Podcast · Devotional & Spiritual
by Alex Israel · English · Devotional & Spiritual
Study Tanakh with Rav Alex Israel. 10 mins a day. One chapter a day. -- This podcast is designed to help you to study any sefer (book) in Tanakh - the Hebrew Bible. It will be best experienced by reading the chapter first, and then listening to the 10-15 minute commentary. The pace of the podcas
14 Oct 2026 · 10 minNew
Chapter 8 describes the festive dedication of the Temple. Our podcast discusses aspects of Solomon's magnificent prayer: 1. Does God reside in the Temple? 2. Is the Temple a Jewish institution or a universal house of prayer?
13 Oct 2026 · 9 minNew
Why are Solomon's royal buildings subsumed in the account of the Temple? Is this good news or bad news? Music: Zusha - Festival
13 Oct 2026 · 10 minNew
Why does our chapter note that we are 480 years (12x40) since the Exodus? Why is Solomon using a new system of months, never used previously (or subsequently!)? Why does Solomon create huge cherubs and attach them to the floor of the Temple? We will try to answer all these questions in our podcast today.
11 Oct 2026 · 10 min
Our chapter describes the way that Solomon develops the Kingdom of Israel to an imperial capital. Solomon controls the region, has the most powerful army, and warm relations with neighboring leaders like Hiram of Lebanon. He also begins the construction of the temple. But above all, Solomon turns Jerusalem to a center of world wisdom and technology. What is the purpose of all these achievements? Why is this critical to Solomon's game plan?
10 Oct 2026 · 10 min
On the face of it, this is a chapter about government and taxation, the organization and administration of the kingdom and its financial bouyancy. But a deeper read identifies some riveting social history behind the bare statistics, which will have ominous effect a generation on.
7 Oct 2026 · 11 min
Solomon loves God. When God asks Solomon what his deepest wish might be, it is the ability to guide and judge the nation. "Tzedek and Mishpat" is possibly Judaism's core value, and the principle of justice is the highest virtue to which a king of Israel could aspire.
6 Oct 2026 · 11 min
David instructs Solomon to ensure that both Yoav and also Shimi Ben Gera die a bloody death. Is David casting his unfinished business on Solomon? We contend that David is in fact warning a young an untested Solomon that enemies are waiting, plotting his downfall after King David's death. He instructs him to "be strong and be a man" or else, he will soon find the throne taken from him.
5 Oct 2026 · 11 min
Chapter 1 gives us a conmpetition to succeed King David. Who will be king - Adoniya or Solomon?
4 Oct 2026 · 9 min
The final chapter of Samuel gives us yet another sin of David, and another admission of guilt! And a story resonant of the Akeida. What does it all mean?
3 Oct 2026 · 9 min
This chapter gives us David's final song - "The spirit of God spoke through me" - and David's dauntless thirty-seven warriors. Who is David - the man of war or the man of God?
30 Sep 2026 · 9 min
David's Song "on the day God saved David from all his enemies and the hands of Saul." This would appear to be a song from an earlier period in David's life. Why is it here? How does this song relate to the other two songs in the book of Samuel: Channah's song (or prayer) and David's eulogy for saul? How does the theology of this song relate to the trials and tribulations of David's life? Music. Yonatan Razel: "David"
29 Sep 2026 · 10 min
An ancient unrequited sin leads to a 3 year drought. David Seeks God; God points to the Gibeonites who were slaughtered by King Saul. Now they demand that David hand over 7 of Saul's descendents. They want Revenge. May David comply? Will David comply? Can a child be killed for his father's sin?
28 Sep 2026 · 11 min
David finds himself with another revolt on his hands. He tries to avoid having Yoav - the man who killed his son Avshalom - lead the army. First, he appoints Amassa, but Amassa disappoints. Second he appoints Avishai. But Avishai defers to his older brother Yoav. In the end it is Yoav who puts down the revolt. Yoav is depicted here as a complex character. He is open to the moral call of the "wise woman" who stops his plans of collective punishment, but he murders Amassa - an act which David resents.
27 Sep 2026 · 11 min
Avshalom is dead. The rebellion is over. Or is it? The instability continues as the tribes of Judah and Benjamin vie for prestige of leading David back to Jerusalem and tribal tensions flare leading to further volatility.
26 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Today we discuss David's conflict of interests and his mixed messages when his army has to face down the forces led by Avshalom. David instructs Yoav not to kill Avshalom, whereas Yoav instructs the army to kill Avshalom. Who was correct?
23 Sep 2026 · 11 min
Today we discuss two advisors: Achitophel and Hushai. Achitophel seems to be the man who's views are always correct, whose perspective is always wise and insightful. However in our story Avshalom follows Hushai's counsel and rejects Achitophel. We shall propose that Achitophel has a burning personal agenda that skews his thinking.
22 Sep 2026 · 12 min
The mutiny continues. Our chapter contains four scenes, four encounters: Two as David flees Jerusalem; two as Avshalom enters the city.
