Compares the differing approaches of Mishlei and Kohelet / Proverbs and Ecclesiastes regarding wisdom and the purpose of life, and discusses why Kohelet is read by Jews on Sukkot, of all holidays,

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Explores the tumultous eighth century BCE which saw the emergence of four of Israel's greatest prophets - Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah. Discusses the historical social and political changes that swept across the Ancient Ner East and how they influenced Israel's religious works forever.

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Rabbi Leibtag discusses his innovative approach to understanding the historical books of the Bible, and applies this approach to Sefer Shmuel. He outlines the various sections of the book, and argues for a series of authors that attempt to justify Davidic rule over the kingdoms.

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On this podcast we discuss the Shema, when the phrase Baruch Shem Kavod Malchulto Le'Olam Va'Ed was added, and the hidden connection to the Ten Commandments based on the structure of the book of Deuteronomy (Sefer Devarim)

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This short podcast deals with the Torah reading for Tisha BeAv - Deut (Devarim 4), looks at its literary structure (hint - its a chiasm!), keywords, and explains why the rabbis chose which books of the Tanach could be studied on TIsha BeAv and which other ones could not ...

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Discusses the contradictions in the accounts between the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy about the episode of the spies, and presents three possible solutions.

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Numbers 36 - Why did the tribe of Menashe wait before complaning about the daughters of Zelophad, and how does this story foreshadow the events of the book of Judges? 

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A longer episode than most, we discuss the Book of Kings with Rabbi Alex Israel, author of the recently published "Kings 2: Into the Whirlwind" by Maggid Press (2019) - the sequel to his commentary on Kings 1. During the discussion Rabbi Israel and I discuss the fascinating and sometimes overlooked characters and stories of the book of Kings, and its purpose in the framework of Tanach.

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This podcast discusses chapter 32 in Bemidbar (the book of Numbers). With a close reading of the text, we try to answer the classic argument of the commentators whether Moshe's outburst against them was justified, or the sign of a leader who has lost touch with the people ...

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