Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zephaniah.3

Ch 2: In which the prophet addresses the nations around him later today. Like Havakkuk, a short, little-read but fascinating book of navi; in which that which happens to Jerusalem will happen to Nineveh too. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zephaniah.2

Today we are learning the book of Tzephania - a contemporary of Yirmiyahu in the decades immediately prior to the destruction of the 1st Temple. In my recording I introduce the book and the prophet and consider an intriguing suggestion of the Ibn Ezra as to who Tzephania is descended from. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Zephaniah.1

Calev Ben Dor completes this fascinating little book, reflecting upon the profound effect that one verse in our chapter - צדיק באמונתו יחיה the righteous shall live through their faith - had upon Judaism, Christianity and world history. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Habakkuk.2, https://www.sefaria.org/Habakkuk.3

Havakuk - most of the time this prophet is only mentioned as names that parents are not going to give to children. But within these three chapters is one of the most piercing cries to God for justice in this cruel world. No critique of Israel, no castigations of foreign nations - just one man turning to God and asking why. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Habakkuk.1

Sefer Nahum-the non-identical twin of the book of Yonah - focused totally on the city of Nineveh but a book not of teshuva but of destruction. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Nahum.1

In the final chapter of the sefer the Navi laments the falsehood and violence around him yet
וַאֲנִי בַּיהֹוָה אֲצַפֶּה אוֹחִילָה לֵאלֹהֵי יִשְׁעִי יִשְׁמָעֵנִי אֱלֹהָי׃
"Yet I will look to the LORD, I will wait for the God who saves me, My God will hear me".

Audio sharing a beautiful idea of the great chassidic writer, the Sefat Emet, on this chapter. Text here:https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.7

Micah 5 & 6: Chapters that combine visions of future redemption with harsh criticism of a society which puts too much of an emphasis on ritual at the expense of what it is that is asked of us which is 'to perform justice, lovingkindness and to walk humbly with your God כי אם עשות משפט ואהבת חסד והצנע לכת עם אלוהיך (6:8.

Calev Ben Dor illuminates ch.6's argument against korbanot by considering the historical context of the influence of Assyrian culture on Yehuda at that time - 'where Assyria saw ritual as a divine need and law as a human need, Israel saw ritual as a human need and law as a divine need'. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.6

Micah 5 & 6: Chapters that combine visions of future redemption with harsh criticism of a society which puts too much of an emphasis on ritual at the expense of what it is that is asked of us which is 'to perform justice, lovingkindness and to walk humbly with your God כי אם עשות משפט ואהבת חסד והצנע לכת עם אלוהיך (6:8Audio from myself, focusing on Rav Amital's explanation of a curious phrase in ch.5. Text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.5

Rafi Addlestone reflects on his recent trip to Amsterdam, the musical Hamilton, and a verse from our chapter that lies at the heart of Western political thought. https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.4