Tanach In Depth
Tanach In Depth is a series of shiurim (Jewish study classes) that explores portions of the Tanach in close detail. Each series blends modern academic scholarship and literary analysis with classic meforshim and Midrashim. The host also offers personal interpretations and a macro-level view of the messages and insights a given text may convey. Light pop-culture references are sprinkled throughout as a nod to attentive listeners.
Episodes
The Sabbath: Holiness in Time
Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath: Its Meaning for the Modern ManPart Two: Chapter IX - Holiness in TimeAudiobookThank you for listening. Please subscribe and consider leaving us a review to help us grow our audience.
The Sabbath: Intuitions of Eternity
Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath: Its Meaning for the Modern ManPart Two: Chapter VIII - Intuitions of EternityAudiobookThank you for listening. Please subscribe and consider leaving us a review to help us grow our audience.
The Sabbath: Eternity Utters a Day
Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath: Its Meaning for the Modern ManPart Two: Chapter VII - Eternity Utters a DayAudiobookThank you for listening. Please subscribe and consider leaving us a review to help us grow our audience.
The Sabbath: The Presence of a Day
Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath: Its Meaning for the Modern ManPart Two: Chapter VI - The Presence of a DayAudiobookThank you for listening. Please subscribe and consider leaving us a review to help us grow our audience.
The Sabbath: Thou Art One
Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath: Its Meaning for the Modern ManPart Two: Chapter V - Thou Art OneAudiobookThank you for listening. Please subscribe and consider leaving us a review to help us grow our audience.
The Sabbath : Only Heaven and Nothing Else?
Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath: Its Meaning for the Modern ManPart Two - Only Heaven and Nothing Else?AudiobookThank you for listening. Please subscribe and consider leaving us a review to help us grow our audience.
The Sabbath: Part Two - The Splendor of Space
Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath: Its Meaning for the Modern ManPart Two - The Splendor of SpaceAudiobook
Esther and the inauguration of Shlomo
NOTE: This is an AI generated podcast. The literary and textual similarities between 1 Kings 1 and the story of Esther are numerous and readily apparent. I took a basic outline of this idea and had Claude turn it into a full-blown essay. Then Notebook LM turned the essay into a podcast. What comparisons did the AI miss? What else did it get right/wrong? Thanks for listening
The Sabbath: Part One Continued: Beyond Civilization
Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath: Its Meaning for the Modern ManPart One Continued: Beyond CivilizationAudiobook
Ezekiel in Depth: Chapters 9 and 10
Yechezkel Chapters 9 & 10This week we learn of the punishment and destruction that ensued after surveying the wanton sinning in the last chapter. Chapter 10 reminds us of the Yom Kippur ceremony with more discussion of the celestial retinue. Thank you for learning with usBy subscribing and leaving an honest review it helps our channel grow.
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 11
Pirkei Avos 1:8-9We note again how much of Avot is instruction not for the common person, but for the Avot, the leaders of the people (in this case judges). Next we examine the life of Shimon ben Shetach and see how his teaching here reflects tragedy of his own personal story. Thanks for listening. Please help us grow this channel by leaving an honest review and sharing with others.
