Passover and LeavenApril 12, 2022These days one hears much about the “Holiday” of Passover and even we Karaites refer to it often. But in the Hebrew Bible there is no such holiday! In the Tanach “Passover” is the name of a sacrifice, while the … Continue reading →Continue Reading
When was the Passover Sacrifice BroughtApril 11, 2022The Torah commands us: “In the First Month on the fourteenth day of the month, between the two evenings [Hebrew: “Bein Ha’arabayim”], is the Passover [Sacrifice] to Yehovah.” In biblical Hebrew, the word “evening” (Ayin-Resh-Bet) indicates both the “early part … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Support Team Study – Passover Letters from the Elephantine PapyriApril 1, 2022In this Support Team Study, Passover Letters from the Elephantine Papyri, Nehemia Gordon concludes his conversation with Prof. Bezalel Porten, by delving into a series of Jewish letters written in southern Egypt in the 5th century BCE. They discover that … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Hebrew Voices – Passover Special (Rebroadcast)March 30, 2022In this episode of Hebrew Voices, Passover Special, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson delve into the story of the exodus, beginning with Ex 12:21. They start off by sharing the time they personally experienced “darkness so dark, it could be … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Hebrew Voices #13 – The Truth About Christmas and TammuzDecember 19, 2021In this episode of Hebrew Voices, The Truth about Christmas and Tammuz, Bible Scholar Nehemia Gordon connects with Dr. Richard Carrier, an expert in ancient religions who reads Greek and Roman texts the way Nehemia reads ancient Hebrew. Dr. Carrier … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Hebrew Voices #103 – A Jerusalem Sukkot EncampmentSeptember 21, 2021In this episode of Hebrew Voices, A Jerusalem Sukkot Encampment, Nehemia Gordon speaks with an American couple who sparked a worldwide Sukkot-movement by pitching a tent in Jerusalem with their seven children. They share the story of their humble beginnings … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Support Team Study – The Four Fasts of ZechariahJuly 16, 2021In this Support Team Study, The Four Fasts of Zechariah, Nehemia Gordon explains that the rabbinical fast of Tisha B’av (the 9th of Av), commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in 586 BCE and 70 CE. The … Continue reading →Continue Reading
My U-Haul SukkotOctober 5, 2020One of my earliest childhood memories was Sukkot of 1976, when I was 3.5 years old. I remember sitting in the family Sukkah, looking up through the branches that formed the roof, at the clouds as they whisked across the … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Shavuot Feast of Oaths (Preview)May 17, 2020This is a special preview of Nehemia Gordon’s Support Team Study, Shavuot Feast of Oaths. In this study, Nehemia shares a life-changing experience he had in China and how that caused him to re-evaluate a 2,200 year old interpretation found in … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Hebrew Voices #38 – How Long Were the Israelites in EgyptApril 24, 2019In Hebrew Voices, How Long Were the Israelites in Egypt, Nehemia Gordon tackles the age-old conundrum of how to count 400 years. Burnice wrote: “Wow. Thank you for clarifying this.”Continue Reading
Support Team Study – Guess Who’s Coming to SederMarch 31, 2019In this Support Team Study, Guess Who’s Coming to Seder, Nehemia Gordon shares how a Passover Seder when he was eight marked his life and ministry. This Passover experience was a seed that grew and eventually opened a crack in … Continue reading →Continue Reading
The Yom Kippur Jazz SingerSeptember 25, 2017One Yom Kippur I watched a great movie, the original 1927 film The Jazz Singer. This was the first “talkie,” containing several scenes with sound, although most of it was still silent. The second “talking” scene in the movie – … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Hebrew Voices #25 – A Sober Purim in Jerusalem (Rebroadcast)March 8, 2017In this episode of Hebrew Voices, A Sober Purim in Jerusalem, Nehemia visits with Rabbi “Big” Mike Gondelman to learn about the Jewish approach to treating alcoholism. The conversation opens with profound insights into the character of the Persian King … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Traditional Karaite Matzah RecipeApril 18, 2016Karaite Jews have a unique and intriguing way of making Matzah. The recipe was provided by Shoshi Dabach of Jerusalem.Continue Reading
When is Passover?April 17, 2016This year (2016), the Biblical date for Passover (The Feast of Unleavened Bread) will begin Saturday night April 23, 2016 at sunset until Saturday night April 30 at sunset.Continue Reading
Hebrew Voices #28 – The Renewed SanhedrinApril 6, 2016In this episode of Hebrew Voices, The Renewed Sanhedrin, Nehemia Gordon chats with Professor Hillel Weiss, official spokesperson for the Jerusalem Sanhedrin. Their conversation is recorded near David’s tomb—the strategic meeting place of this Sanhedrin. They begin with an historical overview of … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Support Team Study – Aviv Barley and the Spirit of ConstantineFebruary 24, 2016In this Support Team Study, Aviv Barley and the Spirit of Constantine, Bible Scholar Nehemia Gordon shows how the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD led to a change in the observance of the Biblical Calendar for both Jews and Christians. … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Aviv Barley in the Biblical CalendarFebruary 24, 2016Biblical Leap Years The Biblical year begins with the first New Moon after the barley in Israel reaches the stage in its ripeness called Aviv. The period between one year and the next is either 12 or 13 lunar months. … Continue reading →Continue Reading
Yom Teruah 2015September 3, 2015Nehemia talks with Dev Arndt-Daniel about the upcoming new moon sighting of Yom Teruah on September 14, 2015. Will the moon be visible making Yom Teruah begin that evening or will it begin the following evening? They also talk about … Continue reading →Continue Reading