The Tanakh Podcast

We discuss three topics in the song of Deborah:

1. The rainstorm that helped the Israelites to win the war

2. The way Deborah praises tribes that took part in the war effort and roundly critizises those who remained at home.

3. The role of women in the story, especially Yael.

Chapter 4 tells of the astounding victory of Devorah and Barak against Yavin King of Canaan and his military captain, Sisera.

Two invasions, two victories. This Chapter tells us the victories of Otniel ben Kenaz over Kushan; and Ehud Ben Gera's dazzling assassination of Eglon, King of Moav - in what might be "the perfect murder".

Our chapter describes a repetitive historical pattern" Israel serve idolatry - they get invaded - they cry out to God - they get saved.

This pattern is not random; it is Divine providence, as the nation are punished over and over for their sins. This is the reality for 300 years of history in the land of Israel.

We begin with a short introduction to the Book of Judges and then move to describe the opening chapter. Each tribe is listed by what they did NOT manage to conquer. The issue is that with Israel at times a minority in their own territorial portions, they are susceptible to the influence of idolatry. Chapter 2:1-5 warns that this idolatry will be their undoing.

For a longer introduction to Shoftim, see https://youtu.be/UifLwWJruVU

Sourcesheet https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NBsv5zkTmZRj79yfK51SdXdFADdYhE0J/view?usp=sharing

Joshua gathers the people in Shchem and asks them if they want to worship idolatry or God!

Where have we ever seen a leader giving a choice of this sort to the nation?

And it all takes place at a Temple in Shchem. IS there a Temple in Shchem? What about Shiloh?

What is the purpose of this gathering?

What does a leader want to communicate before he dies? In this chapter, Joshua reflects his master and teacher, Moses, as he renews the covenantal conditions: 

Loyalty to God and keeping His laws will bring blessing and national success; but idolatry and intermarriage will lead to national doom, destruction and Exile.

The wars are over. The two-and-a-half Tribes return to the Transjordan after their national service, and build a monumental altar on the banks of the Jordan River.

However, the Israelites Tribes in Canaan assume that these tribes have set up an alternative worship site, and have abandoned God!

They set out for war!

How will they defuse the situation? 

Why did the Priests and Levites need 48 cities spread around the country? What role did these cities serve?

This chapter allots six cities of refuge: 3 in Transjordan and 3 in Eretz Canaan.

The cities are designated for "accidental murderers", to gain protection from the "Blood Avenger" and to stand trial in a fair legal hearing.

But is the "Blood Avenger" a Jewish idea? Doesn't this vigilante system seem somewhat primitive?  

Music: Ehud Banai

Shimon's tribal portion is subsumed within the territory of Yehudah.

Why?

Is it because of Jacob's curse?

If so, why do the Tribe of Levi get an "upgrade" whereas Shimon lose their tribal independence?

Seven tribes have failed to transition to the Settlement stage. They remain in the camp of Gilgal.

Here, Joshua will compel them to move ahead and migrate to their tribal territories, to begin the work of populating the entire land of Israel.

But why does the story begin with Benjamin?

The Tribes of Joseph complain: "You haven't given us enough land"

Joshua tells them: This is your choice. Either clear the forests, or confront the enemy in the valley. The land is there; you have to make a decision which challenge that you will confront.

There are no free lunches, no miracles. If you want to possess Israel, it is an uphill struggle. This is a chapter of tough choices.

The Tribes who actively stake a claim for their tribal lands are Yehuda, Ephraim and Menashe - Yehuda and Yoseph.

In this podcast we explore the role of Yehuda and Yoseph as perennial leaders of the Jewish people, from the days of Jacob, Rachel and Leah, through the split of the kingdom (after King Solomon) to Messianic times.

As the opening verse of our chapter indicates, the tribal portions (Nechalot) were assigned by a lottery.

But let's look at Bamidbar 26:53-33 where we are instructed to calculate the tribal portions by the size of the tribal population.

Is this a calculation or a random lottery? And ... how did the tribes determine where they were to be situated geographically?

Caleb steps forward and demands the city of Hebron from Joshua.

In this chapter, we return to the Spy episode when Caleb and Joshua both returned with a good report.

But these are very different leaders.

Caleb is fierce, independent and headstrong. His leadership of the tribe of Judah will ensure that this is the first tribe to settle in their  territory.

Chapter 13 lists the tribal portions of Reuven, Gad and Menashe on the East bank of the Jordan river.

But is this land part of the land of Israel? The text of Sefer Yehoshua is somewhat ambivalent about this region, a negativity with roots in the Torah.

