The Tanakh Podcast

A lively dive into Devarim chapter 3 and the strange figure Og, King of Bashan. They compare the plain biblical text with colorful Midrashic legends about giants and epic feats. Conversation links Og to Psalms, Pesach themes, and earlier biblical giants. The show contrasts brute material power with spiritual purpose and teases symbolic meanings.

Today we begin with an Introduction to the structure of Sefer Devarim.We then proceed to an analysis of the first speech of Devarim, and its message.

A class for Erev Pesach and Devarim ch.1Devarim is called Mishneh Torah - the "review" of the Torah. But is Moshe repeating the stories and laws, or adapting them?

A deep dive into the Daughters of Tzelophchad story and the legal ripple effects their inheritance rule creates. A tribal dispute over land and marriage sparks a surprising divine restriction. Reflection on how legal solutions can spawn new problems and how religious law evolves through practical tensions.

Ch.35 describes the Levite cities.Why do Levites need special cities?And we also discuss the idea of Ir Miklat - cities of Refuge - and the law of the "blood avenger".

A lively look at biblical borders and why they still matter today. The discussion contrasts the fixed boundaries of ancient Canaan with the sweeping Nile-to-Euphrates promise. Listeners hear how two different covenants shape personal versus national territory. The chapter-by-chapter reading highlights poetic, shifting border language and connects these maps to history and settlement.

Ch.33 gives us the 42 stops in Israel's trek to the promised land.But why list each and every location?

Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuven request to remain in the Transjordan.Was their request illegitimate?Did Moses save the day or did he misunderstand their intention?That is a debate between Rashi and the Abarbanel.--To support our work, please see my Patreon or my BuymeaCoffee account.Thank you!

Israel wage war against MidyanMost of the chapter relates to the ethics of the spoils of war.Why is this such a critical topic?

Our chapter speaks about promises or vows that invoke God's name. These verbal pronouncements must be kept.But why would a person vow?And why is this topic relevant at this point in Sefer Bamidbar?And how do we deal with the status of women in this chapter?---Regarding bookings for Shabbat Scholar-in-residence, email alexisrael99@gmail.com or see https://www.alexisrael.org/scholar-in-residence