The Tanakh Podcast

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?

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. The Assyrian conquest of Thebes, and that the same fate will befall Nineveh 4. The siege of Nineveh 5. The collapse of the leadership, the economy and the military Interestingly, neither God or Israel are explicitly mentioned in this chapter.

Our chapter begins with the restoration of the fortunes of Judah and Israel. It then proceeds to portend the fall of Nineveh.

Chapter one of Nahum presents God as filled with Fury and vengeance, and predicting the demise of the Assyrian empire and its capital city Nineveh.

This chapter contains the famous lines that we recite at Tashlich on Rosh Hashanna. Music: שבק ס נופל וקם

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?

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 correct way to fight Assyria? In this podcast we relate to Rav Amital's Hesped for the 8 soldiers from Yeshivat Har Etzion who fell in the Yom Kippur War. You can see the speech at this link.

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 theology of religious tolerance.

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?

Chapter 2 presents a biting social critique of the injustices of society.