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Hosea Chapter 2 Wed, Sep 10, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 40:29 |
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The Door of Hope
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
G-d told Hoshea that the Jews would be as numerous as the sands of the sea and instead of "not My nation," they will be called "the children of the living G-d." In the Messianic era, both the dispersed of Judah and the "lost" ten tribes will be gathered together in Israel under one ruler (Moshiah, the Messiah). Great will be the day of Jezreel. (In this chapter, G-d refers to the three names of Hoshea's children, which were negative signs in the last chapter. Here, He reverses them into good things. The root of Jezreel is to sow or to plant. The idea is that the Jews will be gathered from the lands in which they had been "planted.") Tell your brothers "ami," "My nation" and tell your sisters "ruchama," "mercy." (These are the opposites of Lo-Ami and Lo-Ruchama, "not My nation" and "no mercy," respectively.)
G-d says your "mother" is not His "wife" and He is not her "husband." Let her remove her make-up and her lovers from between her breasts. (We have seen throughout Tanach that the marital relationship is a metaphor for the relationship between G-d and Israel, the lovers are idols and breasts are Torah. In short, G-d tells Israel to give up their idols.) If the wife in this metaphor (Israel) doesn't do this, He will strip her bare as the day she was born and leave her to perish in the desert. (Compare this with Ezekiel chapter 16.) He will have no pity on her children because they are not His children, but the children of her affairs. She chose to go after her lovers, thinking they were the ones who provided all her needs. (Of course, they were wrong in this assumption; it was G-d.) G-d will close off her path with thorns. She will try to return to her lovers until she realizes it is futile. Eventually she will realize that she actually had it good when she was married and she will plan to return to her husband.
Because Israel refused to recognize that it was G-d providing her needs, He will take back the corn, wine and cloth He had given them, so they will have neither food nor clothes. He will expose her shame to her lovers and no man can save her. (Rashi says "no man" refers to the Forefathers - even their merits will be insufficient to save Israel from this punishment.) G-d will cut short all occasions of rejoicing - Sabbaths, festivals and New Moons. He will uproot the fruit trees that they credited idols with providing. He will punish them as He punished the idols they served. Therefore, G-d will lead her (i.e., them) into the desert, where they will contemplate things and realize how good they had it with Him. Then He will comfort them and provide them with vineyards (referring to leadership, according to Rashi, quoting the Targum Yonasan). G-d will open a "door of hope" from their troubles and they will return to their more grateful days, as when they were a young nation.
The day will come when Israel once again calls G-d "my Husband" (an expression of love), rather than "my Master" (an expression of fear). The nation will no longer even mention the names of the idols they once mistakenly served. G-d will make a pact will all the creatures of the Earth, so that they will no longer be harmful, and He will end war. G-d and Israel will "renew their vows," forever this time. They will be wed through righteousness, justice, kindness, mercy and faith, recognizing G-d. G-d will tell the Heavens to rain upon the Earth, which will give forth its produce. G-d will plant for them (Jezreel), have mercy upon them (ruchama) and say "you are My people" (ami). They will reply, "You are my G-d."
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Hosea Chapter 1 Tue, Sep 09, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 30:28 |
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A Strange Request
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
G-d spoke to Hoshea, the son of Beiri. He lived during the reigns of Uziah, Yosam, Achaz and Hezekiah in Judah; Yeravam the son of Yoash (Jeroboam II) was the concurrent king in Israel.
At the beginning of his prophecy, G-d told Hoshea to marry a prostitute and have children with her, the result being that others will question their paternity. (The reason for this is that adultery is the usual metaphor for idolatry in the relationship between G-d and Israel. G-d was putting Hoshea in a postion through which he would understand G-d's "predicament" with Israel.)
So, Hoshea married a prostitute named Gomer and had three children with her, two sons and a daughter. G-d instructed Hoshea to name the first son Yizrel (Jezreel), a reference to the location where the family of Ahab was killed by Yehu in II Kings 10. (Ahab and Yehu were both kings of the northern kingdom of Israel.) Ahab's family were idolators, but Yehu himself maintained the golden calf idols, so G-d would do to Yehu as Yehu did to Ahab.
