The Tanakh Podcast

Chapter 24 takes place on the 10 of Tevet - the day that the Babylonians besiege Jerusalem. 1. Ezekiel prophesizes about the "pot and the meat" and warns the people that Jerusalem will not protect or defend them; instead they will be stewed inside the city as the siege begins to bite. 2. Yechezkel's own wife dies and the prophet is instructed to refrain from mourning rituals. This represents the fact that people will not have the luxury of mourning loved-ones once the Hurban arrives. There is no time to mourn in the panic and pandemonium of the national collapse.

Jerusalem and Samaria are depicted as two sisters - unfaithful to their husband and rampantly promiscuous. Their punishment is the consequence of their infidelity. This chapter is violent, shocking and brutal and hard to read. We discuss the history of the metaphor of Jerusalem as a woman, and we look at the use of the theme of promiscuity as reflecting the sin of idolatry

This chapter is a sordid inventory of Jerusalem's sins. Music: Hadag Nachash - "Ir Ha-Elohim - City of God"

Our chapter warns about the fierce destruction that will befall Jerusalem, like a wildfire, or like an unsheathed sword. In response to this prophecy, Ezekiel is instructed to moan or groan so it seems that his entire body is broken. What is the power of a groan?

Chapter 20 is a historical review with many surprises ... details that we have not heard previously. How shall we understand this detailed chapter?

This is a dirge over three kings: One is taken in captivity to Egypt, another to Babylon; the third is like an uprooted vine. Among other things we discuss the use of the term "Nassi" as describing a king.

Do children suffer for their parents' sins or does each generation receive a clean slate, a fresh chance?

A riddle and a parable: Two Eagles. A tale of planting and uprooting. What can it all mean? In our podcast we explain the double dimension of the chapter - the parable AND the riddle. Music: Amy Winehouse - "You Know I'm No Good"

In an exceedingly harsh chapter we focus on the famous line, recited at the Seder Table and at a Brit Milah: "In your blood - Live!!" and we discuss a beautiful song by the famous Israeli songwriter, Naomi Shemer.

Yechezkel talks about a vine. He claims it has no use other than being used as firewood. Similarly Jerusalem should simply be consumed by fire; it is useless! But isn't the vine one of the most lauded plants in the Bible? We embark on a journey from Genesis to Judges, Isaiah 5, Jeremiah 2 and Psalms 80 in which we show how the vine is used as a metaphor for Israel, He sins are its "wild" or "sour grapes" and it can be abandoned but we pray for the restoration of the vine, and with it Israel's fortunes. Music Avishai Cohen: About A Tree - Oyfn Weg Shteyt A Boym (A Yiddish Lullaby)