Shows / The Hidden Orchard Podcast
The Hidden Orchard Podcast
The Hidden Orchard Project offers a fresh look at Spirituality, the Bible, science, wellness, meditation, and a wide array of relevant topics. Each week, you’ll find a new article, with a unique perspective, combining ancient wisdom with the emerging sciences. We’ll uncover lost truths, learn new meditative techniques, and even reframe the New Testament within its 1st-century Jewish context. Sign up today, it’s free! Visit: www.thehiddenorchard.com
Episodes
The Hidden Orchard PodcastDeveloping Our Emunah in the Field
The Hebrew word for faith is Emunah, but it is more than religious optimism. Emunah helps us understand trials and challenged, and even the paradox that trials…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastTurning the Cheek Jesus's Teaching on Pacifism
Was Jesus a Pacifist? Understanding Jewish law helps uncover missing context behind his famous teaching about 'turning the other cheek." We explore why this…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastIsaac, the Lamb, and the Cross: The Akeidah Behind the Gospels
In the Midrash, Isaac is called "the lamb"; he carries his own cross, and serves as an atonement for Israel. Explore the root of many themes that find their…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastWhat Are the Noahide Laws, and are they Biblical?
Are the Noahide laws an arbitrary list of rules made up by Rabbis, or are they Biblical instructions for the world to follow? In this article, we explore them…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastUnderstanding Original Sin
The tradition of "Original Sin" presumes that all of humanity is born into moral guilt through the sin of Adam. Thus, all humans are doomed to eternal…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastA 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…
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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? Leveraging the work of Dr…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastThree Types of People: The Tzadik, the Rasha, and the Inbetweener
Jewish tradition recognizes three categories of people in the world, the Tzadik, the Rasha, and the Beinoni. From various sources, we unpack what it means to…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastThe Nations on Trial: Rosh Hashanah and the Divine Council in the Book of Job
A close reading of the Book of Job provides an overlooked connection between the nations, judgment, the Noahide laws, and the fall holidays of the Bible. Learn…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastRereading Romans 13: Did Paul Say to Obey the Government?
Paul's famous "submit to governing authorities" may not have been about Rome. Reading Romans 13 in its synagogue setting reveals a different take on who the…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastAthens 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…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastThe Seven Earths: Inner Earth in Torah, Midrash, and Zohar
What if the world beneath us is not empty? Jewish tradition describes seven inhabited earths, a portal in Hebron, and the inner Earth palace where Messiah…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastShe’ol, Hades & Gehenna: Mapping the Biblical Underworld
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…
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The Cursing of the Fig Tree as Midrash: Has Israel Been Replaced?
Learn how the Cursing of the Fig Tree, though taught as a pillar of Replacement Theology, might actually be a Midrash on two well-known prophetic passages…
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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…
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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…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastThe 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…
The Hidden Orchard PodcastProofs of Oral Torah: "Salvation is from the Jews.”
One of the most direct critiques of Replacement Theology came from Jesus himself. And while commentators have spent centuries softening his words, Jesus's…
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Was Thomas a Doubter? The Pharisees' Tradition and the Resurrection.
Thomas's refusal to believe in the resurrection without seeing Jesus's wounds is typically read as a failure of faith. But against the backdrop of rabbinic…
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When a Soul Goes Home: The Neshamah’s Journey Beyond Life
As life draws to a close, the boundary between worlds begins to thin, and loved ones who have passed may come to guide the soul home. Ancient accounts from the…
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Angels Behind the Scenes: Hidden Miracles in Esther
The story of Esther is about the hidden hand of Hashem. But hidden doesn't mean absent. Drawing on Esther Rabbah and other Midrashim, we explore how Divine…
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Soul Refinement - The Revolution of Doing Less
Drawing on the Mussar trait of Perishut (Abstinence), we explore the discipline of abstaining even from the permitted as a path to clarity, freedom, and…
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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…
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A Voice from Heaven: The Bat Kol in Rabbinic and New Testament Traditions
After the collective prophecy faded, Jewish tradition still spoke of a heavenly voice, the Bat Kol, calling out to us from above. From the Talmud to the…
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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…
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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 episode…
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The Accidental Apostle: The Story of Pseudo-Dionysius
What if one of the most influential thinkers in church history turned out to be a case of mistaken identity? We'll look at how an anonymous Neoplatonic writer…
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Eternal Punishment: Understanding “Hell” Through Rabbinic Thought
One of the most common and troubling concepts associated with the Bible has to be the idea of "eternal punishment." But when we dig through the layers of…
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The Good Shepherd and the Chanukkah Connection
Did Jesus celebrate Chanukkah? When we look closely at the elements in John, chapter 10, familiar themes from the prophets emerge, giving us a clue to the…
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Did Jesus Declare All foods Clean?
