Hebrew In Israel

This week’s Torah portion, Bamidbar (in the wilderness), we address several aspects of numbers in the bible. Torah Portion Bamidbar:  Numbers 1:1 – 4:20 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: Where Did the Name “Numbers” Come From? What is History’s Place in the Bible? The Usage of Numerals Gematria Tertullian’s Role in Leading Early Christians Away From Torah Keeping  אֶחָד […]

Jeff and Yoel discuss the return to Eden; role and types of prophets, including Joel’s promise of sons and daughters prophesying, and holding the blessings and curses by faith and tangibility in this combined broadcast of parashat Bechukotai (By my regulations) and Hoshea chapter 11. Torah Portion Bechuqotai: Leviticus 26:3–27:34 Psalm 126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of […]

This week’s first Torah portion, Behar (On the mountain), describes the Shemittah (sabbatical year) and the Yovel (Jubilee).  When, where and how are we to keep them? Torah Portion Behar:  Leviticus 25:1 – 26:2 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: When do you Keep Shemittah? The Book of Jubilees Should We Keep Shemittah Outside the Land? The […]

In this week’s Torah portion, Emor (speak), we see how the cohanim (priests) are supposed to look and behave as representatives of God on earth. Torah Portion Emor:  Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: The Reform Movement and Women’s Roles in Leadership and Temple Service Appearance of the Cohanim Contact with the […]

In this week’s second Torah portion, Qedoshim (holy ones), Yoel examines the laws for our social structure that make us holy by upholding order and reducing chaos. Torah Portion Qedoshim:  Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: Women in Ancient Israel Where Does Holiness Come From? The Fatherless and the Ger (stranger) […]

In this week’s first Torah portion, Acharey Mot (after the death), Yoel walks us through the procedures and insights connected to Yom Hakippurim (Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement). Torah Portion Acharey Mot:  Leviticus 16:1 – 20:27 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: The Organization of Holiness and Purity Laws Yom Hakippurim (Day of Atonements) Day of […]

In this week’s second Torah portion, Metzora’ (leper), Yoel explains the nature of biblical leprosy, the social condition of the leper and other realities of leprosy that we find in the Tanakh. Torah Portion Metzora’: Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33 Questions and Topics in this Discussion: The Testing Period The Divine Connection Being a Social Outcast […]

In this week’s Torah portion, Tazria (she conceives), Yoel addresses the odd laws of childbirth and blood flow. Torah Portion Tazria:  Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59 Questions and topics in this discussion: The Concept of Clean and Unclean Possible Connection Between Childbirth and the Garden of Eden Typological Numbers (7, 40) The Woman’s Status During the 7 […]

This week’s Torah portion, Shmini (eighth), contains the dietary laws of God.  Listen as Yoel explains about Kosher practices in the home. Torah Portion Shmini: Leviticus  9:1 – 11:47 Questions and topics in this discussion: What does Kosher mean? How are we defiled by what we eat? Rabbinic Kosher vs. Biblical Kosher Removing the Blood Issues With Produce […]

“Then Hizkiyahu sent to all Isra’el and Y’hudah, and wrote letters also to Efrayim and M’nasheh, summoning them to the house of YHWH in Yerushalayim, to keep the Pesach to YHWH the God of Isra’el.” 2 Chronicles 30:1 From our weekly bible class, we look at how converts have been handled at different times, and how King Hizkiyahu’s passover is a […]