In Rus the Moavite: Loyalty and Royalty (Part 2), the episode continues with Noami and Rus’s arrival in Beis Lechem at the start of the barley harvest. The podcast explains the significance of the Omer offering and how the agricultural cycle shaped daily life. We see the poverty of Noami and Rus as they return home with nothing, prompting Rus to step forward with a plan to gather leftover grain from the fields. The laws of Leket, Shichacha, and Peah are introduced, giving deeper context to Rus’s decision to collect what was left behind for the poor.The story then shifts to the field itself, where Rus’s humility and modest behavior stand out. Her quiet dignity quickly draws attention when Boaz, a respected leader in Beis Lechem, arrives and inquires about her. After investigating her background, Boaz is impressed by Rus’s loyalty and character. Their first conversation unfolds with kindness and generosity, culminating in Boaz inviting Rus to join him for a meal—an invitation that marks the beginning of a powerful bond and the next step in Rus’s path from poverty to royalty.
00:00 - Intro and Recap
01:11 - Noami and Rus Arriving in Beis Lechem
01:36 - Understanding the Omer Harvesting and Sacrifice
10:16 - Noami and Rus arrive to their house, penniless
13:25 - Rus's plan for collecting in the field
14:34 - Understanding Leket, Shichacha, and Peah
17:13 - Rus and Collecting Leket
20:52 - Rus's Modesty
22:35 - Boaz Arrives at the Field
25:30 - Boaz investigates Rus
35:26 - Boaz Talks with Rus
46:32 - Boaz Invites Rus to Eat
In this first episode of Rus the Moavite: Loyalty and Royalty, we begin the remarkable journey of Ruth, a Moabite woman whose unwavering devotion reshaped the future of the Jewish people. The podcast opens with an overview of the Book of Ruth, placing the story during the chaotic era of the Judges. We then explore Elimelech’s controversial decision to flee Israel during a famine and settle in Moav—a choice that brings dire consequences. His premature death is followed by the marriages of his sons, Machlon and Kilyon, to Moabite women, which eventually ends in further tragedy.
The narrative shifts to Noami’s return to Israel after losing her husband and sons. In a deeply emotional moment, she urges her daughters-in-law to stay in Moav. Orpah ultimately turns back, and her path leads to an unexpected and dark legacy. Rus, on the other hand, clings to Noami with unparalleled loyalty, uttering the now-famous words of commitment. The episode concludes with Rus and Noami arriving in Israel, setting the stage for a story of redemption, faith, and the hidden roots of royalty.
00:00 – Introduction to the Story of Ruth
02:51 – When Did the Story Happen?
04:49 – Elimelech Leaves Israel During Famine
11:24 – Elimelech’s Punishment
12:07 – Machlon and Kilyon Marry Moabite Women
15:16 – Machlon and Kilyon Die
18:01 – Noami Prepares to Return to Israel
24:29 – Noami Urges Daughters-in-Law to Leave Her
29:53 – Orpah Turns Back. Her Story Explained
37:53 – Rus Clings to Noami
41:39 – Rus and Noami Arrive in Israel
This episode continues the story of Ovadiah, beginning with the showdown on Har Karmel and Ovadiah’s rise to prophecy. It explores the powerful message within the Book of Ovadiah and follows his legacy after his death, focusing on his widow's desperate attempt to repay his debts. The episode concludes with Elisha’s miraculous intervention involving oil and a reflection on the fall of King Yehoram.
00:00 - Intro
00:56 - Eliyahu Competition on Har Karmel
08:30 - Ovadiah Becomes a Prophet
15:24 - The Book of Ovadiah
24:46 - Ovadiah Passes Away
26:38 - Ovadiah's Wife and the Remaining Debt
29:27 - Elisha's Instrcutions for Ovadia's Wife
37:21 - The Miracle of the Oil
41:23 - The Fall of King Yehoram
This episode explores the life and background of Ovadiah Hanavi (Obadiah), beginning with his ancestry and early years in the shadow of the wicked Omri dynasty. It highlights Ovadiah’s quiet heroism, including hiding a hundred prophets during King Achav’s reign and borrowing money with interest to save them. The episode builds toward the dramatic moment when Ovadiah meets Eliyahu Hanavi during a time of famine and national crisis.
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Ovadiah's Ancestry
02:31 - Early Life of Ovadiah
04:45 - The Dynasty of Omri
09:39 - King Achav
14:57 - Chiyel Rebuilds Yericho
18:24 - Eliyahu Hanavi and the Famine
23:00 - The Search for Eliyahu
26:55 - Ovadiah is Promoted
30:10 - Ovadiah Hides the Prophets
34:28 - Ovadiah Borrows with Interest
36:15 - Eliyahu is Forced to End the Famine
39:10 - Ovadiah Meets Eliyahu
This episode is dedicated in loving memory of Aharon Ben Avraham
Avigail, Part 2 continues to explore the life and legacy of one of the Torah's most fascinating women. This episode examines her connection to King Dovid, tracing key events in his timeline. It also delves into the story of Naval, his betrayal of Dovid, and the judgment that follows. The narrative highlights Avigail's wisdom and decisive actions during this critical moment in Biblical history.