Ezekiel in Depth: Chapters 7 and 8
Yechezkel Chapters 7 & 8: Comparative Religion or Lecha Dodi bête noireWith these chapters we finally begin to understand why Hashem is so angry with the people. Yechezkel is taken on an out of body tour of the sins being perpetrated in the Beit HaMikdash. We try to explicate the various forms of idolatry that the prophet is witnessing including Tammuz and the Barsom ritual.We note how much of
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 10
Pirkei Avos 1:6-7 (⁶🤷⁷)We spotlight the strange phenomenon of Rabbi Yehoshua ben P'rachai being cited in 4-6th century magic bowls and tie this to his being the purported teacher of Yeshu who was assumed to use black magic (forces of tumah/impurity) to accomplish miraculous feats. For more on this see the links below. Next we examine the mishna of Nittai or Arbel, which may have been a veiled
Hillel and the introduction of logical justification
Note: This podcast is AI generatedThis is an audio summary based primarily on Richard Hidary's article Talmudic Topoi: The Hermeneutical Methods of Midrash and Greco-Roman Rhetoric. This podcast explores how early rabbis integrated methods also found in Greco-Roman rhetorical schools into the development of Mishnaic hermeneutics. While scholars like David Daube and R' Saul Lieberman highli
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 9
Pirkei Avot 1:5-6This week we encounter the first zugot (pairs) and learn about their lives and how their statements reflect the period in which they lived (overlapping with Hanukkah) . The statement of these sages seems to be in dialog (tension?) and represents different priorities for the leaders of the generation. We use Yose ben Yoezer's statement to shed light on an enigmatic passage in Y
TEST AI PODCAST: R' Yehoshua ben Perahia the exorcist
TEST AI PODCAST: R' Yehoshua ben Perahia the exorcistI used an AI pdf to podcast creation tool to create this recording analyzing an academic article which explores the fact that R' Yehoshua ben Perahia (of Pirkei Avot fame) is listed in 5-6 century magic Aramic bowls (sort of house amulets) as an exorcist. The source material is here. I thought the AI did a very nice job. If you are inter
Ezekiel in Depth: Chapters 5 and 6
Yechezkel Chapters 5 & 6: The Worst of the CursedWe contrast the ghoulish prophecy of punishment with the curses of Vayikra 26Thank you for learning with usBy subscribing and leaving a review it helps our channel grow.
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 8
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 8Special Chanukah Excursus: Yohanan Kohen Gadol We explore a missing link in the chain of the mesorah, John Hyrkanus of the Hasmonean family. Who was he and why is such an illustrious figure absent from the first perek of Avot? Josephus tells a compelling story to explain all of this. Thanks for listening. Please help us grow this chann
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 7
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 7“The reward of a thing well done is having done it.” - Ralph Waldo EmersonIn this episode we offer two radically different resolutions for understanding the puzzling and perhaps controversial statement of Antigonis of Sokho. And then we offer a third.Thanks for listening. Please help us grow this channel by leaving an honest review and
Advanced Bereshis for Beginners - Introduction
**RE-RELEASE**Learning Genesis in depth can feel a lot like trying to swallow the ocean. We start by setting a framework for our study, meeting some of the less-common commentaries who will help guide us such as Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Luzzato (ShaDaL), Rabbi Benno Jacob, Rabbi Moshe Dovid (Umberto) Cassuto, JPS/Nahum Sarna, Andre LaCocque and R' Yonatan (Jonathan) Grossman. We discuss discrepancie
Ezekiel in Depth: episode 5
Yechezkel Chapter 4: Ezekiel BreadMore symbolic acts in this chapter, which challenges us to understand what Ezekiel is meant to understand from these behaviors. Are they for him? For others? Both? We offer an approach that relates these strange acts to components of the service in the Bais HaMikdash which is coming to an end. Thank you for learning with usBy subscribing and leaving a review it he
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 6
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 6The controversy of Antigonis of Sokho This week we ground the transition from Shimon HaTzaddik to Antigonis historically, and read exerpts from Ben Sira which is the source for the liturgical piyyut Ma'areh Kohen. We note Antigonis is a unique character in the chain of mesorah and explore whether or not his teaching can be seen as
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 5
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 5Simon the Righteous, a thrice told tale? We round out our discussion of siyag and share Elias Bickerman's observation regarding the chain of tradition in Avot as a response to Matthew 1. We move on to the second mishna and explore several stories of Shimon HaTzaddik. Thanks for listening. Please help us grow this channel by leaving
Ezekiel in Depth: episode 4
Yechezkel Chapter 3: Shhhh, it's a trap!In this chapter the prophet is again prompted to deliver his message to a recalcitrant people. Once again he is instructed to perform symbolic acts including remaining mute, shut in his home, and bound by ropes. Thank you for learning with usBy subscribing and leaving a review it helps our channel grow.
