Shows / YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
A short thought for each chapter/perek in Tanach for Tanach yomi/daily Bible study by Josh Blechner
Episodes
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 20 (redo to fix upload cut off): What were the Ten Commandments?
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- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 20: What were the Ten Commandments?
The Torah refers to them as Ten Commandments in chapter 34, but where do the ten break up? The verses are as follows: The Torah breaks after verse 6, 7, 11…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 19: Where was Moshe?
The drama builds in chapter 19 to the giving of the Ten Commandments. In the attached picture from 17th-century Dutch artist Ferdinand Bol, Moshe descends the…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 18: What Did Yitro Hear?
“Yitro priest of Midian, Moshe’s father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, God’s people, how God had brought Israel out from Egypt”…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 17: Who was Amalek?
Chapter 17 has the first encounter with the sworn enemy of the Israelites—Amalek. Where did Amalek come from? Amalek first appears in the battle between the…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 16 The First Snow Globe
“Moses said, ‘This is what God has commanded: Let one omer of it be kept throughout the ages, in order that they may see the bread that I fed you in the…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 15: Brick by Brick
Chapter 15 begins with Az Yashir, the famous song of the sea commemorating the miracle of the splitting of the sea: “Then Moshe and the Israelites sang this…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 14: The Malach of God
When the Israelites stood trapped between the sea and the Egyptian army, the Torah describes a striking shift: “The malach of Hashem, who had been going ahead…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 13: Back to the Future
With the exodus imminent, Hashem now looks to the future. Most of the mitzvot in this chapter are meant to remind the Israelites about the exodus itself. 1)…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 12: Like Diamonds in the Sky
“This month shall be for you the first of the months” הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים (Exodus 12:2). Rashi famously asks why this verse was not the first…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 11: Almost Famous
וַיִּתֵּ֧ן הֹ אֶת־חֵ֥ן הָעָ֖ם בְּעֵינֵ֣י מִצְרָ֑יִם גַּ֣ם ׀ הָאִ֣ישׁ מֹשֶׁ֗ה גָּד֤וֹל מְאֹד֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם בְּעֵינֵ֥י עַבְדֵֽי־פַרְעֹ֖ה וּבְעֵינֵ֥י…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 10 Knowing me Knowing You
Chapter ten presents a shift in the messaging of the plagues. In the introduction to the plagues, ה׳ explains to Moshe: וְיָדְעוּ מִצְרַיִם כִּי אֲנִי ה׳…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 9: Plagues of Our Lives
As the plagues continue in chapter 9, here are three further ideas as to why God chose these plagues. 1. Middah k’neged middah for Egypt’s oppression of…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 8: Natural Born Plagues
There are many interpretations as to why God picked these specific twelve plagues. One possible interpretation is that God wanted to show His mastery over…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Episode 7: Defying Gravity
Moshe is finally ready to return to Pharaoh, but God throws another wrench in Moshe’s plans. God tells Moshe that despite all of Moshe’s best efforts, Pharaoh…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 6: Let Me Reintroduce Myself
Six chapters in, God seems to start fresh: “And God spoke to Moshe and said to him, I am God. I appeared to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov as El Shakkai, but by…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 5: A Three Day Tour
God pressed Moshe to go to Egypt to demand that Pharaoh release the Israelites. Yet, instead of asking for complete freedom immediately, God instructed Moshe…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 4: First Blood
After Moshe finally relents to God’s request to travel to Egypt and confront Pharaoh, the Torah introduces a mysterious and startling episode that seems almost…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 3: I Will Be What I Will Be
Chapter three begins the dialogue between Moshe and God about returning to Egypt to save the Israelites. One day while grazing sheep, Moshe notices a bush…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 2: A Murder or a Metaphor?
“Some time after that, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his kinsfolk and witnessed their labors.” (Exodus 2:11) וַיְהִי בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם וַיִּגְדַּל…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Exodus 1: A New King for a New Book?
