A calm day for everyone hopefully with the end of the chagim, but anything but a calm day in the cycle of 929 as the Temple is destroyed and Judah is exiled. Today marks the end of both the book of Melakhim and the narrative history genre of the Tanakh which we have known since the beginning of our studies. In my recording today I try to provide some overview of the final three chapters, 23 to 25, through a dizzying number of kings, to unpack the political from the religious reasons for the Temples destruction. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.23, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.24, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.25

After the terrible Menasheh, we have the restoration of Yoshiyahu and the discovery of a very important scroll. The brilliant Ilana Stein once again guides us through the chapter with a special focus on the fascinating prophetess, Hulda. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.22

From the highs of Hizkiyahu to the real lows of Menasheh, Jerusalem will be wiped like a plate. Ilana Stein returns to guide us through the chapter Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.21

Today we cover three chapters: both festival days and today, chs. 18, 19 and 20 of Melakhim II, neatly covering the life of the righteous King Chizkiyahu who scholars estimate rules from 715 to 686 BCE. In today's audio we consider how the repelling of the Assyrian siege from the gates of Jerusalem was seen as one of the greatest of examples of God's defence of Jerusalem...and yet nevertheless contained the seeds for the eventual downfall of Jerusalem. Hebrew and English text for these chapters can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.18, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.19, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.20

Melachim II Chs. 15-17 are full and quite challenging chapters featuring multiple kings in both Yehuda and Yisrael and shifting alliances and security challenges with Aram, Assyria and Egypt. In today's audio Calev guides us through the thicket culminating with profound thoughts on the exile of the 10 tribes - the moment where the majority of the Jewish people disappear from history. Hebrew and English text for these chapters can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.15, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.16, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.17

Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.14

War between the king in the north (Yehoash) and the king in the south (Amatzia). These two kings are succeeded by their sons, Azaria in Yehuda and Yerevam in Israel. And who is Yerevam's right hand man? None other than Yonah the son of Amitai!. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.13

A new king, Yehoash, launches a project of restoration in Jerusalem after the abuses of Atalya. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.11

Ilana Stein will take us from 8 to 11 focusing on the story of Atalia.

Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.8, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.9, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.10

Elisha's tumultous final chapters where he plays with inflation and deflation as he defeats foreign armies and makes axes float. Hebrew and English text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.6, https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.7