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 4
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 4Who guards the guardians? First we note that the idea of establishing many students is a Hillel, not a Shammai, pedagogical approach. Next we examine the concept of siyag (fence, boundry) in the historical context of the 2nd century CE's various Jewish factions. We note the source for this idea seems to be Vayikra 18:30 (see Yevamo
Ezekiel in Depth: episode 3
Yechezkel Chapter 2: Eating WoeIn this chapter the prophet recovers from the overwhelming theophany of the previous chapter and is endowed with a mission whose chances for success appear bleak. We wonder why it was necessary for Ezekiel to perform this bizarre symbolic act of eating and offer an explanation tied to the first chapter of Daniel and the fruit of the tree of good and evil (please see
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 3
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 3What was received at Sinai? We return to the question of why the first Mishnah omits a mention of God as the giver of the Torah and instead focuses on the fact that the Torah was received from Sinai. We contrast this with Avot d'Rebbi Natan which does include Hashem in the process. To explain this surprising composition we note ano
Ezekiel in Depth: episode 2 - The Chariot
Excursus on Maaseh Merkava - Theophany? Mystical Experience? Mind Palace?We take a deep dive into the meaning of Ezekiel's vision of the divine transport, arguing what was envisioned was not in fact a chariot at all. We discuss some of the history related to mystical approaches to Yechezkel's prophecy and offer an alternative understanding of the vehicle in question based on the descriptio
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 2
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 2What is Mesorah? In this episode we discuss the historical context for the composition of the Mishnah. We then uncover perhaps the most profound lesson of Avot, that part of the Torah sh'Baal Peh are the new insights and innovations, not from Sinai, but created by those who are the conduit of the mesorah from one generation to the
Ezekiel in Depth: episode 1
The Work of the Divine ChariotWelcome to Sefer Yechezkel, this week we introduce the book, provide some historical background and explain why we are learning this first chapter, known as Maaseh Merkava (full disclosure, no secrets were uncovered). Thank you for learning with us
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 1
Paterfamilias: Decoding the Secrets of Mishnah Avot - episode 1What is Mishnah? Where did it come from, what is its purpose, and who wrote it? In this introductory shiur we try to look at as a stand alone work and understand it on its own terms. We challenge some of the basic assumptions about Mishnah which may have been picked up in grade school, and begin to build an argument for the geopolitica
Interesting Halacha Topics week 2
Prosthetics, Energy Healing and Psychedelics in Halacha
Questions of the Week
Each week I try to share some interesting or uncommon questions across a range of topics on various whatsapp groups, reddit threads, Facebook groups and the like. If you have answers to any of these questions please feel free to leave a comment or reply to me on x.com/isaacson
The Sabbath: Part One: A Palace in Time
Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath: Its Meaning for the Modern ManPart One: A Palace in TimeAudiobook
The Sabbath: Prologue
Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath: Its Meaning for the Modern ManPrologue: The Architecture of TimeAudiobook
Paterfamilias + Ezekiel Preview
In lieu of a shiur, here is a preview of coming attractions. We have 2 series in the works. The first, which I’m calling paterfamilias, is an exciting look at the mishna called Avot.We will be guided by Rabbi Binny Lau’s work the sages, as well as modern scholarship on the poetics and historical context necessary for reading of Mishna. The second series in an in depth look at Sefer Yechezkel, the
The Book of Samuel - The Finale - Excursus on David and Suffering
Episode 51: The Finale of Sefer ShmuelIn this episode we discuss why David retains the kingship and why Shaul didn’t. We uncover the depths of the concept of repentance and the necessity of suffering as a way to deconstruct the sinner. Finally we compare David's character arc to that of Eli and find that while David was both a king and a judge at one point, after his sin with Batsheva and Uria
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 24
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 24Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter twenty four Episode 50: The Better Angels of Our NaturePreviously on the book of Shmuel part Bet we read David’s swan song and pointed out the similarities to Chana’s song. We also met David’s mighty men and closed the previous chapter by both awkwardly omitting Yoav and pointing out that the final warrior is inte
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapters 22 & 23
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapters 22 & 23Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapters twenty two and twenty three Episode 49: David's Swan SongsPreviously on the book of Shmuel part Bet, we began the coda of the book with two perplexing stories. The first was David’s acquiescing to the killing of nearly the entire remaining family of Shaul by the Give’onim in order to end a 3 year fa
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 21
