The Tanakh Podcast

In this chapter Hosea worships the nation, their priests and prophets for "zenut" - for promiscuity. Why is this phrase so central in Hosea? How was idolatry connected to degenerate sexual practices?

A short and enigmatic chapter. We will read it with the approach of the Abarbanel and Rav Kook.

Hoshea ch.2 contains several of the Bible's most sublime expressions of love. But how does Hoshea love a promiscuous wife? How does God love his wayward people, Israel?

Hosea is instructed to marry an unfaithful wife, and have children with them. What is the meaning of his marriage to a woman of this sort? What is the upshot of the names that he gives her children?

What is Trei Assar? What historical period does it cover? What are its major themes?

Chapter 48 gives us the division of the land into 12 tribal units and a 13th district for the Levites, priests, Nasi, city and Temple. The city is given a new name. With this chapter, we complete our study of Sefer Yechezkel.

In our chapter water emerges from the Temple, creating a gushing river that descends to the Dead Sea and makes it habitable. What might all this mean?

Our Chapter depicts Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and Chagim (Jewish Holidays) as opportunities for both the "Nasi" and the common people to gain access to the (outer courtyard of the) Temple, and to bow before God. On these days the Eastern (inner) gate is deliberatly opened and left open all day. Clearly a statement is being made. These days are moments of spiritual opportunity.

Ch 45 describes a national leader. What is his role? How is he different to kings we have known up to this point?

The laws of the priests, the kohanim, as mentioned in Ezekiel ch.44 are quite different from those detailed in the Torah. What shall we make of these differences?