The Tanakh Podcast

Isiah uses Creation language and motifs from Genesis 1-3 to depict the redemption of Israel, expressing the idea that the restoration of the Jewish people gives new meaning and redemption to God's creation.

This chapter is an answer to the question posed by the Jewish exiles to God: "Our path has been hidden from God and our justice has been passed over." Here God returns to the biblical figure of Abraham, "My beloved", and reaffirms the special place of the Chosen People.

Chapter 40 opens the chapters of consolation after the Temple's destruction and the national exile. We compare these words of comfort with the expressions of doom and abandonment in Eikha.

In today's podcast, we examine the fraught question of whether Isaiah is one single book or two separate works conjoined. We present a series of arguments which suggest that ch.39 is the close Isaiah's prophecies, and that ch.40-66 constitute a prophetic collection communicated in a post exilic, post-Hurban world, consoling the nation, and instilling the hope of a return to land, sovereignty and national flourishing. I have been assisted in preparing this shiur by a lecture from Rav Amnon Bazak. You can listen here: https://www.hatanakh.com/es/node/22655 Music. Avishai Cohen - Emotional Storm

Hezekiah is struck by a life-threatening illness. He is told he will die. But Hezekiah appeals to God, and 15 years are added to his life. In our chpater, we gain a window into Hizkiyahu's beautiful prayer of thanks to God; a prayer which is omitted from the parallel accounts in Kings and Chronicles.

The center stage of the drama of Ch.37 is the theme of blasphemy. God is assailed by Sannecherib and God will take action to defend His name.

The Assyrians have destroyed the major cities of Judah. Now their army advances to besiege Jerusalem. Our chapter offers us the speeches of the senior Assyrian official, named here Rav-Shakeh, and his psychological intimidation of the besieged people of Jerusalem.

This is a jubilant chapter of healing, redemption and joy: The desert blooms, illness and handicap are removed (possibly a spiritual metaphor), and God redeems and returns Israel from exile.

The rivalry and antagonism between Israel (Judah) and Edom, takes us back to Yaakov and Esav. In this period violence seems to have flared between the kingdoms. The prophet's ire might be directed to Edom in particular because of the expectation that they should act in a brotherly way.

Chapter 33 is a series of interlocking themes: the downfall of our enemies, God's salvation, justice, Jerusalem, but we shall focus one final theme: the definition of human worthiness.