My research is focused on the interpretations of biblical texts in the contexts of ancient culture, languages, and history.
In Exodus 35 and 36, we read the stories about craftsmen Betzalel ben Uri and Ben Hur and how Hashem endowed them with his spirit, Ruach Elohim, the “breath of God,” as Torah says in Exodus 35:31. Torah says that God filled the craftsmen who created all the items...
A lecture for the freshmen class on the "Intertestamental Period" and 400 years of silence between the "Old Testament" and "New Testament." A quick overview of biblical books, what's in them, and how they are typically grouped. Then a discussion about all...
Hanukkiah is a special lamp used during Hanukkah celebrations. Though it comes in all shapes and sizes today, it was modeled on a seven-branched Menorah that once stood in Jerusalem Temple. But what did the Temple Menorah look like, and what did it seek to convey? In Talmud, we are...
A few years ago, Israeli archaeologists unearthed a beautiful and ancient stone in the city of Tiberius in Galilee. It is an impressive piece of basalt rock with an image of a seven-branched menorah. Menorah is a special temple lampstand that the Bible describes in detail. It is one of...
Psalm 1 describes two paths, two choices, and two directions that one can take in life. If you are on Hashem's path be strengthened. If you are not, wake up! Let these ancient words speak to you wherever you are. ATTENTION: To engage with media inside your email,...
In this first lecture, we delve into the intricate details of the Book of Jeremiah, looking at Chapters 1-30, and examining its structure, themes, and historical context. A systematic approach connects historical events and prophetic messages in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the text. We discuss the setting...
In his book Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins, Professor George Nickelsburg examines the historical, religious, and social contexts of Second Temple Judaism (roughly 516 BCE to 70 CE) and how they influenced early Christianity. Nickelsburg explores topics like Jewish beliefs, messianic expectations, scriptural interpretations, and apocalyptic literature, showing how these...
In Romans 11, Shaul, apostle to the gentiles, writes, “Have they [Israelites] stumbled so as to fall? Certainly not! But through their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous (παραζηλῶσαι αὐτούς; parazelosai autous).” It’s not uncommon to hear that, according to this verse,...
In Vayikra, in Leviticus 17, we encounter a number of verses about not eating blood. Some of us may cringe when we read through them. We wonder… Should it not be self-evident to most people that this is not something good? No. Apparently not. Throughout history, this has not been...