G-d told Hoshea to name his daughter Lo-Ruchama (no pity), since G-d will not be lenient with Israel forever. He will mete out strict judgment to the nation of the Ten Tribes, although He would have mercy on Judah and save them from Assyrian exile.
G-d instructed Hoshea to name his younger son Lo-Ami (not my nation), saying that they are no longer His people and He will no longer continue to be their G-d.
There is a disagreement among the commentators as to whether Hoshea actually married a prostitute and had children, if it was a prophetic vision, or just a metaphor. The Talmud (Pesachim 87a-b) and Rashi seem to take the literal approach, so we are treating it literally here.
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In Depth: Ezekiel Chapter 25-35 Mon, Sep 08, 08 |
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag - Length: 28:24 |
The Nations who betrayed Am Yisrael
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Ezekiel Chapter 48 Mon, Sep 08, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 25:43 |
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"G-d is There."
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
The new portions of the Tribes are then described, from Dan in the north, to Asher, then Naftali, Menashe, Ephraim and Reuben. Then came the territory of Judah, with the Temple in its midst, including the land set aside around the Temple in chapter 45. (The land in this portion designated for Kohanim - priests - and Levites could not be sold or exchanged for other land.) There was an open space of less holiness around this where Israelites might live. Grain grown in this territory would be used to feed those who serve the city, such as the Gibeonites who cut wood and drew water (see Joshua chapter 9). On either side, east and west, was land belonging to the ruler.
After the territory of the Temple came the portions of Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, and Gad, in the south. (Unlike the original division of the land in Joshua, here each Tribe received an equal portion in strips from north to south.)
There were twelve gates to the city of Jerusalem, each named after a Tribe, in order to show that each Tribe had a share in the Holy City. (North: Reuben, Judah and Levi. East: Joseph, Benjamin, Dan. South: Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun. West: Gad, Asher, Naftali. You'll note that here Levi is included and Joseph is one Tribe.) The city of Jerusalem from that day forward would be called "G-d is There."
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Ezekiel Chapter 47 Sun, Sep 07, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 33:51 |
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Dead Sea Fishing
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
The angel returned Ezekiel to the inner courtyard, where he saw water flowing from under the door in the east towards the south, and from there to the city. He exited by the northern gate, went around to the outer gate facing east, and the water contined to the south. The angel (who still had his tape measure, from chapter 40) went east and measured 1,000 cubits, then he led Ezekiel through ankle-deep water. He measured another 1,000 cubits, then led Ezekiel through knee-deep water. The angel measured another 1,000 cubits, then led Ezekiel through hip-deep water. Another thousand cubits, then the water was too deep to cross.
The angel asked Ezekiel if he had seen how the little trickle of water starting in the Temple grew into a mighty river. Ezekiel looked back and saw many trees growing on either bank of the stream. The angel told Ezekiel that the water would go down the eastern side of the mountain and go out to the seas, even healing the Dead Sea so that sea creatures might live there. Fish will become abundant and it will be a popular site for fishing. The banks of this new river will have many full fruit-trees. They will be especially prolific, since the water comes from the Temple, and the fruit will be good for cures.
The angel told Ezekiel that they were at the border by which the land would be re-divided. The angel then gave Ezekiel the borders of the land. (We won't go into all the details here. Landmarks like the Mediterranean Sea, the Jordan River and Damascus would be pretty easy for us to identify here, but cities like Cheslon and Tzedad considerably less so.) The land is to be re-divided among the 12 Tribes (including the sons of Joseph as two tribes, and not Levi). This will be an inheritance for them and for those who converted to join them while still in exile; converts are to be treated as members of the Tribe which they joined, receiving a portion among them.
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Ezekiel Chapter 46 Sat, Sep 06, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 24:13 |
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Coming and Going
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
G-d said that the eastern gate of the inner courtyard would remain closed on regular weekdays, but be opened on Sabbath and Rosh Chodesh ("New Moon"). The ruler would enter through the hall of the outer gate and stand by the doorway while the kohein (priest) offers his sacrifices. He will bow and exit, but the gate would not be closed until evening so that the people of the nation might also use this gate on these special days.
