Torah Pearls #21 – Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)

In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35), we begin with a passionate discussion on “Tradition” vs. Scripture, which leads to the golden calf of the Exodus event.  Who was the calf supposed to represent? There follows … Continue reading →

In this episode of The Original Torah Pearls, Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35), we begin with a passionate discussion on "Tradition" vs. Scripture, which leads to the golden calf of the Exodus event. Who was the calf supposed to represent? There follows a fascinating discussion of God's appearance to Moses, and what we can learn about God from it. Finally, the trio discuss the very sensitive matter of whether or not Jewish people really do have horns.

I look forward to reading your comments!

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Transcript

Torah Pearls #21 – Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)

You are listening to The Original Torah Pearls with Nehemia Gordon, Keith Johnson, and Jono Vandor. Thank you for supporting Nehemia Gordon's Makor Hebrew Foundation. Learn more at NehemiasWall.com.

Jono: It is time for Pearls from the Torah portion with Keith Johnson and Nehemia Gordon. G’day, gentlemen.

Keith: G’day

Nehemia: G’day! Also, g’day to Julio in Miami. Thanks for listening to the program.

Jono: Julio! G’day, Julio. We don’t have a lot of Julios in Australia.

Nehemia: Don’t you?

Jono: No.

Nehemia: You probably call him Julu…

Comments

NobodyMarch 1, 2026 at 9:25 PM

Hey past past Nunya….God inside Moses made Moses shine..uhh, in the 40th yr btw…Messiah precursor type

lkorkamesApril 14, 2025 at 7:08 AM

It is true! I began to speak the name, and it turned a key within me! YHVH roí. Now my shepherd has a name! He is no longer only generally our shepherd, He is MY shepherd. Personal!

Kristen WillmarthFebruary 29, 2024 at 9:35 AM

You guys! I need more! I need discussion on 34:14 “…since Yehovah – whose very name is Jealous- is a jealous God”.

PrabhuFebruary 26, 2024 at 1:57 PM

Thank You Sirs

NunyaFebruary 26, 2024 at 6:37 AM

Hi Past-Nunya ! U shudda explained the “but My sabbaths you shall keep”…Yes! Rabbis nailed it, it’s contrasting making the tabernacle so “Kindle no fire” is just that, Kindle no furnace to melt down n create all this gold, silver, brass for this tabernacle I’m about to tell u about. Otherwise u get ppl leaving their lights off for Sabbath.

Louis KorkamesMarch 19, 2022 at 11:47 AM

The children of Israel might have needed someone they could see, deal with face to face, and? Manipulate?!

Joerg SchmidtFebruary 19, 2022 at 5:31 AM

Why do you think that using oil aka anointing one with oil is against Torah?
“‘It shall not be poured on the flesh of a man, and MAKE NO OTHER LIKE IT, according to its composition. It is set-apart, it is set-apart to you.”
‭‭Shemoth (Exodus)‬ ‭30:32‬
Not saying that using oil is forbidden, but just saying don’t use that composition.

Nunya BizMarch 1, 2021 at 1:34 PM

40 days of “not coming against ur wives” wud drive most to nakedness…he never told the ppl to stay away from the mountain, rather he said instead, “Don’t come against your wives”…building Apis n Hathor as messenger gods in lieu of the messenger God Moses, (Ex.7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.), has the Madonna, or mother/child, abomination. Hathor was mother to Apis, messenger gods to Ptah. Sound familiar? Worshipping the mother/child ‘ways’ to God?

Klodjana KecoJune 23, 2020 at 2:43 AM

Loved the Shofar and the last reciting of Yehova’s attributes!
May Yehovah bless you!

DavidMarch 14, 2020 at 9:30 PM

No joke! Civil war in Oregon (and probably Colorado) congregations. Is KANNA (CALAMUS kjv) actually CANNABIS????
Saw a pic with Rabbi’s Kosher pot. Moderation or as some say, “pharmakia”? If respond please don’t fight. Just seek truth.

Barry SupernawMarch 13, 2020 at 11:28 PM

“My GPS is the Word of God!” AMEN Brother!

Barry SupernawMarch 13, 2020 at 11:10 PM

OK Help me out here! I’m troubled by your discussion about the anointing oil as it’s always been my understanding that as long as I didn’t use the “temple blend” it was ok to anoint people. If this is incorrect please tell me and thank you.

Dave KimbleMarch 2, 2019 at 6:28 PM

I think Jona may be on to something when he compared the unfaithful wife’s trial of drinking the curse, to the calf revelers drinking the curse. It says the Levites went ‘from door to door’ to strike down their brothers. If the sinners were stricken it would make them easily identified in their suffering in their tents; unable to put up a defense too.
‘Don’t boil a kid in its mother’s milk’ had a deeper meaning today as we studied because it dawned on us, Bless Yehovah, that it surely parallels in thought the verses about, ‘do not the meat with the blood…the life is in the blood. Likewise the milk is the life of the kid. Likewise, ‘do not take the young with their mother’ (birds).
Last point is that we are so thankful that you all talked about the commandment
reiteration of Ex.34 and how it paraphrases, ‘of those that reject me’. We were having trouble before this, this morning in study, seeing the better meaning based upon the original instruction in Ex. 20:5. Bless Yehovah for you all.

Dave KimbleMarch 2, 2019 at 4:52 PM

Wow! Traditions are a burdensome thing when separated from the Truth. How can carrying a couch up and down stairs in your own home be fine; tearing T.P. in your own home prohibited? Sign of an execution stake on your forehead?!