00:00 - Intro
00:20 - Recap
01:10 - Avigail Meets Dovid Hamelech
14:26 - Dovid Hamelech's Gratitude to Avigail
17:24 - Naval's Death
28:37 - Dovid and Avigail Get Married
30:50 - Avigail's Capture
35:47 - Kilaev, Son of Avigail
43:04 - Final Note
Avigail, Part 1 explores the life and legacy of one of the Torah's most fascinating women. This episode examines her connection to King Dovid, tracing key events in his timeline and the significance of his anointing. It also delves into the story of Naval, his betrayal of Dovid, and the judgment that follows. The narrative begins to highlight Avigail's wisdom and decisive actions during this critical moment in Biblical history.
00:00 - Intro
00:24 - Starting Questions on Avigail
01:09 - Timeline of Dovid Hamelech
01:55 - Family Tree of Yehudah
03:57 - Anointing of King Dovid
24:12 - The Secret of the Anointing
25:23 - The Passing of Shmuel Hanavi
29:36 - Who was Naval?
36:25 - Who was Avigail?
39:03 - Dovid Helps Naval
43:29 - Dovid Asks Naval for Help
48:35 - Naval's Response to Dovid
50:25 - Naval is Judged for Treason
55:16 - Avigail Finds Out
Part 2. Yoel Hanavi prophesized during one of the worst (famine and locust) disasters in Jewish History. He lived through the disaster himself and is also the author of the book of Yoel (in the Trei Asar, also known as the Minor Prophets). His book also contains some of the most fascinating prophecies about what the world will be like right before Moshiach comes.
00:00 - Intro and Recap
02:00 - Elisha Hanavi and the Assassin
05:04 - Elisha's Prophecy of the Famine's End
07:55 - The End of the Aram War
12:28 - 4 Lepers and an Empty Camp
24:34 - The End of Yoel's Famine
34:43 - Nochum, the Student of Yoel
35:45 - Yoel's Prophecies About Moshiach
40:03 - The Children of Yoel
41:11 - Yaakov Avinu and Yoel
Yoel Hanavi prophesized during one of the worst (famine and locust) disasters in Jewish History. He lived through the disaster himself and is also the author of the book of Yoel (in the Trei Asar, also known as the Minor Prophets). His book also contains some of the most fascinating prophecies about what the world will be like right before Moshiach comes.
00:00 - Intro
01:10 - Yaakov's Vision of Future Events
03:09 - A son of Shmuel Hanavi
07:56 - Yoel, the Judge after Shmuel Hanavi
16:40 - Yoel's Teshuvah
18:57 - Yoel's Warning of Locust
29:12 - Yoel's Call for Teshuvah
32:15 - The Start of the Locust
32:47 - Elisha Hanavi and the Famine
40:01 - King Yehoram's Reaction to the Famine
The final installment of the story of the life of Shimshon Hagibor, (Samson and Delilah).
00:00 - Intro
01:36 - Shimshon’s Rulership and End of Leadership
07:06 - Going Down to Azza
17:10 - Marrying Delilah and Understanding Delilah
26:20 - Plishti Officers Bribe Delilah
33:10 - Delilah Pressing for Shimshon’s Power
50:19 - Shimshon’s Blinding and Imprisonment
55:55 - Plishtim’s Celebration Followed by Shimshon’s Revenge
1:06:50 - Shimshon’s Burial and Legacy
Shimshon’s Wife Betrayal
Discussion of Shimshon’s wife is given to another man and the differing opinions on why Shimshon was angry, including betrayal and infidelity.
The Wheat Harvest & Shimshon’s Return
Shimshon returns after a year, bringing a goat to reconcile with his wife, only to discover she’s been remarried. His anger builds, setting the stage for his revenge.
Divine Providence and Timing
Exploration of how Shimshon’s timing coincides with divine providence during the wheat harvest, which amplifies the devastation he is about to unleash.
Shimshon’s Emotional Conflict
Further analysis of Shimshon’s internal conflict, his desire to take his wife back despite her betrayal, and the complexities of his decisions as guided by Hashem.
Shimshon’s Strategic Revenge
Shimshon’s calculated move to reignite conflict with the Plishtim without involving the Jewish people. The destruction of their crops is part of his wider strategy.
Justification for Shimshon’s Actions
Shimshon declares that his revenge against the Plishtim is just and that any mischief he causes is lawful due to their wrongdoings.
