She’ol, Hades & Gehenna: Mapping the Biblical Underworld
What is She'ol? Korach's descent into the earth opens a study of the Jewish concept of the underworld, its gates, chambers, and appearances of this tradition in the New Testament.
Second Temple Judaism
24 posts
Did the Rabbis Hijack "Biblical" Judaism?
Was Rabbinic Judaism a corruption of Biblical faith, or the reason Judaism survived? Explore the Pharisees, the destruction of the Temple, and the historical roots of Rabbinic tradition, and why many have gotten this wrong.
Moses Is Preached In Every City: The Missing Key to The Jerusalem Decree
The outcome of the Jerusalem Council wasn't simply a welcome letter to the Gentiles; it was a framework for ongoing growth. And without the venue, the synagogue, the letter's guidance falls apart.
Where The Worm Won't Die: Understanding A Puzzling Saying in The Bible
What is meant by the phrase that their 'worm will not die'? In this work, we explore this puzzling phrase, its hidden meaning, and its connection to the soul's journey.
The Mystery of Wine & Wisdom: Emptying Our Vessel
A strange encounter between a Rabbi and the daughter of the Roman emperor opens the door to a deeper mystery about humility, the soul, hidden wisdom, and the meaning behind Jesus’s teaching about “new wine.”
Video: Mussar Study: Pirke Avot - Week 2
In this session, we walk through the timeless wisdom of Pirke Avot, also known as the Ethics of the Fathers.
Video: Mussar Study: Pirke Avot - Week 1
In this session, we walk through the timeless wisdom of Pirke Avot, also known as the Ethics of the Fathers.
Video: Reading Acts 10 as a Midrash on Zechariah 8:23
In a previous article, we explored how Peter’s vision was not intended to collapse the Biblical dietary laws. In this, we go deeper and look at how this story may actually be a creative Midrash on Zechariah's prophecy of the Messianic kingdom.
Jesus Within Rabbinic Debate: Understanding the Gospel Conflicts
Though traditionally perceived as a break from Jewish tradition, Jesus’s arguments with certain Pharisees were well within Rabbinic legal norms. This article explores the Jewish legal and practical frameworks behind Gospel debates and how misunderstandings have shaped centuries of Christian reading.
Video: Pharisees, Oral Torah, and the World of Jesus
What if the Pharisees weren’t the villains many were taught to hate? What if they served an important position in Jewish society, religious observance, and Biblical interpretative tradition that Jesus himself affirmed?
Peter's Vision: Is Acts 10 About Dietary Law?
Peter’s vision in Acts 10 is often interpreted as evidence of the nullification of the Torah’s dietary laws. Yet a closer reading reveals a different story. Further, this episode reads like a Midrash on Gentile inclusion, shaped by Biblical imagery and a distinctly Rabbinic style of storytelling.
The Way of the Chasid Rediscovering the Ancient Path of Spiritual Growth
Long before Chasidic Judaism, the Bible and the sages spoke of the chasid, one who serves the Creator with love, humility, and holy intention. In this article, we begin an exploration of this concept and examine how it may have shaped the spiritual worldview of Jesus.