21 Sep 2026 · 12 min
Avshalom is back in Jerusalem. He wastes no time at boosting his popularity and discrediting his father, King David. Soon after, he asks for permission to sacrifice in Hebron, the city in which David was crowned, and he launches a mutiny against his father. David and his close circle abandon the city, preferring to flee rather than thrust Jerusalem into war and bloodshed. We will examine David's state of mind before and during this tragic and challenging moment.
19 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Avshalom is in exile. But David is pining for him. Yoav orchestrates his return to Jerusalem, and then Avshalom forces his way back, using Yoav, to high society. In this chapter we witness David as a conflicted person, conflicted between his values and his parental love. We also observe Avshalom's fierce resolve, a perseverance which will become dangerous in the upcoming chapters.
19 Sep 2026 · 12 min
David's son Amnon conspires and brutally rapes his own half sister, Tamar. Then, two years later, Tamar's brother Avshalom murders Amnon. We will show that way that the style of this horrific story brings us to see this as punishment for David's crimes. --- See my youtube videos for the High Holidays alexisrael.org/focus Subscribe to my video Whatsapp alexisrael.org/whatsapp
16 Sep 2026 · 12 min
The prophet comes to David and accuses David of murder and adultery and pronounces David's punishment. David admits his sin. Batsheva's child dies.
15 Sep 2026 · 13 min
In the stories of David there is no sin greater than David's adultery and murder in this chapter. We shall see how sin leads to complication and complication to further sin as David is tempted to use his royal power to cover his own misdeeds.
14 Sep 2026 · 8 min
David sends a diplomatic delegation to console the ammonite king Hannun after the death of his father. However Hannun humiliates David's officials. This is in essence a declaration of war against Israel as Ammon rally an entire alliance of forces to fight David's army. Yoav and his brother Avishai show their phenomenal military prowess in their management of the battle.
13 Sep 2026 · 13 min
David decides to show his kindness and loyalty to the House of Shaul. He seeks out any remaining descendants and discovers that Mefiboshet, Yonatan's son, a handicapped man, is still alive. Through the story we meet Tziva, the caretaker of Saul's estate, who has essentially assumed control over the assets of the former king. David honours Mefiboshet by having him eat at the royal table, and he instructs Tziva to serve his master Mefiboshet. (However with Mefiboshet in Jerusalem and Tziva handling Saul's estate, the potential for indiscretion will be great. We will meet Tziva and Mefiboshet…
10 Sep 2026 · 11 min
David fights on every front: Philistines, Moav, Aram, Edom, Amalek, Amon, and succeeds in growing the kingdom to a veritable empire. The chapter ends with David's growing national administration. Our discussion will focus upon the military force that David is using and its justification.
9 Sep 2026 · 8 min
David requests to build the Temple. God says no. Why? Is it because he has blood on his hands? Our chapter offers a different reason. -- Whatsapp group - alexisrael.org/whatsapp All videos - alexisrael.org/focus
8 Sep 2026 · 10 min
David has captured Jerusalem. But how does he bring God to the city? By making a home for the Aron - the Ark of God - in Jerusalem. But a terrible accident happens as the procession makes its way - the Ark slips and Uzzah tries to save it but is killed. What is David going to do to repair the situation? And how does this relate to the argument between David and his wife, Michal bat Shaul?
7 Sep 2026 · 9 min
In this chapter David becomes King over the entire nation and immediately sets to create a new capital city - Jerusalem. The entire chapter depicts the way that David solidifies and stabilizes his position as monarch. Why Jerusalem? How was it captured? -- For High Holiday content, see alexisrael.org/focus For the (silent) whatsapp group see alexisrael.org/whatsapp
6 Sep 2026 · 13 min
Two officers of Ish-Boshet's army come into his house and murder him in broad daylight. What do they wish to achieve? What is their motivation? In this, the third of the assassination stories, we hear yet again how David does not want to rise to the throne over the death of his political rivals. we also address two other topics: 1. Ish-Boshet's strange name. And 2. The story of the tribes of Be'erot. -- To join our whatsapp group with content for the Yamim Noraim, please go to alexisrael.org/whatsapp
5 Sep 2026 · 12 min
Avner argues with the King, Ish-Boshet, and as he realizes that the northern faction led by Sauls' son, is weakening, he decides to capitalize on the moment and create a coalition with King David. However Yoav, David's general, has a vendetta with Avner (Avner had killed Yoav's brother) and he murders Avner. Now the peace deal is severely jeopardized. Will David manage to salvage the peace and reunite the kingdom under his rule?
Study Tanakh with Rav Alex Israel. 10 mins a day. One chapter a day. -- This podcast is designed to help you to study any sefer (book) in Tanakh - the Hebrew Bible. It will be best experienced by reading the chapter first, and then listening to the 10-15 minute commentary. The pace of the podcas
The Tanakh Podcast is a English devotional & spiritual podcast from Alex Israel. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
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