In the 1st Century CE, many different sects attacked Jewish ideas of God and faith. How did the Sages of the Mishnah respond? Sound file to come, Download texts
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The Ten Commandments
The 10 Commandments were given by God to Moshe and are central to Jewish tradition. So why were they removed from the daily service? Sound file to come, Download text
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Shmuel I – The Rise of Monarchy – Part 1
Hannah dedicates her only son, Samuel, to serve God in the Temple. He serves Eli, the High Priest. Samuel’s righteousness is contrasted with Eli’s sons who are corrupt. (Sam I, Chps. 1-2) Download mp3
Continue ReadingShmuel I – Part 2 Missing
Unfortunately we have no audio recording of Part 2.
Continue ReadingShmuel II – Life and Death of David – Part 1
David is king. His troops go to war but he remains behind. He commits adultery with Batsheva and arranges for her husband, Uriah the Hittite, to be killed. (Sam II, Chps. 11-12) – (Note: Lecture 14 is unfortunately missing.) Download mp3
Continue ReadingShmuel I – The Rise of Monarchy – Part 3
The people want a king but Samuel is reluctant. He warns them of how a king might abuse them. The people are not dissuaded. God tells Samuel to appoint Saul as king. (Sam I, Chps. 8-9) – (Note: Lecture 2 is unfortunately missing.) Download mp3
Continue ReadingMoses in Midrash – Part 1
God speaks to Moses through a burning bush, the lowliest plant, to indicate that He is with the Jewish People in their suffering. Moses tries to decline God’s call. Download mp3 Download texts
Continue ReadingJewish Prayer – Part 1
Jewish prayer is ritualised theology and beliefs. Covers the first three blessings of the Amidah and the blessing against heretics. Download mp3
Continue ReadingJewish Prayer – Part 2
Covers the remainder of the Amidah. Are there 18 or 19 blessings in the Amidah? The historical and social importance of the final prayer for peace. Download mp3
Continue ReadingPirkei Avot – Ethics of the Fathers – Part 1
Pirkei Avot seems out of place in the Mishnah. The first chapter sets out the unbroken chain of Jewish tradition that gives the Sages the authority to interpret scripture and lead the people. Download mp3 Download text
Continue ReadingShmuel I – The Rise of Monarchy – Part 4
The anointing of Saul. He has two coronations – one for the Northern and one for the Southern Kingdom. But the story has a tragic ending. (Sam I, Chps. 10-12) Download mp3
Continue ReadingMoses in Midrash – Part 2
‘There arose a new king in Egypt who did not know Joseph.’ The new Pharaoh enslaves the Jewish people and makes their lives bitter. The Midrash reveals some of the ways in which he did this. Download mp3 Download texts
Continue ReadingJewish Prayer – Part 3
The difference between personal and communal prayer. Covers the personal meditation said after the Amidah (Elohai netzor lashoni meirah) and the Kedushah. Download mp3
Continue ReadingPirkei Avot – Ethics of the Fathers – Part 2
Story of the revival of Jewish life in the land of Israel under Ezra. The establishment of the Men of the Great Assembly. The fundamental differences between Hillel and Shammai and their respective traditions. Download mp3 Download texts
Continue ReadingAkeidah in Midrash – Part 1
Why did God test Abraham? Why did God choose this particular test? Why does Abraham not challenge God, even though he challenges God over the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah? Download mp3
Continue ReadingShmuel II – Life and Death of David – Part 2
Amnon rapes his half sister Tamar. Absalom, Tamar’s brother is furious. He bides his time and kills Amnon. David seems impotent in the light of these crimes. (Sam II, Chps. 13-14) Download mp3
Continue ReadingRut
The beautiful story of Ruth the Moabitess, who faithfully stood by her mother-in-law Naomi in times of distress. Ruth was rewarded with marriage to Boaz and being the ancestor of King David. Download mp3
Continue ReadingShmuel I – The Rise of Monarchy – Part 5
Saul and Samuel fall out. Saul disobeys God and is found to be lacking in the character needed to be God’s anointed king on earth. (Sam I, Chps. 12-13) Download mp3
Continue ReadingMoses in Midrash – Part 3
God rewards the heroic actions of the midwives in saving the lives of Jewish babies. Pharaoh’s daughter risks her life to save Moses. (Note: the beginning of the recording sounds slightly muffled.) Download mp3 Download texts
Continue ReadingJewish Prayer – Part 4
The blessings before the Shema are an assertion of Jewish faith and a polemic against Greek and Christian ideas. There are also profound messianic implications in the Shema. Download mp3
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