D'vorah RasmussenFebruary 23, 2019 at 6:38 PM

I can’t express what a blessing these Torah pearls are to me. Living in a remote rural area, these discussions are my shabbos lifeline! Thank you guys so much. Todays discussion about observing Shabbat and the responsibility of those gentiles who attach themselves to Yehovah was fabulous! May Yehovah bless you and bring you to Australia soon!!

Chasity GainesFebruary 20, 2019 at 8:48 PM

These are such a deep value! I do wish they were on YouTube to make it easier to listen to.

Carvel RiderFebruary 19, 2019 at 10:57 AM

Nehemiah Johnson and Jonah thank you. These teachingsare eternal treasures for those who participate in them

JudyAugust 11, 2018 at 8:14 PM

I cannot help but wonder why YeHoVaH did not immediately strike Aaron dead for making that golden calf, when Aaron had been blessed to become the High Priest of YeHoVaH, even if it was because Moses “pushed” YeHoVah to do so when Moses begged off because of his own shortcomings in speaking. Unless, of course, YeHoVaH considered prohibiting Aaron from entering the Promised Land punishment enough. Grace upon Grace.

Luis CajigasMarch 3, 2018 at 7:21 PM

Nehemia, when Elohim in verse Exodus 32:10 said that He would make a great nation from Moshe descendants, would that have voilate His word with Abraham, or that fact that Moshe is a descendant of Abraham it would still be consider descendants of Abraham?

JaniceMarch 19, 2017 at 9:49 PM

The study of ancient NE Covenants, teaches us about renewing a covenant, it’s rituals, and writtings. Is customary to write some of the covenant on to the renewal document, showing continuation. That is to say, this is not brand new, is a continuation of the first writting.

Why in the world was Aaron in possion of a carving tool? ?? Generation curse frm when Rebecca carried in her father’s idols into Jacob’s tent? That’s what pops up, somethmes the iniquity of the father’s passes down generations and pops up in unexpected places.Since Aaron was not yet ordained.

This was sooo very good thank you gentlemen!

NANCY HORTONMarch 17, 2017 at 12:59 PM

Nehemia, what is the Jewish believe on the messiah,
I am aware that most believe the messiah has not yet come. What specifically are they looking for that has not yet been fulfilled? Also, and most importantly, do the Jewish people believe he will be God in the flesh. I.e. ( trinity) or fully flesh with the fullness of Yehovah’s
Spirit resting on him, or if something different, what? Thank you for all you are doing to educate and grow Our Father’s Kingdom!

Kevin GeorgeMarch 16, 2017 at 12:57 PM

That scripture was probably Isaiah 56.

Heather HollowayFebruary 27, 2016 at 8:10 PM

Always love hearing the Torah pearls every Shabbat. It brings life to the Scriptures for us. We love and are excited about all the new things we are learning! And if we find ourselves in a down mood, your laughs and good humor always lift our spirits. Thank you all!

Mario GrecoFebruary 23, 2016 at 9:35 AM

Hi, Nehemia:

I know this is probably out of sync with the Torah Portion for this week.

I remember that in one of your Torah Portion that Keith and you were talking about Gentiles and you had mentioned a scripture that Keith got really excited that the Gentiles are that attach themselves to the God of Israel that they will be able to choose the land they wish to dwell.

Could you please show me that scripture and if possible give me the link to the podcast of the Torah Pearl that you, Keith and Jono have done.

Thank you so much.

Shalom,
Mario

Laura OlsonJune 1, 2015 at 8:39 PM

Amen amen! about the idols.

Aron BrackeenMarch 7, 2015 at 8:05 PM

Thank you! This Torah Pearls is very insightful. While Jono’s and Kieth’s former religious affiliations were thought to be without Torah-precedent for anointing non-priest believers with oil (Hebrew author James 5:13-16), to which the Hebrew scholar Nehemia concurs–when being contrasted to Exodus 30:25 concerning the holy anointing oil–I understood Kieth’s correct description of starting in the “front of the Book ” [Torah] rather than “in the back of the Book” [‘Christian’ writings, NT]. Even though 1st-Temple period, Hebrew customs ‘in the middle of the Book’ [Tahnak] clearly show customary uses of non-holy anointing oils for medicinal purposes, I suppose the following arrangement of verses will only help those of us who “slow down” in knowing the veracity of those Hebrews in the 1st century C.E. that read Torah and would certainly take issue with the non-Torah-precedent notion about oil.

Proverbs 27:9 – Ointment and perfume
Ecc 7:1- precious ointment
Ecc 9:8 – let thy head lack no ointment
Isa 1:6 – mollified with ointment
(Further evidence of customary oil applications found in Hebrew writings: Luke 10:34; Mark 6:13; Matthew 26:7)

(See related comments on Torah Pearls 1 Kings 18)

ksl4israelMarch 7, 2015 at 7:42 PM

I listened to this teaching years ago when first taught. I am sad by the things I missed, feeling such shame realizing things I had continued doing. Because I kept listening and reading, I see that Exodus 34: 6,7 shows me Yahovahs love. Nehemia, Keith and Jona, you’ll never know the depths of appreciation I feel for your studies. You are blessing my soul and spirit with the Truth and someday I believe there will be other who will want to know. Thank you for helping me understand what the Word means and how I can apply in my life and be pleasing too Yahovah. Shalom

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