Chapter 12 is a victory song!

Hooray! We have defeated 31 kingdoms!

But open chapter 13. "Joshua!" says God; "There is lots more to conquer!" 

So, was it a total and comprehensive conquest or only a partial one?

This fourth campaign in Israel's military conquest is absolutely natural; no miracles at all.

But why does God instruct Joshua to destroy the chariots and hamstring the horses of the enemy? What is God teaching the Israelites?

Joshua comes to the aid of his new allies, the Gibeonites, as they are attacked by five Canaanite armies.

This provides him with a lucky opportunity to battle the enemy in the open, outside the protective walls of their cities. 

This military campaign obliterates the Canaanite enemy in the South of the country.

The Gibeonites trick the Israelites into thinking that they are from a distant locale.

Was peace an option with the Canaanite nation?

The Gibeonites clearly thought that local tribes would be slaughtered wholesale. What does the Torah say about this?

Can we learn from our mistakes? Yes we can!

In this chapter Israel successfully conquer the city of Ai, learning the lessons of their earlier defeat. 

The chapter ends with a covenantal ceremony at Sh'khem. 

If one individual sins, should everyone be culpable?

In this chapter, Achan takes from the spoils, and the entire nation suffer a military defeat!

Is there a connection between one person's action and the nation at large?

In this podcast we give an introduction to Chapter 6-12 - the war chapters.

We also discuss why everything about the Battle of Jericho is in multiples of seven. What does it mean?

Invade a country and then paralyze your entire army by circumcising them. Does it make sense? Well it does if you understand that here is the fulfillment of 400 years of Jewish history and the two foundational national covenants of Judaism. 

Why are so many elements of this chapter remeniscent of the Exodus?

It seems as if God is trying to re-stage the original Pesach, the crossing of the Sea, and elements of Mt. Sinai as well!

Why does God craft a second Exodus?

It's a miracle! To cross the Jordan River to enter Canaan, God splits the river!

But the Jordan isn't particularly wide! Why did we need a miracle?

Why does Joshua send spies? It ended pretty badly last time the Israelites sent Spies!

And as soon as they enter Jericho, they almost get caught!

Is this the worst  spying mission in history?

Or maybe not!

Joshua Chapter 1 opens with the national mobilization of the conquest of Canaan.

How will the nation get ready?

How will Joshua build his confidence?

In this chapter we will see three speeches which prime each group as they stand poised to cross the Jordan

Why was Joshua the man to succeed the great prophet Moses?

What skills made him the correct person to lead Israel into the Promised Land?

In this introductory class, we will examine Joshua's "resume" and discover what made him the perfect candidate for the job.

In this chapter we narrate Moses' final ascent, to Har Nebo, where he will see the land, restricted from entering it.

In this podcast we discuss Moshe's poignant end, having achieved so much but yet not having fully achieved all that he desired. This is an end without an ending.

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The poetry of Vezot Habracha is tough.

Today we discuss the prologue and the epilogue to Moses' blessings to the tribes. The first depicts Matan Torah, the second depicts God defeating Israel's foes and settling them safely in their land.

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Today we visit several lessons from this song, this poem.

One of our questions is whether there is a divine promise that the Jewish people will never be destroyed. And if so, why?

Wen was the Torah written down?

Most people probably would suggest that it happened at Mount Sinai.

We shall offer a different approach.

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https://patreon.com/u51407457

Our chapter is characterized by a sevenfold usage of the word Lashuv - to return. Indeed, it narrates a tale of national return, restoration and redemption. But what are the ingredients of that restoration?

Here we have yet another ceremony of covenantal commitment, but the emphasis here is on the way that the whole nation is interconnected, the notion of "klal yisrael" linking every Jew together throughout the generations.

This is possibly the most terrifying chapter of Torah, describing and predicting the horrific persecution that the Jewish people will endure if they abandon the covenant. And it has all come true! But we will salvage some hope from this chapter with the assistance of the Klausenberger Rebbe.

Moses is instructed to choreograph a covenantal ceremony that will be performed upon entry to the land of Canaan.

This ceremony bears a striking resemblance to the events 40 years earlier at Sinai.

We already have the Torah. Why perform a new commitment ceremony?

Is the Bikkurim Declaration about fruit? Why does it tell the short-version of Jewish history? Why do we use it as the basis of the Haggadah?

Today we discuss:

1. the mitzva of ensuring that weights and measures are honest and accurate.

2. The notion of Yibum and perpetuating the name of the dead.