The burnt offering of the ruler on holidays would be six lambs and a ram. (Rashi points out that really it should be seven lambs and two rams, but this verse shows us that missing one does does invalidate the service altogether.) On Rosh Chodesh, he should offer a bull in addition to the lambs and the ram. (Same as before: it really should be two, but one still works.) These animals should have the requisite amounts of meal and oil brought with them.
The ruler enters and leaves by the same gate on Sabbath and Rosh Chodesh (although not on festivals). When the people come for the festivals, they should enter by the north gate and exit by the south gate, or vice versa, but not exit the way they came in, and the ruler should do likewise. (He cannot enter through the eastern gate on festivals because there was no western gate across from it by which to exit.)
When the ruler brings a voluntary sacrifice on a regular weekday, they should open the east gate specially for him. In this case, they are to close it when he leaves.
The chapter then describes the daily sacrifices: a yearling lamb every morning, with the requisite meal and oil. (The afternoon sacrifice is not mentioned; the Radak takes this to mean that it will not be offered in the third Temple.)
If the ruler gives real estate to one of his sons, that son may keep it, since he would inherit it anyway. If the ruler gives land to one of his subjects, that is only until the Jubilee year, when land reverts to its Tribal owners. The ruler may not confiscate land from his subjects to give his sons; he may only give his own.
Ezekiel was escorted to the place where the kohanim (priests) cooked their sacrificial portions, which were not to be brought to the outer courtyard. Ezekiel was brought to the outer courtyard, where there was a small, enclosed area in each corner. Each was thirty by forty cubits. According to the Mishna in Middos 2:5, one chamber was for the Nazirites, one was for those recovering from tzaraas (commonly translated as "leprosy," but not really the same thing), one was where firewood was checked for worms, and one was where wine and oil were stored. All for of them had a wall of stones with a place to light a fire and place a cooking pot. The angel told Ezekiel that this was where the priests would cook their portions from the people's sacrifices. (These chambers were uncovered so that the smoke of the fires could exit.)
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Ezekiel Chapter 45 Fri, Sep 05, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 35:06 |
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Re-Dividing the Land
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
In Messianic times, the land will be re-divided among the Tribes, as it was in the time of Joshua. A portion must be set aside for the Temple mount and the surrounding area. Everything within this area of 25,000 x 10,000 rods is considered holy. Aside from the Temple and its open area, this portion of land would include the houses of the kohanim and the land of the Levites, as well as an area inhabited by Israelites. After that, the land to the east and the west belonged to the monarch. This is his land and rulers will have no more reason to try to conscript land from their subjects. (Remember Ahab and the vineyard of Naboth in I Kings 21?) G-d wants the rulers to give up violence and oppression in favor of righteousness and justice, not evicting people from their rightful property.
G-d enjoins the people to have only honest and accurate weights and measures, so that they will not cheat in business. (G-d defines these weights and measures: one-tenth of a homer is an ephah, a shekel is 20 gerah, etc. We'll just take that part as a given.) The Jews are told to bring an tithes of a certain quantities of wheat, barley and oil, and sheep for offerings. The people will bring this offering on behalf of themselves and the ruler. The obligation of the sacrifices on Sabbath and holidays falls on the ruler. (Rashi again says that this refers to the High Priest, although he acknowledges the opinion that it refers to the king.)
G-d says that on the first day of the month of Nisan, they should dedicate the altar of the third Temple by offering a bull, whose blood the High Priest should place on the corners of the altar and the doorposts.They should do this for seven days in order to cleanse the Temple of the deeds of mistaken and simple-minded people. On the fourteenth day of the month, they will begin Passover, to last for seven days. The ruler will bring a bull on that day, corresponding to the calf that Aaron brought as part of his inauguration. For seven days, he shall offer daily bulls and rams as a burnt offering and goats as a sin offering, along with the usual meal and oil. He shall do likewise on the holiday of Succos.