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 21Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter twenty one Episode 48: PolydactylyPreviously on the book of Shmuel part Bet: We saw the secret life of Amasa who we proposed was in fact the inside man propelling the rebellion of Sheva ben Bichri. We noted That Yoav seemed to be hunting Amasa and explained the poor handling of Amasa’s corpse as part of the fallou
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 20
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 20Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter twentyEpisode 47: The Secret Life of AmasaPreviously we saw the return of the king, where David meets again with many of the cast of characters he encountered when he had to flee before Avshalom. We spoke about his misjudgement with Mephiboshet and Tzibah and at the end we saw that David’s efforts to reunite the n
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 19
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 19Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter nineteenEpisode 46: The Return of the KingPreviously on the book of Shmuel part bet - We saw what was referred to in Shir HaShirim 7:6 as מֶלֶךְ אָסוּר בָּרְהָטִים the king held captive in the hairlocks. David’s army, and the battle location was too much for Avshalom’s troops. Yoav callously put an end to Avshalom
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 18
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 18Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter eighteenEpisode 45: One Tin SoldierPreviously on the book of Shmuel part bet - David was able to successfully flee Jerusalem thanks in no small part to the spy network he put in place and the chicanery of Chushai. Achitofel, seeing the writing on the wall, kills himself as Avshalom pursues David in the transjordan
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapters 16 & 17
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapters 16 & 17Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapters sixteen and seventeenEpisode 44: Ramble OnPreviously we saw the beginning of Avshalom’s rebellion which happened in stages, all while David sat on his hands. Then we saw David’s reaction, which was to neither confirm nor deny the new king, but rather to leave the scene. In his travels he meets a number
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 15
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 15Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter fifteenEpisode 43: Rebel RebelThis week Avshalom rebels in a not so subtle manner - this reminds us a lot of Shmuel Alef where sons did not continue the positive legacy of their fathers. Avshalom is methodical in probing and breaking down the various symbolic components of David's kingship. David immediately a
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 14
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 14Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter fourteenEpisode 42: We Won't Get Fooled AgainDavid is once again duped into adjudicating against his own behavior. Yoav seeks to return Avshalom and uses a wise woman from Tekoa to fabricate a tale of one brother who kills another accidentally in the field and is being pursued by the blood avenger. Eventually
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 13
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 13Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter thirteenEpisode 41: Polyphonic CatastropheIn chapter 13 there is a cacophony of intertextuality. References to other stories from Tanach abound, from the story of the rape of Dinah to the tragedy of Pilegesh b'Giveah, with references to the stories of Yosef and his brothers, Sodom and more. What all these inci
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 12
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 12Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter twelveEpisode 41: The AftermathIn this chapter we see the aftermath of David's sins with Batsheva and Uriah. We compare Natan's parable to the Bedouin law ofAdeyiah, and continue to drop hints at the comparison between David and Shaul. We discuss the meaning of the parable and consider who theIsh in question truly
Excursus: The David and Batsheva story
Episode 40: Excursus: The David and Batsheva storyWelcome to our excursus on the David and Batsheba story. As I tried to point out in the shiur, we are tackling a unique and uniquely challenging topic. David is perhaps from the most beloved figures in Tanakh, and I believe we are rightfully apprehensive about discussing his sins, especially when they appear to be so egregious. However, to fail to
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapters 10 & 11
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapters 10 & 11
Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapters ten and eleven
Episode 39: Into the Heart of Darkness
Welcome to Shmuel part Bet chapters 10 and 11. Don't worry this is the first of at least 2 sessions we will spend on chapter 11 and the sin of David with Batsheva.
Previously on the book of Shmuel we saw King David launch his first offensive cam
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapters 8 & 9
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapters 8& 9
Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapters eight and nine
Episode 38: David the Conqueror, David oathkeeper
In chapter 8 we kaleidoscope King David's entire military expansion. We see how recent archeological discoveries corroborate details in the text including the kingdom of Edom and King Toi/Tai(ta).
