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A collection of 58 posts

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Hanukkah Modern and Ancient

Many people know what Hanukkah is like based on how it is celebrated today. But not many know how the ancient people viewed it. Hanukkah is over 2000 years old! Peek into some old perspectives on Hanukkah.

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Development of Christmas Customs by History Channel

Christmas is an important cultural holiday in the Western world. And while most Jews don't participate in it, it is a very meaningful celebration for the majority of Christians. Its foundation is the birth of Jesus in the New Testament. But did you know Christmas wasn't always celebrated on December

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The History of Hanukkah by History Channel

How much do you know about Hanukkah? Though for many today presents are involved it's not a Jewish version of Christmas. History Channel explores the traditions of Hanukkah in this short video. Learn something new or see how much you really know about the Festival of lights.

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Samaritans: Documentary

How much do you know about the Samaritans? This video is a fascinating look into the life and history of the Samaritan community. Most people have heard the name "Samaritan" but know so little about these ancient people. It is a true miracle that some modern descendants of ancient Samaritans

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Psalm 145 in Hebrew

Psalm 145 expresses profound thanksgiving for the care God takes for all of his creatures. (Translation by Pinchas Shir) תְּהִלָּה לְדָוִד אֲרוֹמִמְךָ אֱלוֹהַי הַמֶּלֶךְ וַאֲבָרֲכָה שִׁמְךָ לְ

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Two Thousand Year Old Stone Vessel Factory found in Israel

A rare workshop for the production of chalkstone vessels, dated to the Roman period, is being excavated and studied at Reina in Lower Galilee. Excavations are unearthing a cave in which archaeologists have found thousands of chalkstone cores and other types of production waste, including fragments of stone mugs and

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The One God who is Two

This is a lecture by Shaye J. D. Cohen who is a Professor of Hebrew Literature and Philosophy in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University. He is a well-known historian who also holds rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. His lectures often probe deep

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Yom Kippur Customs and Observances by BimBam

Learn the basics of the Day of Atonement in 3 minutes. Yom Kippur is the most holy day of the Jewish year and it is full of spiritual opportunity if you open yourself up to its customs, prayers and melodies. This short video is a basic primer on what Yom

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Psalm 3 (Hebrew-English)

Psalm 3 is a desperate cry for help, praise from the lips of David. God rescued him from the grip of his foes as they sought his life. This poem is full of hope and assurance in God’s miraculous salvation amidst great danger. מִזְמוֹר לְדָ

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Food Laws - Jewish Perspective

This is a lecture by Shaye J. D. Cohen who is a Professor of Hebrew Literature and Philosophy in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University. He is a well-known historian who also holds rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. If University lectures typically don't

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What is Kosher? by BimBam

An introduction to kosher, for everyone. Learn why people keep kosher, the basic rules, how to get started, or how to be thoughtful as a guest in a kosher home. A great intro for Jews and non-Jews alike.

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Listen to Yemenite, Samaritan, and Modern Hebrew

Hebrew is an ancient language. And throughout thousands of years, different versions of Hebrew have emerged. Most people are familiar with the Modern Israeli Hebrew but rarely hear other forms. In this video, you can hear a Yemenite Jew showcase the differences in Hebrew pronunciation preserved in his community. And

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The Salt of The Earth

In Matthew 5:13 Jesus said to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth..." but what exactly did he mean by that?  Look beyond the English idioms. Look deeper into history. Consider how ancient Greeks and Jews perceived salt in antiquity. What did salt mean to Romans? Study

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No Judaism in Josephus

This is a lecture by Daniel Boyarin who taught at Hebrew University, Yale, Harvard, Yeshiva University, and now lectures at Berkley. Besides being a prolific writer Professor Boyarin constantly challenges conventional scholarship with ideas that seem provocative, but always well-researched. In this lecture, he proposes that Judaism is not an

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Psalm 1 in Hebrew (with English Translation)

Psalm 1 describes two paths, two choices, two directions that one can take in life. If you are on Hashem's path be strengthened. If you are not, wake up! Let these ancient words speak to you wherever you are. אַשְׁרֵי־הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹ

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Why Study Zohar and Kabbalah?

This is a lecture by Daniel Matt a scholar of Kabbalah and a Professor at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. He taught at Stanford University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dr. Matt is a translator of the first nine volumes of the twelve-volume Zohar (Pritzker edition). In my

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Jesus Kept Kosher

Professor Daniel Boyarin can boast of a distinguished career in academia, both in Israel and in the USA, in religious and in secular institutions. His ideas and research often challenge preconceived notions of both Jews and Christians, and he receives plenty of criticism for his bold claims. His books are

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Psalm 121 (Hebrew - English)

Psalm 121 speaks of God's protection of those who trust in Hashem. God's ever-present hand, a shadow besides traveler. שִׁיר לַמַּעֲלוֹת אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי אֶל־הֶהָרִים מֵאַיִן יָבֹא עֶזְרִי׃ עֶ

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Rethinking Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism

This is a lecture by Rachel Elior, a Professor of Jewish Philosophy and Jewish Mystical Thought at the Hebrew University, a talk given in front of an audience of peers. Her research is insightful and often challenges the status quo academic thinking. In this segment, she raises questions of definitions

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What is Judaism?

This is a lecture by Shaye J. D. Cohen who is a Professor of Hebrew Literature and Philosophy in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University. He is a well-known historian who also holds rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. His lectures often probe deep

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Psalm 150 in Hebrew (with English Translation)

Psalm 150 in Hebrew is a song of praise that should ring in the hearts of all who live and move. The very breath we breathe is the breath of Hashem who made us alive. הַלְלוּ יָהּ הַלְלוּ־אֵל בְּקָדְשׁוֹ

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Fists & Ritual Handwashing in Mark 7:3

Remember a story in the Gospel where some pious Jews asked Jesus about his disciples not washing hands before they ate? What was the big deal? You may not know this, but most Bible translations have struggled to translate these sentences quite a bit.

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Who Was Judah the Maccabee? by Breaking Matzo

Spend a couple of minutes and get a quick summary about Judah Maccabee in this informational video by Breaking Matzo. Learn who Judah was and why he is significant in Jewish history.

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God's Name in the Hebrew Bible: Yahweh, Jehovah & Adonai

I was lecturing to a group of students at a Christian University and one of the students asked me about God's name in the Hebrew Bible. Is it Yahweh, is it Jehovah? This video an excerpt from my lecture. I put my notes aside and explain the popular pronunciations of

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Was Jesus the First Christian? by Bible History

If Jesus was a Jew, and Christianity became his religion, then it makes sense that Jesus was the first Christian. However, Dr. James Charlesworth, of Princeton Theological Seminary argues that this was just not the case; Jesus did not part ways with Judaism.