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Ezekiel Chapter 44 Thu, Sep 04, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 35:29 |
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Leviticus II
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
The angel brought Ezekiel back by way of the eastern gate. This gate had opened to admit G-d's presence (in the previous chapter), but it was now closed. G-d told Ezekiel that the eastern gate was to remain closed, since it was the gate He had used. There was only one exception: the "Nasi" (ruler) was allowed to use that gate. Rashi believes the leader referred to is the Kohein Gadol, since the verse speaks of him eating there and the Kohein Gadol would have eaten sacrificial food. Most commentators, however, including the Radak, say that it is the Moshiach (Messiah), who will rule as king, since the tern "Nasi" is used elsewhere to describe him. Whoever he is, this Nasi is also allowed to come and go by the same gate, which we will see in chapter 46, other people were not permitted to do.
The angel brought Ezekiel by the northern gate, where he saw the glory of G-d had filled the Temple and he fell on his face. G-d told Ezekiel to note well all the details of the Temple so that he will fully understand them. Ezekiel should tell the people that they've done enough with their abominations, allowing those of uncircumcised hearts and uncircumcised flesh to serve in the Temple. ("Uncircumcised heart" refers to apostate Jews, who have rejected G-d in favor of idolatry. "Uncircumcised flesh" refers to kohanim who were not circumcised for medical reasons. This is not a sin, but they are not permitted to serve in the Temple.) By allowing people with these physical or spiritual disqualifications to serve in the Temple, the people failed in their responsibility to safeguard the sanctity of the sacrifices.
The only ones qualified to serve in the Temple are Levites who never served idols. A Levite who once worshipped idols and repented will be forgiven, but will be limited in the role they can play in the Temple service. They can slaughter sacrifices (which need not be done by a Kohein) and can assist the people bringing offerings, but they cannot be involved with the altar or offerings of holiness. They must bear the consequences of their actions, though G-d will make them watchmen in the Temple. The Kohanim, descendants of Tzadok, who remained true while the rest of the nation was straying, will serve in all priestly functions and matters of holiness.
The priests are to wear linen vestments when they serve in the inner court; they are not permitted to wear wool. They must gird themselves in a place that does not sweat, which is why their belts were worn rather high. When they go to the outer court, they are to change clothes and not mingle with others in their priestly garments. They must keep their hair neatly trimmed, neither shaved nor too long. The priests may not drink wine before performing their service in the inner court. They may not marry divorcees or women widowed from Israelites, only Israelite virgins or the widows of other Kohanim.
The Kohanim are to instruct the people in religious matters, teaching them to differentiate between holy and profane and between pure and impure. They shall serve on courts to judge financial disputes and, of course, they are responsible for the sacrifices of Sabbath and holidays. The kohanim may not become impure for a corpse, except to bury a parent, sibling or child. ("Wife" is not listed here, as a kohein is permitted but not required to do so.) The kohanim have received the priesthood as their inheritance, rather than real estate. They get to eat certain sacrifices and gifts as their payment. While they may eat many things that others may not, they may not eat non-kosher animals, so they must be careful in performing sacrifices not to do anything to render them unfit.
You will notice that many of the rules for kohanim outlined in this chapter are more stringent than the way we know them to be (for example, that a kohein may not marry the widow of an Israelite, which according to the Torah he may). In fact, the rules in this chapter more closely approach those of the High Priest. The Radak says that this reflects the greater spirituality in the third Temple.
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Ezekiel Chapter 43 Wed, Sep 03, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 31:07 |
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Shechinah Redux
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
The angel led Ezekiel to the eastern gate of the Temple, where the Shechinah, the glory of G-d's presence, was returning from the east. (It was what Ezekiel had seen before, in previous visions.) The Shechinah entered the Temple through the eastern gate and it filled the Temple. (You may recall that the Shechinah withdrew from the Temple prior to its destruction, way back in chapter 11. Here, Ezekiel sees its eventual return.)
