Sometimes listening is preferable to reading. Listen to select teachings in audio, or explore an ever-growing list of short, inspirational messages from the Torah and the Prophets.
In this segment, the Hebrew Prophets are presented in the context of the broader Near Eastern culture. Israel is not the only people group that has had individuals endeavor to reach out and interact with the supernatural world. Understanding who
In Vayikra, in Leviticus 21, verses 10-11 speak to a priest, who is the greatest among his brothers because he was anointed, should not tear his garments or bare his head. He should not defile himself even if his
Are the Essenes the same people as the Jewish Qumran Sect? Who are the Zealots, and why does Josephus dislike them so much? Pinchas Shir helps us better understand the diverse beliefs among the Jews during the Second Temple Period
We start with the Hasidim and discuss how the Pharisees emerged from this group. While the Sadducees were Temple-focused, the Pharisees were focused on purity in everyday life. They were an of-the-people-for-the-people kind of
What was Judaism like in the Second Temple period? It was diverse. Very diverse. In this discussion, Pinchas Shir tells us about where that diversity came from and why we primarily talk about four divisions of Judaism from that time.
When this particular Hebrew poem is read in translation, its words sound very familiar to many Christian audiences. Why? Like Moses, Yeshua spoke very similar words, repeating the words preserved in Deuteronomy. Like Moshe, he criticized certain people who surrounded
Psalms are ancient Jewish poetry, composed in classical Hebrew, yet somehow, these ancient songs, even in translation, still move people all over the world. Psalm 24 anticipates the King of Glory (mekekh hakavod, מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד)
The purpose of the priest is to serve Hashem and stand between God and his people. His place is in the center of the camp. But some people are very far away. They need us to go to them. And
This song is in English and Hebrew, inspired by the message of Psalm 23. Psalm 23 is one of the most favorite in the Bible. This composition is a meditative journey that prompts you to allow yourself to feel the
In our weekly reading, Behukotai, Vaikra ch. 27, Leviticus, we encounter arakhin - valuations related to vows made before Hashem. Torah is a very ancient document, which sometimes means it will be challenging for us to relate to the situations it
This etiquette of shelomim offering may sound strange to us today if we do not fully grasp the symbolism and the implications of the scenario Torah presents us. Shelomim is a special offering of well-being, shalom, and wholeness. It
Have you ever heard the saying "free as a bird?" Birds are considered free creatures because they have an amazing ability to fly. They can get away from danger very quickly. We observe them sitting on tree branches,
