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
Trei Assar: Haggai ch.1 - To Build or Not to Build?
Trei Assar: Zephaniah ch.3 - One Language
From the day of destruction to the day of jubilation, Tzephaniah charts the process whereby Jerusalem will be purged of its evil elements and will return in joy and safety to God's protection and ser…
Trei Assar: Zephaniah ch.2 - Set a Personal Example
We focus on the difficult phrase which opens ch.2 and the moral lessons that we can learn from it.
Trei Assar: Zephaniah ch.1 - Judgment Day
Zephania predicts a terrifying apocalypse that will be visited upon Jerusalem
Music: Noga Erez
Trei Assar: Habakkuk ch.3 - Prayer
Here is Habakkuk's prayer.
Is he continuing to challenge God or has he submitted?
As we will see his prayer calls on Jewish history and askes God: "In anger; recall Your compassion!"
Trei Assar: Habakkuk ch.2 - Wait for It!
What does God answer Habakkuk's protest about the prevalence of evil in the world? This answer becomes the basis of one of the most famous pronouncements in Judaism.
Trei Assar: Habakkuk ch.1 - Holy Protest!
Habbakuk opens his book asking God how it can be that "the evil surround the righteous - that is why Torah is weakened!" How can God allow evil and bloodshed to gain the upper hand in our world?
Trei Assar: Nahum ch.3 - Justice not Vengeance
Chapter 3 describes:
1. Nineveh as the City of Blood
2. Her promiscuity and witchcraft - possibly a reference to her idolatrous culture, or to he double-dealing in international relations (Radak)
3. …
Trei Assar: Nahum ch.2 - The Fall of Nineveh
Our chapter begins with the restoration of the fortunes of Judah and Israel.
It then proceeds to portend the fall of Nineveh.
Trei Assar: Nahum ch.1 - Retribution
Trei Assar: Micah ch.7 - Falling Down. Rising Up
This chapter contains the famous lines that we recite at Tashlich on Rosh Hashanna.
Music: שבק ס נופל וקם
Trei Assar: Micah ch.6 - Walking Humbly with God
God says that he has an argument with the people! What is it?
What's the connection with the Exodus, with Bilaam, and with Sacrifices?
Trei Assar: Micah ch.5 - 7 Princes and 8 Shepherds
This is another chapter about redemptive, messianic times.
But the text is at cross purposes: Will the future be one of war or peace? Why would shepherds and princes (rather than warriors) be the cor…
Trei Assar: Micah ch.4 - Judaism and Other Faiths
Chapter 4 communicates the messianic vision of a Jerusalem of lawfullness, peace and divine presence.
Today we discuss verse 5 and its messages about Judaism's independence and we articulate a theolo…
Trei Assar: Micha ch.3 - Speaking Truth to Power
Micah accuses the leadership - royalty, aristocracy, priests and prophets - of corruption.
He issues a warning that Jerusalem will be destroyed.
Did his words make an impact?
Trei Assar: Micah ch.2 - Fraudulent Desires
Chapter 2 presents a biting social critique of the injustices of society.
Trei Assar: Micah ch.1 - Lachish
Micah is the fourth of the prophets who predicted the rise of the Assyrians and the downfall of Shomron and the ravaging of Judah. Today we discuss Micah's geography, imagery, empathy, poetry, and a …
Trei Assar: Yonah ch.4 - Truth and Mercy
Yonah is furious that God has forgiven Nineveh.
Why is he so angry?
Now Yonah reveals why he ran away to Tarshish.
And God teaches him an important lesson about Justice and Mercy and what it is to be…
Trei Assar: Yonah ch.3 - Is Nineveh's Teshuva Genuine?
Yonah calls on Nineveh to repent.
They do! But are the changes that they make just a show or do they reflect a deeper process of change?
Trei Assar: Jonah ch.2 - Under the Sea
Jonah prays from the belly of the fish.
Why does it take him 3 days to pray?
What does he say in his prayer? Is he remorseful? Does he do Teshuva?