The Tanakh Podcast
Alex Israel
Study Tanakh with Rav Alex Israel.
10 mins a day.
One chapter a day.
929 schedule.
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To donate, see
https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael
https://patreon.com/u51407457
10 mins a day.
One chapter a day.
929 schedule.
---
To donate, see
https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael
https://patreon.com/u51407457
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 31, 2025 • 18min
#91 | Shemot ch.40 - God's Presence
Shemot ends with the assembly of all the constituent parts of the Mishkan and God's "glory-Kavod" resting within the Mishkan.We spend todays podcast discussing the structure of Shemot according to two systems - that of Ramban and that of Rashi. They each teach different messages about the spiritual thrust of the book.
Dec 30, 2025 • 13min
#90 | Shemot ch.39 - Mishkan. Creation. Shabbat.
What is the connection between the Mishkan, Creation, and Shabbat?
Dec 29, 2025 • 13min
#89 | Shemot ch.38 - The Kiyor: Purification and Sexuality
The washbasin, the kiyor, was a feature of the Mishkan.What purpose did it serve? How does Halakha reflect its use even today?Our chapter informs us that the kiyor was constructed from donations of women's mirrors. To what might this detail be alluding?
Dec 28, 2025 • 13min
#88 | Shemot ch.37 - Symbolism of the Aron
The Ark sits at the epicenter of the MishkanWhat does it symbolize?In fact it is not just one of the Temple vessels but two parts that have a dynamic relationship between them.
Dec 27, 2025 • 15min
#87 | Shemot ch.36 - The Curious Case of the Acacia Tree
The boards of the Mishkan are pretty large; too large to be constructed from the Acacia trees in the Sinai desert! So where did the timber come from?
Dec 24, 2025 • 18min
#86 | Shemot ch.35 - Does the Torah like Repetition?
The details of the Tabernacle are repeated over and over in chapter 35-40. Why? We have a tradition that the Torah is highly economical with its language, but these chapters seem to contradict that assumption. Why the detailed recapitualations?
Dec 23, 2025 • 12min
#85 | Shemot ch.34 - The Second Tablets
Are the second tablets the same as the first?On the one hand - yes! They are a renewal of the covenant!And yet, the rabbis saw an innovation here that was critical to the work of human application and interpretation.
Dec 22, 2025 • 16min
#84 | Shemot ch.33 - Arguing for Mercy
After the great sin of the Golden Calf. How are God and Israel to move on together?In this chapter we see:1. Israel expressing remorse2. Moses arguing with God to eek out a mechanism whereby God might coexist with a sinful nation.
Dec 21, 2025 • 18min
#83 | Shemot ch.32 - Golden Calf
Our chapter tells the story of the Golden Calf.Did the Israelites, who heard God speak from heaven, genuinely think that they could exchange God with an image of a calf that they had constructed? How did they fall so swiftly into idolatry?
Dec 20, 2025 • 16min
#82 | Shemot ch.31 - The Sanctity of Art and Creativity
Our chapter introduces the artisans of the Mishkan - Betzalel and Oholiav - and this gives us the opportunity to explore Judaism's attitude to art.
