A Hidden Message in Genesis 2: The Formation of Humankind
Hidden in the Book of Genesis is a hint about the creation of humankind and our purpose on Earth. But you need to look at the Hebrew, as you won't find it in the English, Greek, or Latin.
Torah
104 posts
Insights from the Torah, which includes Rabbinic literature and other sources
Old Earth, Young Earth, or Both?
Many modern Bible readers approach the opening text of Genesis with a bias towards a Young Earth or Old Earth. Which side is right?
The Nations on Trial: Rosh Hashanah and the Divine Council
A close reading of the Book of Job provides an overlooked connection between the nations, judgment, and the fall holidays of the Bible.
Featured
Athens to Jerusalem: Four Shifts for Learning the Bible
Truly understanding the Bible means closing knowledge gaps most readers don't know exist. Going deeper isn't about acquiring more information; it's more like a complete change of operating system. Four shifts in thinking will help one begin the journey from Athens to Jerusalem.
Was Pinchas Reincarnated into Elijah?
After Aaron's grandson killed two people engaged in sin, he was rewarded with a covenant of peace. Tradition says he later became the Prophet Elijah, and the New Testament seems to affirm this idea. Let's retrace this idea, beginning with the story of Pinchas.
The Story of Dama ben Netinah
Who was Dama ben Netinah? Explore the famous Talmudic story of the Gentile merchant who refused a fortune to honor his father, the reward of the Red Heifer, and the deeper rabbinic symbolism behind his life.
One Day, One-Thousand Years
The seven-day week is not only a rhythm of work and rest. In the Talmud, the Zohar, and the Apostolic writings, it is a scale model of the entire arc of time.
Featured
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.
The Deep Connection Between Chinese Medicine and Tefillin
If we examine where the knots and wrappings are placed from a TCM point of view, it appears that the tefillin and wraps form a potent acupuncture point formula aimed at elevating the spirit and clearing the mind.
The Power to Bind and Loose Assur and Mutar in Jewish Law
In this article, we continue to look at the legal context of New Testament saying. We will explore "binding and loosing," their role in legal rule-making, and how these terms have been misinterpreted through time.
Video: Passover, a Festival of Freedom | Part 1
In this session, we look at some of the deeper insights in the Exodus story, from the Egyptian beliefs of the afterlife, how the plagues undermined specific Egyptian gods, and some key insights about the holiday of Pesach.
Aaru & The Field of Reeds Reversal: Egypt’s Afterlife Symbol in the Exodus Story
In Egyptian belief, the soul’s final paradise was called Aaru, which means “Reeds.” But in the Exodus story, the "Sea of Reeds" becomes the place where Pharaoh’s army is swallowed, an ironic reversal of Egypt’s vision of the eternal.
The Hardening of Pharoah's Heart and the Egyptian Heart-Weighing Ceremony
Ancient Egyptians believed the soul was judged by the weight of the heart, and the Torah uses similar language for Pharaoh. Coincidence? Did God harden Pharaoh's heart, or, as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks suggests, is there another story in the text that modern readers have missed?
Esther, and the Art of Concealment
The book of Esther is truly fascinating, though its brilliance can easily elude us. Perhaps this is why the thematic thread running throughout the book can be summed up in the word "concealment".
Lost Civilizations: Exploring the World Before Adam
What if the story of creation in Genesis isn’t the beginning, but a continuation? In this article, we explore the Rabbinic tradition on lost generations and earlier civilizations that may have existed before Adam.
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.
Featured
Hastening Messiah | A Conversation with Efraim Palvanov
Efraim Palvanov is an author, teacher, and speaker who blends deep Jewish tradition with his background in science. He is savvy, with degrees in biology and education, and even served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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?
Replacement Theology and the Test In Our Time
In our time, the world is being tested. The prophets speak of a time when the nations will turn against Israel, and if you read ahead, it does not end well for them. This was largely the case in Europe in the 1930's and this test has emerged once again in our time.
eBook Available | Rabbinic Metaphors and Symbolism
I've recently made an eBook that contains the most common metaphors, symbolism, and numbers that are found in the Rabbinic literature and Midrash.
The Children of the East: The Connection Between Eastern Religions and Abraham
Are all religions connected to an original source? In this article, we explore the surprising parallels between Jewish and Eastern traditions, the surprising path to redemption, and Abraham’s lasting legacy.
The Merit of the Righteous. Abraham, Sodom, and the Scales of Justice
Can a few good people bring salvation to others? For some, salvation is solely the work of Messiah, but the Torah teaches us something different - an empowering lesson of quiet faith.
Nephilim, Azazel, and the Backstory of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Behind Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur lies a hidden tradition of the Nephilim, the angels who fell, the giants who corrupted the earth, and the restoration of creation that shapes the meaning of the High Holy Days.
Video: The Journey of the Soul | Week 1 - Before Life on Earth
In this exploration, we're seeking to understand the journey of the soul, before, during, and after life on Earth, examining what the tradition has to say, alongside science, and personal accounts. We'll learn about soul groups, personal and collective missions, the purpose of struggle, and more.