The book of Exodus begins with the transition from a story about a single family to a story about a nation. After Yosef saved the Egyptians from starvation at…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 50: Wrapping Up
“Then Joseph ordered the physicians in his service to embalm his father, and the physicians embalmed Israel. It required forty days, for such is the full…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 49: Mixed Metaphors
Until this point in the Torah, blessings have followed a relatively uniform pattern—typically invoking themes of fertility, prosperity, and triumph. The…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 48: Hamalach HaGoel
e “הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגֹּאֵל” encapsulates a profound theological and emotional moment in the life of Jacob, as he blesses his grandsons. This blessing, invoking…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 47: Pick 5
From the moment that Yosef revealed himself to his brothers, he had been carefully preparing for the moment they would meet with Pharaoh. Despite Yosef’s…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 46: Neck and Neck
When Yosef finally reunites with his father, the Torah describes a deeply emotional moment: “Joseph ordered his chariot and went to Goshen to meet his father…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 45: How Now Yosef's Cows
After the brothers return to tell Yaakov that Yosef is alive, Yaakov is skeptical. His doubt is only lifted when he sees the agalot—the wagons—that Yosef had…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 44 Curses!
In Bereishit chapter 31, Lavan chases after Yaakov and accuses him of stealing his idols. Yaakov responds with a bold declaration: “With whomever you find your…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
El Shakkai Returns
The famine is growing stronger, and food is running out. Yaakov—now referred to as Yisrael—asks his sons to return to Egypt for provisions. They remind him…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 42: Lock Him Up!
The brothers make their way to Egypt and do not recognize Yosef. Yosef, however, recognizes them and decides to toy with them. When the brothers reveal that…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 41: Deja Pharoah
Pharaoh dreams of seven fat sheaves of wheat and seven thin ones, and seven fat cows and seven thin ones. After awakening with agitation over the dreams, and…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 40: Yosef's Dreams Go Marching Two by Two
Throughout the Yosef story, dreams play a central role—not just as plot devices, but as spiritual milestones. There are three major dream episodes: first…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 39: Joseph the Good Luck Charm
In Bereishit 30:30, Yaakov reminds Lavan of the transformation his household underwent during Yaakov’s stay: “For the little you had before I came has…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 38: Judas Interruptus
Chapter 38 pumps the brakes on the Yosef story and instead gives Yehudah his turn in the spotlight. Yehudah’s only significant reference until this point was…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 37: Who Sold Joseph?
Yaakov favors Yosef. Yosef has his two dreams that even rankle Yaakov. Yaakov sends Yosef to spy on his brothers and then… what happens? The Andrew Lloyd…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 36: Aloof Opinions
Following the death of Avraham in Bereishit Chapter 25, the Torah lists the descendants of Yishmael and the tribal leaders that came from him: בראשית כ״ה:יב…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 35: A Different, Difficult Legacy
Avraham blazed the trail, and Yitzchak, for the most part, followed suit. Yaakov, however, began his journey differently—marked by exile, struggle, and…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Episode 34: Victim Blaming
“Now Dinah, the daughter whom Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land.” וַתֵּצֵא דִינָה בַת־לֵאָה אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה לְיַעֲקֹב…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 33: Vampire Diaries
“Esav ran togreet him. He embraced him and, falling on his neck, he kissed him; and theywept”: וַיָּרָץ עֵשָׂו לִקְרָאתוֹ וַיְחַבְּקֵהוּ וַיִּפֹּל…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 32: Lavan Everything Behind
After his treaty with Yaacov, Lavan receives a postscript at the beginning of chapter 32: וַיַּשְׁכֵּם לָבָן בַּבֹּקֶר וַיְנַשֵּׁק לְבָנָיו וְלִבְנוֹתָיו…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 31: Daughters of Mine
Now he heard the things that Lavan’s sons were saying: וַיִּשְׁמַע אֶת־דִּבְרֵי בְנֵי־לָבָן לֵאמֹר לָקַח יַעֲקֹב אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר לְאָבִינוּ וּמֵאֲשֶׁר…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 30: Lavan on the Edge
After 11 children are born, Yaacov approaches Lavan and asks to leave: וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר־יָלְדָה רָחֵל אֶת־יוֹסֵף וַיֹּאמֶר יַעֲקֹב אֶל־לָבָן שַׁלְּחֵנִי…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 29: Back to Lavan Land
Yaacov returns to the town where his grandfather’s servant made a match for his parents. As discussed in chapter 24, the commentators zero in on how evil they…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 28: Stairway to Heaven
The highlight of this chapter is Yaacov’s ladder. One interesting take on the story is attached. Jacob's Dream (El sueño de Jacob) is a 1639 oil-on-canvas…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 27: We Are Family?
