of pivotal decisions is something we all do. Many stories in the Torah inspire us about these very scenarios. This is one of those stories. Some of us face hard decisions quite often, and some of us are facing them right now. We face doubt....
Dan Shall be a Serpent
There is an intriguing and cryptic text about Dan in the Torah. In Jacob’s final blessing on his sons, in Genesis 49, Dan is compared to a “serpent” (נָחָשׁ; nachash). Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent...
The Origins and Beginnings of Hassidism
This is a lecture by Prof. Rachel Elior of Hebrew University. If you are interested in Kabballah, Hassidism, Zohar, and the development of esoteric spirituality in Judaism, you will find this lecture very insightful. Dr. Elior is an expert in this area. However, a disclaimer needs to follow: Dr. Elior...