Did Jesus reject Jewish dietary laws, declaring all foods clean? In this episode, we unpack the discussion in Mark 7 to challenge the popular tradition that…
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The Living Heavens: Angels, Stars, and Biblical Cosmology
Materialistic science emptied the heavens of meaning, but Scripture and Jewish tradition insist the cosmos is alive, conscious, and populated by angelic…
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Judging Others Favorably - Understanding Dan L'kaf Zechut
There is one practice of character development that can radically transform your spiritual development, yet it may be one of the more challenging to correct…
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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…
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Render Unto Caesar: The Rabbinic Discourse on Idolatrous Coins
When Jesus said, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s,” he wasn’t only sidestepping a political trap, he tapped into a rabbinic debate on coins bearing…
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Hoshana Rabbah and the Living Water: Jesus's Teaching During Sukkot
What did Jesus mean when he mentioned the "living water" during the festival of Sukkot? What is Hoshana Rabbah? Discover how this final day of Sukkot connects…
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The Woman At the Well. John's Midrash on Ezekiel and 2 Kings
In this article, we explore John 4 through the lens of Rabbinic Midrash and its links to Ezekiel 16 and 2 Kings 17. Is the Samaritan woman a creative…
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Rosh Hashanah & the Kingdom: Uncovering the Context of the Gospel Message
When most readers of the New Testament think about biblical holidays, Passover and Shavuot usually come to mind first. In this article, we'll see how Rosh…
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Is the New Testament Antisemitic?
Is the New Testament antisemitic? Scholars like Amy Jill-Levine would argue, though it wasn't intended, the texts have been read to that conclusion. Who is to…
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Thank you and Special Announcement - Online Study Coming August 10th
Thank you! First, I want to thank everyone for their support as The Hidden Orchard Project turns 3! Online Study Opportunity Also, sign up to take part in an…
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Living Truth In A World of Lies. The Wisdom of Breslov
In this article, we explore the deeper insights into the Hebrew word for truth, Emet. With help from the Breslov tradition, we find that truth is a state of…
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Misreading the Gospels: Understanding Jesus Within Rabbinic Judaism
For nearly two thousand years, the world has viewed Jewish tradition—and especially the rabbis of the Apostolic era—through a distorted lens. This distortion…
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“Where Does the Bible Say That?” Understanding Scripture and "Inspired" Writings
“If it’s not in the Bible, it’s not authoritative.” “The rabbis rejected Jesus—why should we listen to them?” What did Paul mean when he said all scripture is…
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The Shaliach. Agency and Divine Representation in Jewish Tradition
is Jesus literally God? Can someone speak, act, forgive, heal, or even claim unity with G_D without collapsing the boundary between the human and Divine? Or Is…
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Paul’s Rule and the Conversion Controversy in 1 Corinthians
Paul's teachings are seen as a break from Judaism, but what if his ideas on Jewish and Gentile identity are not a rejection of Rabbinic thought, but deeply…
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The Death of the Firstborn. Hidden Insights in the Torah
The Death of the Firstborn is one plague that some struggle to come to terms with. Many have asked, "For what purpose did G_D kill so many innocent people?"…
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Proofs of Oral Torah: Origins of The Daniel Plan
In this episode, we'll explore a deeper insight into Daniel's dietary problems in Babylon and the origins of his solution. Did Daniel rely on the principles of…
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Exploring the Timeless Lessons of Esther and Purim
Purim, one of the most vibrant and festive holidays in the Jewish calendar, is a time of joy, reflection, and fun with the community. Embedded with historical…
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Beyond Simulation. Reexamining the Biblical Blueprint of Reality
In this article, we explore the nature of reality, looking at a few striking parallels between simulation theory, the Bible, and Jewish thought. Is it possible…
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Did Paul Openly Teach Jewish Mysticism to the Gentiles in Romans 8?
Did Paul teach the Gentiles early kabbalistic ideas about the Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshamah? If so, this may make his letters some of the earliest appearances of…
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The Four Types Of Giving According to the Kabbalah
Among the profound teachings of Rav Ashlag, we look at the four types of giving in Kabbalah. Learn how each form of giving serves as a pathway for spiritual…
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From Midrash to Manger: The Interplay of Jesus's Birth and Rabbinic Tradition
When we look closely at the birth narratives in the Gospels, we'll find these stories conform to an archetypal pattern, sharing many parallels with the…
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The Hidden Light - The Ohr HaGanuz and the Mystery of Chanukkah
Chanukkah is far more than candles and latkes—it's a radiant moment of spiritual revelation, reminding us of the hope for the Messiah and the ultimate promise…
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What Comes After Heaven? A Guide to the World of Souls and the Olam HaBa
Is heaven the soul's last stop, or is there more? In this article, we will explore the tradition behind the ideas of the Messianic era, Heaven, and the World…
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Dybuk: The Mysteries of Spiritual Possession and Evil Spirits
The dybuk—often called an evil spirit, unclean spirit, and even a ghost—represents the restless soul of a deceased individual who clings to the living, often…
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Being in the World, But Not of the World
As the temptations of modern life multiply, the spiritual decline we see in communities and spiritual leaders is a wake-up call, causing us to ask: how does…
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Salvation Part 2: Saved From Hell
In part 2 of this series, we explore the overlap of the ideas about the soul and its journey after death. Is hell eternal, and is there repentance afterlife?…
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Genesis Misunderstood: The True Meaning of 'Adam' and Humanity
Many people have read Genesis believing that Adam and Eve were simply the first two individuals who set humanity’s story into motion. This has created problems…
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The Creation Paradox: Exploring Genesis and the Origins of “GOD”
In this episode, we'll unbox common misconceptions about the Creator, and begin the exploration of a deeper, more sophisticated understanding upon which to…
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Salvation Part 1: What Does It Mean to be "Saved"?
In this short series, we will walk through a high-level history of this term, its usage in the Bible and Rabbinic tradition, and its appearance in Jewish…
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A New Season!
As we kick off another season, I want to thank you and ask for a small favor.