Family Dynamics in Genesis 27 with Hebrew VersesChapter 27 presents more questions than it answers. Why does Yitzchak prefer Esav but Rivka Yaakov? Why does…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 26: Encountering Abimelech
Abimelech and Abraham (Genesis 20–21)Abimelech’s first encounter with Abraham is marked by tension and confrontation. Abraham, fearing for his life, tells…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 25: Poor Choices
“And Esav disdained the birthright.” וַיִּבֶז עֵשָׂו אֶת־הַבְּכֹרָה׃ (Bereishit 25:34) The word "וַיִּבֶז" (vayivez)—“he disdained”—is rare in Tanach. It…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 24: Intro to Lavan: Not So Black and White
Embedded in this long and repetitive chapter is our first introduction to Lavan, Rivka’s brother. While Lavan plays a much more central role in the Yaakov…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 23: They Might be Giants: Chevron (Not Kiryat-arba)
“Sarah died in Kiriath-arba—Chevron—in the land of Canaan; and Abraham proceeded to mourn for Sarah.” וַתָּ֤מָת שָׂרָה֙ בְּקִרְיַ֣ת אַרְבַּ֔ע הִ֖וא חֶבְר֑וֹן…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 22: Here I Am Once Again
Chapter 22 opens with Hashem’s emotional command: וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו הָאֱלֹקִים: קַח נָא אֶת־בִּנְךָ אֶת־יְחִידְךָ אֲשֶׁר אָהַבְתָּ אֶת־יִצְחָק וְלֶךְ־לְךָ…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 21: No Laughing Matter
In chapter 17, ה׳ tells Abraham he will have a son: וַיִּפֹּ֥ל אַבְרָהָ֖ם עַל־פָּנָ֑יו וַיִּצְחָ֗ק וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ בְּלִבּ֔וֹ הַלְּבֶ֥ן מֵאָ֖ה שָׁנָ֣ה יִוָּלֵ֑ד…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 20: Sister Act II
Once again, as in chapter 12, Avraham hides the fact that Sarah is his wife. This time, he tells Avimelech, king of the southern city-state of Gerer, that…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 19: A Lot of Doors
Chapter 19 is the rare chapter of the Torah where a main character is not the star. This is Lot’s chapter. Until this point, Lot has been mostly passive. He…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 18: A Lot to Lose
We begin chapter 18 with the famous story of the three messengers. One of them tells Avraham that he will return in one year and Sarah will have a child…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 17: A New Name for God
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Eternal One appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am El Shaddai. Walk before Me and be blameless.’” Hebrew: _וַיְהִי…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 16: Call Him Ishmael
Why does Sarai initially urge Abram to cohabit with Hagar, only to regret it later? Why is Hagar’s Egyptian identity emphasized? Why does Sarai blame Abram for…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 15: Where There's Smoke...
In the previous chapter, Abram saved Lot, but he does not reunite with Lot. After securing his nephew’s freedom, Abram returns without Lot, removing himself…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 14: Who was Malkitzedek?
In בראשית פרק י״ד, after אברם’s victory over the coalition ofkings, we read: וּמַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק מֶלֶךְ שָׁלֵם הוֹצִיא לֶחֶם וָיָיִןוְהוּא כֹהֵן לְאֵל עֶלְיוֹן׃…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 13: Lots of Trouble
After Abram’s departure from Egypt, the Torah tells us: וַיַּעַל־אַבְרָם מִמִּצְרַיִם הוּא וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ וְלוֹט עִמּוֹ הַנֶּגְבָה׃ "And Abram…
- YINR 929: Tanach Yomi
Genesis 12: Lech Lecha to the Land that I Will Show You
Genesis chapter 12 begins with one of the most iconic and transformative verses in the Torah: “לֶךְ־לְךָ מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ וּמִבֵּית אָבִיךָ…