Here is a good map
Chapter 9 we meet David
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 7
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 7
Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter seven
Episode 37: 天命
In this chapter David makes an unheard of request, to build a permanent home for Hashem. Instead, he gets more than he bargained for, with God promising to build him a home, or rather a dynasty instead. We contrast this with the realia of the history of David's descendants on the throne as we
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 6b
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 6b
Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter vav, part b
Episode 36: Dance Me to the End of Love
We see the gemarah Sotah regarding the sin which triggered the catastrophe with Uzzah, which will confuse us even a bit more
We’ll try to answer what went wrong the first time and right the second
We explain why David was so forceful in his response to
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 6a
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 6a
Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter vav, part a
Episode 35: Carried Away
After having reached the zenith of his political career King David seeks to synthesize his kingship with Hashem by escorting the Ark (last seen early in Shmuel part Aleph) to his newfound capital, Jerusalem. All seemed to be going well, until tragedy struck. Death leads the d
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapters 4 & 5
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapters 4 & 5
Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapters daled and heh
Episode 34: From Cellophane to Camelot
[We begin with a rousing rendition of Mr. Cellophane (Chicago the Musical)]
Previously on the book of Shmuel (part Bet) we saw how David dealt with a very politically sensitive issue. Avner, who was essentially the puppet master behind the kingship of
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 3
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 3
Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter 3
Episode 33: If You Be Mine
Previously on the book of Shmuel (part Bet) we saw Avner emerge as a major character, being both a king maker and a king’s nephew slayer. The skill involved in his murder of Asa’el is not trifling and surprisingly redounds against him. We also saw that when kings are absent, the troo
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 2
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 2
Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter 2
Episode 32: Who Rules Who
This week David becomes king yet again (this is his second inauguration). This time, his monarchy is over his tribe, Yehuda and is immediately tested as his troops come into conflict with those of his rival Ish-Boshet, the son of Shaul and the hereditary ruler of the Jewish people. W
The (Second) Book of Samuel: chapter 1
Welcome to 2 Samuel, Shmuel part Bet, chapter 1
Episode 31: Lying and Dying
This week we transitioned from the death of Shaul to its immediate aftermath. We encounter a bizarre account of shaul's last moments told from the perspective of an outsider, an Amalekite
From a literary perspective the author wants us to recall the tragedy of the death of Eli and his sons from the beginning of Sefer sh
Away, Apart. the parting of the ways between Christianity and Judaism - Episode 3 - the finale
Welcome to part 3 of our history of halacha in Bayit Sheni series entitled Away Apart, the Parting of the Ways Between Judaism and Christianity. So far we have set the background by outlining the various groups that were around in the first few centuries of the common era and what their beliefs were. We explained what sources we had for our knowledge at the time and then honed in on Jesus’s teachi
Away, Apart. the parting of the ways between Christianity and Judaism - Episode 2
Welcome to part 2 of our series on the history of halacha entitled away, Apart, the Parting of the Ways Between Judaism and Christianity.
This week we look at a few interesting statements from Chazal regarding Christianity including the only time that the Christian testament is quoted verbatim in the gemarah, by a Taanah no less!
Then we explore whether or not a person or sects beliefs at at the
The Hosheas of Tu B'Av (re-release)
An exploration of the lesson of Tu b'Av as seen through 3 Hosheas
Away, Apart. the parting of the ways between Christianity and Judaism - Episode 1
Away, Apart: The parting of the ways between Christianity and Judaism - Episode 1
As a preface to this series I highly recommend watching Monty Python's The Life of Brian or this clip (warning: potty language!)
In this mini-series we will seek to answer 1 question which drives our whole discussion; since Christianity sprouted from Judaism, how exactly did that work from a halachic perspectiv
The Book of Samuel: chapter 31 + Siyum! (part Aleph)
The Book of Samuel: chapter 31 + Siyum
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our thirtieth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 30: Death of a Hero
This chapter concludes the tragic and heroic life of king Shaul. We touch on some of the halachic concepts around suicide, euthanasia, and notice how many elements in this chapter are reflective o
The Book of Samuel: chapter 28
The Book of Samuel: chapter 28
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our twenty-nineth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 29: Witch Way Did He Go
Shaul encounters the witch of En-Dor. We discuss whether this whole incident really happened as written and compare our chapter to the life of Chana and the events of chapter 25.
All this and more.
