The Tanakh Podcast
Study Tanakh with Rav Alex Israel.
10 mins a day.
One chapter a day.
929 schedule.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 11 minutes
- Episodes
- 767
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
Tehillim. Psalm 61 - Under God's Wing
David calls to God from a distance - "from the ends of the earth", but he years for closeness, "under God's wing."
Even as king, he sees himself as in God's presence.
Tehillim. Psalm ch.60 - The First Prayer for the IDF
Here we find David praying for the success of his armed forces after a particularly surprising and upsetting defeat.
His prayer is raw and bold, it is passionate and unrestrained.
Tehillim. Psalm 59 - Refuge
David is surrounded.
Wild dogs roam the streets.
But God is David's strength and refuge.
Tehillim. Psalm 58 - Evil from the Womb
Here David speaks about corrupt figures in positions of power and authority, who pretend to speak for and implement the law, but are supporting and sustaining a corrupt regime, who are a threat to tr…
Tehillim. Psalm 57 - Musical Warrior
As David escapes from King Saul, he expresses his desire to sing and produce music to praise God.
Is this typical behaviour for a fugitive on the run?
How do we piece together the puzzle of David's …
Tehillim. Psalms 55 - The Wilderness and the City
The city contains violence and conspiracy. The wilderness is a refuge. We discuss this as a trans-biblical theme.
Tehillim. Psalm 54 - Abandonment and Attachment
David feels utterly abandoned, betrayed, lonely.
He turns to God.
What is the nature, the texture of this type of faith? How does it manifest itself?
Tehillim. Psalm 53 - Is Anybody Watching?
The evildoers says "There is no God!" If we feel that there is no comeuppance, no consequences, no judge and no law, then humans are capable of the most dastardly things, jeopardizing our collective …
Tehillim. Psalm 52 - Razor Sharp
This chapter attacks people whose tongues are like razors, cutting down the innocent, causing devastation, under the guise that they are serving the collective good.
Tehillim. Psalm 51 - A New Heart
King David demonstrates the art of prayer after his devastating sin, the mistake of his life.
This Psalm contains some of the most sublime expressions in prayer of remorse, and request for renewal, f…
Tehillim. Psalm 50 - Sacrifice
God assails the hypocrisy of those who live unscrupulous lives and yet bring sacrifices, as if that will bring them favor with God.
Tehillim. Psalm 49 - You Can't Take it With You!
Our chapter meditates upon the end of life and what is important to achieve in this world.
Music.
George Michael - They won't go where I Go
Zusha - The World to Come
Tehillim. Psalm 48 - City Of God
Chapter 48 is the special psalm recited every Monday, and is a hymn to the uniqueness of Jerusalem.,
Tehillim. Psalm 47 - A Fanfare to the Universal God
This chapter is recited 7 times before the Shofar is sounded.
What does it mean?
Tehillim. Psalm 46 - God, Our Protector!
With its famous chorus line that we recite at Havdallah, this chapter celebrates God as the protector of His holy city and His nation.
Tehillim. Psalm 45 - Who is the King?
This is a coronation Psalm, and, it would seem, a royal wedding.
But who is the king? And who is his bride?
Tehilllim. Psalm 44 - Protest!
This chapter has three segments:
1. How God always fought the battles of the Jewish People, He was their strength, pride and protection.
2. But now God has abandoned us to defeat, dispersion, derisio…
Tehillim. Psalm 43 - Who are the "Sons of Korach"?
Psalm 42-49 are all Psalms of the Bnei Korach. What is their story? Who is this group?
Tehillim. Psalm 42 - Craving for God
"As the deer craves streams of water,
so my soul craves for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."
Who is thirsting for God? Why? Where is he? What is the back-story?