My research is focused on the interpretations of biblical texts in the contexts of ancient culture, languages, and history.
Psalms are ancient Jewish poetry, composed in classical Hebrew, yet somehow, these ancient songs, even in translation, still move people all over the world. Psalm 24 anticipates the King of Glory (mekekh hakavod, מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד), who would bring salvation to Israel. The words of this...
As an educator, I experiment with different types of teaching. Most often, in my videos, I present all sorts of academic, historical, biblical, and religious information in classroom lecture format. Periodically, I also lead spiritual discussions, which are educational, but they are meant to be a learning of a different...
When Jews celebrate Passover today, the festive tables feature a special plate with traditional foods tased during the celebration. There are bitter herbs of several kinds to remember the bitterness of slavery in Egypt (Num 9:11). There is also a lamb bone to remember the sacrifice that was offered...
No doubt you have heard about the famed water source of ancient Jerusalem called Siloam. When someone hears Siloam, they immediately go to John’s gospel (Ch 9), and the story of Jesus healing a man born blind. Yes, that amazing miracle happened at this unique pool in Jerusalem. In...
The New Testament records that some Jewish followers of Jesus from Cyrene were responsible for the first Gentile converts in Antioch (Acts 11:19-21). Indeed, the Jewish inhabitants of Cyrene were fully engaged in world affairs and closely connected to Jerusalem and other Jewish communities throughout the Mediterranean. Yet, sadly,...
A remarkable Jewish book came out of Egypt in the second century BCE. It's an impressive collection of Proverbs-like teachings of a Jew named Yeshua, son of Eleazar, son of Sira. The book's prologue tells us that a grandson found his grandfather's teachings and...
Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel (Gen 35:24), is a vibrant character in the Hebrew Bible. We know that God is with Joseph through the ups and downs of his life, but we do not always notice the significance that the Bible assigns to his name. We identify...
Bamidbar (במדבר) means "in the wilderness." It is not just a place but a metaphor for the inner journey, where, in the silence, you can hear the still, small voice of wisdom and discover clarity. As the golden dunes, rocky outcrops, and ancient ruins unfold before your eyes,...
Human memory can fail, but in the Torah, it’s God who renews his covenant. In Deut 29:12, Hashem speaks about the need to establish his people as a people. It says, leman haqim otkha hayom “to establish you today.” God promised the patriarchs to produce a people, a...