Away Apart: Preview
Away Apart: The Parting of the Ways Between Judaism and Christianity
Preview of coming attractions
In lieu of a new class this week I'd like to give you a sneak peek of what's in store. We will, iy"h, be completing Shmuel part Aleph shortly and my goal before we go on break and before we start part Bet is to take a brief detour to a very different, but to my mind fascinating topic,
The Book of Samuel: chapter 25 part 2
The Book of Samuel: chapter 25 part 2
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our twenty-eighth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 28: Avigail, Changes the course of Jewish History
After a brief recap we continue our exploration of chapter 25 by peeling away the layers to arrive at the heart of the story. We explain the rationale for Naval, Da
The Book of Samuel: chapter 25 part 1
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our twenty-seventh in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 27: Avigail, Kingmaker
Chapter 25 is pivotal in the course of the life of David. We try to read past the surface and detect both a Naval whose actions appear justified and a David who seems to be on the verge of turning into Shaul. Avigail's messag
The Book of Samuel: chapter 24
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our twenty-sixth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 26: The Tables have Turned
This is the first of 3 chapters where David’s enemies fall into his hands and he refrains from killing them. Chapter 24 finds David conflicted on how to deal with Shaul, whom he finds in a precarious position. David must both
The Book of Samuel: chapter 23
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our twenty-fifth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 25 The King in Waiting
The information provided by the Urim v'Tummim is unusual. In this chapter we find multiple queries and uncertainties in just how people know what they know. If David is told by the urim v'tummim that Saul will come down, a
The Book of Samuel: chapters 21 & 22
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our twenty-fourth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 24 Wherever I May Roam
In chapters 21 & 22 David goes on the lam. We follow the “refuge who would be king” to Nov and then the Plishti city of Gath wondering why David would choose this, the
worst possible location for which to flee. Luckily the ki
The Book of Samuel: chapter 20
Episode 23 Fomenting Rebellion?
Welcome to our twenty-third in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Whither Malchut
Chapter 20 brings collective amnesia as we pretend that Shaul didn’t just try to kill David. Instead David concocts an elaborate ruse to force his dear friend Yehonatan to see the truth of his father’s madness. We note paralle
The Book of Samuel: chapter 19
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our twenty-second in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 22 The betrayals
This chapter (19) begins to overtly express Shaul’s desire to kill David at the same time as those closest to Shaul including his daughter and mentor conspire to help Shaul’s enemy. We continue the motif of Shaul as Lavan and explain w
The Book of Samuel: chapter 18
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our twenty-first in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 21 - Shaul descent into the maelstrom
In this shiur we offer an explanation for why Shaul doesn’t seem to recognize David when the two had met in the previous chapter. We also attempt to understand the repetitious nature of the chapter by positing a nove
The Book of Samuel: chapter 17
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our twentieth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 20
David vs. Goliath.
In chapter 17 we experience collective amnesia as David’s anointment seems to have caused no effect on anyone. We offer an explanation for why Goliat hasn't appeared in any previous battles. We briefly site the fatuous exegesis of
The Book of Samuel: chapter 16
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our Nineteenth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 19
In chapter 16 we encounter the beginning of the transition from the kingship of Shaul to that of David. Is Shmuel’s protest against going to select a successor for Shaul to be taken serious in light of the fact that just a few short verses beforehand he
The Book of Samuel: chapter 15b
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our eighteen in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 18
We complete our study of chapter 15 with many open questions. Is Shaul able to successfully repent? Is Shmuel falling into the same trap as Eli in closing the door on returning Shaul to God’s good graces? We cite the brilliant textual clue from the mishbe
The Book of Samuel: chapter 15a
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our seventeenth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 17
We creep into some morally murky waters with chapter 15. How do we understand the biblical mitzvah to wipe out Amalek completely when it would seem the Amalekites of Shaul’s time should not be blamed for the acts of their nation hundreds of years prior
The Book of Samuel: chapter 14b
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our sixteenth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 16
We seek to plumb the depths of the exceedingly rich chapter 14 including noting how Yonatan's approach to basically everything is the inverse of Shaul. This leads us to another example of our Twice Told Tale series wherein we compare chapter 14 to th
The Book of Samuel: chapter 14a
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our Fifthteenth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 15
While we found the roots of Shaul’s heroism in chapter 13 this week we encounter a confused king who seems to be winning in spite of himself. In chapter 14 we find many surprises including Shaul’s son Yonatan who seems bent on doing everything differe
The Book of Samuel: chapter 13
Whither Malchut
Welcome to our fourteenth in a continuing series on the book of Shmuel or Samuel and the founding of Jewish monarchy.
Episode 13 – I’m not even supposed to be here today
After a deflating capstone to Shaul’s third inauguration last week, we analyze chapter 13 and find the roots of Shaul’s heroism this week. Shaul is put to an impossible test by Shmuel, essentially a Kobayashi Maru
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