The Marriage Controversy
Discussion on the legality of the marriage of Shimshon’s wife to another man and how it publicly justified his vengeance against the entire Plishtim community.
Shimshon’s Foxes and Fire
Shimshon’s revenge method: setting 300 foxes with torches loose in the Plishtim fields, burning their crops, and causing financial ruin during the wheat harvest.
Plishtim’s Retaliation and Shimshon’s Response
The Plishtim investigate Shimshon’s actions, realize his power, and burn his wife and father-in-law alive to appease him. Shimshon, in response, promises greater vengeance.
The Great Slaughter: Hip and Thigh
Shimshon slaughters many Plishtim with a strange tactic, striking them “hip and thigh,” a phrase indicating a chaotic and brutal battle.
Shimshon Hides from the Plishtim
After the battle, Shimshon goes into hiding in a rock crevice, and the Plishtim gather their forces to confront him, aiming to capture him again.
Shimshon Captured and Freed
The men of Yehuda hand Shimshon over to the Plishtim, binding him with ropes. However, divine intervention allows him to break free.
Shimshon’s Victory with the Donkey Jawbone
Using a moist donkey’s jawbone, Shimshon kills 1,000 Plishtim soldiers, emphasizing the miraculous nature of his victory.
Shimshon’s Dehydration and Miraculous Revival
After the battle, Shimshon suffers severe dehydration and calls out to Hashem, who miraculously provides water, reviving him at the last moment.
The Importance of Praising Hashem
The story of Shimshon is connected to the lesson of praising Hashem in everyday life, drawing a parallel to a teaching of the Baal Shem Tov.
Shimshon Judges Israel for 20 Years
After his miraculous victories, Shimshon judges Israel for 20 years, providing protection and leadership against the Plishtim during their oppression of the Jewish people.
Dedicated Leilui nishmas:
- Abba halevi ben zusha
- Aryeh leib halevi ben yaakov
- Nachum hirsh ben efrayim
- Meir yitzchak ben avraham
00:00 - Introduction
00:29 - Shimshon’s Wife Betrayal
01:12 - The Wheat Harvest & Shimshon’s Return
02:25 - Divine Providence and Timing
03:39 - Shimshon’s Emotional Conflict
04:38 - Shimshon’s Strategic Revenge
08:56 - Justification for Shimshon’s Actions
09:57 - The Marriage Controversy
12:00 - Shimshon’s Foxes and Fire
16:26 - Plishtim’s Retaliation and Shimshon’s Response
19:43 - The Great Slaughter: Hip and Thigh
27:06 - Shimshon Hides from the Plishtim
32:02 - Shimshon Captured and Freed
37:22 - Shimshon’s Victory with the Donkey Jawbone
44:00 - Shimshon’s Dehydration and Miraculous Revival
47:14 - The Importance of Praising Hashem
58:32 - Shimshon Judges Israel for 20 Years
Rabbi Aber introduces Untold Stories of the Torah, continuing the story of Shimshon in part four. The focus is on Shimshon’s miraculous killing of a lion, and how this event, though kept secret from his parents, sets the stage for key moments in the wedding and riddle challenge.
Recap of Shimshon’s Lion Encounter
Shimshon’s encounter with the lion and later discovery of honey in its carcass becomes a central theme.
The Wedding Feast and Companions
Shimshon’s father arranges a wedding feast as was customary, and the Philistines assign Shimshon thirty companions due to his isolation.
Debate Over Wedding Feast Duration
There is a debate about whether the wedding celebration lasted seven or fourteen days.
Shimshon’s Riddle Challenge
Shimshon challenges his thirty companions with the famous riddle: Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet.
Companions Fail to Solve the Riddle
For three days, the companions are unable to solve the riddle. Desperate, they pressure Shimshon’s wife to extract the answer from him, threatening to burn her and her father’s household if she refuses.
Shimshon’s Wife Betrays Him
Shimshon’s wife, fearing for her life, pleads with Shimshon to tell her the answer. After days of her nagging, Shimshon finally reveals the solution. She immediately betrays him by telling the companions the answer.
The Companions Solve the Riddle
On the seventh day, just before sunset, the companions approach Shimshon with the solution: What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion? Realizing they cheated by coercing his wife, Shimshon angrily declares, Had you not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle.
Wedding Feasts and Timeline
Rabbi Aber discusses the various interpretations of how the wedding celebrations unfolded. Some believe the riddle was proposed during the seven pre-wedding days, while others argue it was posed after the wedding.
The Threat to Shimshon’s Wife
The class explores the deeper implications of the threat made to Shimshon’s wife by the Philistine companions, who were willing to burn her and her father’s house to the ground if she didn’t provide the answer.
Shimshon’s Suspicions
Shimshon’s cryptic accusation—Had you not plowed with my heifer—hints at a deeper suspicion of betrayal, possibly even that his wife was unfaithful to him.
The Aftermath of the Riddle
After the riddle is solved and Shimshon kills the thirty men to pay off his companions, he leaves in anger. His wife’s father, assuming the marriage is over, gives her to another man, one of Shimshon’s companions.
Shimshon’s Revenge Begins
Learning of his wife’s remarriage, Shimshon’s anger reignites, leading him to take violent revenge on the Philistines, setting the stage for his ongoing battle against them. This is one of the most famous episodes in Shimshon’s story, where his unpredictable and extreme tactics instill fear in his enemies.
Divine Providence in Shimshon’s Actions
The timing of Shimshon’s return and his violent actions align with divine providence, amplifying the devastation he unleashes on the Philistines. This becomes a recurring theme as Shimshon continues his mission to confront the Philistines.
41:30 – Shimshon’s Legacy and Ongoing Conflict
The class concludes by examining the legacy of Shimshon’s actions, which initiated a long and bloody conflict with the Philistines.
00:00 – Introduction 00:20 – Recap of Shimshon’s Lion Encounter 01:17 – The Wedding Feast and Companions 02:50 – Debate Over Wedding Feast Duration 05:25 – Shimshon’s Riddle Challenge 06:32 – Companions Fail to Solve the Riddle 07:04 – Shimshon’s Wife Betrays Him 07:40 – The Companions Solve the Riddle 11:45 – Wedding Feasts and Timeline 20:00 – The Threat to Shimshon’s Wife 21:34 – Shimshon’s Suspicions 25:00 – The Aftermath of the Riddle 34:28 – Shimshon’s Revenge Begins 36:00 – Divine Providence in Shimshon’s Actions 41:30 – Shimshon’s Legacy and Ongoing Conflict
Yaakov’s Prediction of Shimshon
Shimshon and Moshiach
Moshe’s prophecy of Shimshon
Birth of Shimshon
Meaning Behind the Name: Shimshon
Shimshon’s Ruach Hashem
What is Ruach HaKodesh?
Shimshon Sees his Wife from Timnah
And Shimshon went down…
Shimshon’s Motive
Did the Woman from Timnah convert before?
Parents Objections to Shimshon’s Marriage
The Fight with the Lion and Meeting His Wife
Returning to the Lion’s Carcass
(3213) Fall of King Sancheirev of Ashur (3228) Delegation from Babylon visits King Chizkiyahu, at the behest of Berodach Baladan (3316) King Yoshiyahu. (3319) Rise of Nevuchnezzer and Babylonian Empire, conquered Ashur. (3320) Nevuchnezzer conquers Israel. (3321) Yirmiyahu gives the official prophecy. (3327) Golus Cheresh VeHamsger. Exile of King Yechonyah (and Mordechai). (3338) Destruction of the Beis Hamikdash by Nevuchnezzer. (3364) King Evil Merodach becomes King of Babylon. (3386) King Belshazzar becomes King of Babylon. (3389) Belshatzar, calculated 70 years (45 + 23 + 2) from the Rise of his grandfather Nevuchnezzer in the year (3319), makes a feast. End of Babylonian Empire. (3390) Daniel makes a calculation of 70 years, then recalculates. (3391) Koresh calculation of 70 years. Orders rebuilding of Beis Hamikdash. (3392) Achashverosh becomes King of the Persian Empire. (3395) Achashverosh’s party and his calculation of 70 years. (3408) 70 years from destruction. Rebuilding of Beis Hamikdash by Daryovesh II son of King Achashverosh and Queen Esther.
The War of Sisra, Who was Sisrah?, The Jews who joined the Battle, The War, Sisrah and Yael, History of Yael, Chever and the Keinim, Who was Yael?, Sisrah Seeking Hiding, Killing Sisrah, Sisrah’s Mother, Shiras Devorah, Devorah after the War
Story of Devorah
Devorah was the 4th Judge of the Jewish People. 2654 - 2694. Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 of Shoftim.
The Scene in Israel at the time. King Yavin’s Rise to Power. Devorah and Barack - Marriage and Gilgulim. Devorah the Judge. Devorah’s Teshuvah Movement. Preparing for War (Who was Barak?)
The Story of Machar Chodesh. Convincing Yehonasan of the Danger. Dovid’s plan to Test King Shauls Heart Yehonasan’s Plan to Reveal the Results to Dovid The Rosh Chodesh Feast Warning Dovid of the Danger Dovid’s escape to Nov (Without Food) The Final Meeting Between Dovid and Yehonasan The War of Gilboa
Quick Summary of Events. Yenosan’s Love for Dovid Hamelech. King Shaul’s “Jealousy” of Dovid Hamelech. Yehonasan’s Defense of Dovid
Part 2 of the Story of Yehonsan (Jonathan), the Crown Prince of King Shaul.