Ezekiel heard G-d speaking. He said, "My throne is in Heaven and the Temple corresponds to it on Earth." (Even though it's in quotes, I have paraphrased the meaning of the verse, rather than the exact wording. Basically, G-d calls the Temple His footrest.) G-d continued that He would dwell among the Jewish people forever and never again would His Name be defiled by their acts of idolatry and violence. Here, G-d mentions that the kings of Judah were buried not far from the Temple and altars to their idols were erected near their graves. This is a sin about which we had not previously been informed. Now, such sins would no longer be done and G-d would reside among them forever.
G-d told Ezekiel to describe the third Temple to the Jews; they would be ashamed of their sins when they see that G-d does not reject them, despite their deeds. When they feel this way, Ezekiel will let them know the grandeur that lies ahead. He was to write down all the measurements so that the people would be able to build the third Temple properly when the time comes. (The second Temple, which we will see built IY"H when we come to the Book of Ezra, included some aspects of the first and some of the third.)
G-d says that all of Jerusalem is holy, but the Temple mount is "most holy." He then gives the dimensions of the altar and instructs Ezekiel about the sacrifices to be offered when it is constructed. The kohanim (priests) will offer a bull to G-d as a sin-offering. G-d says that Ezekiel (who is a Kohein - priest) will give it to them, suggesting that he will be Kohein Gadol (High Priest), or possibly Segan Kohein Gadol (Deputy High Priest), serving under Aaron, following the resurrection of the dead. On the second day, they are to offer a goat as a sin-offering. When they're done inaugurating the altar in this fashion, they are to offer a bull and a ram. For seven days, they are to offer a goat, a bull and a ram. When these days are done, on the eighth day, the altar will be ready to offer the people's sacrifices, which G-d says He will readily accept.
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Ezekiel Chapter 42 Tue, Sep 02, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 17:46 |
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Chamber Music
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
The angel took Ezekiel to the outer court, by way of the north, to one of the chambers there, There was a walkway ten cubits to the innermost chamber. There were three floors of chambers and the upper chambers were narrow because space was taken up by the supporting pillars. The outside wall opposite the chambers was fifty cubits. Below the chambers was a path from the outer court, to the east.
In the south there were also chambers, an entrance at the start of the path, by the musicians' wall. The angel told Ezekiel that the northern and southern chambers are holy places, where the kohanim (priests) would eat the sacrifices. The priests were not to leave wearing their special priestly garments; they had to change clothes first.
As the angel finished making his measurements of the Temple, he took Ezekiel out by the eastern gate, and he measured that side. He then measured the other three sides; each was 500 rods long. (Rashi says a rod is six cubits.) We are told that the wall around the Temple separated "between the holy and the profane," the same text we use in the havdalah ceremony that ends Shabbos.
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In Depth: Ezekiel Chapter 20-24 Mon, Sep 01, 08 |
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag - Length: 30:51 |
The Prophecies of Year 7 - Why Redemption must wait
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Ezekiel Chapter 41 Mon, Sep 01, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 23:03 |
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Two-Faced Cherubim
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
Continuing the measurements of the third Temple from the previous chapter, the angel measured the pillars and the width of the entrance. He came to the inside and measured there. He measured a room that was 20 x 20 cubits, then informed Ezekiel that it was the Holy of Holies (the room where the Ark would be kept). He measured the wall and the rooms behind it, of which there were 33. There is then a detailed discussion of how the rooms were arranged. The upper rooms were wider than the lower rooms and there was a spiral staircase to ascend to them.
There were rooms to the courtyard in the northern and southern ends, with a 20-cubit area all around the Temple. The width of the building on the western side was 70 cubits, and the wall was 90 cubits (including the clear area). The length of the third Temple was 100 cubits, inclusive. The eastern side, which was the front, was also 100 cubits. (It was 30 cubits wider in the front than in the back because there were two rooms there, where the knives for the sacrifices were stored.)
The angel measured the south side, which was 100 cubits; he measured the Heichal (the "inner room") and the halls. The windows narrowed and there were cedar planks from the floor to the windows, which were closed. There were also planks over the entrance until the Holy of Holies and the walls. (There was gold plating overlaying the wood, although that is not mentioned here.) The cedar planks were decorated with carvings of cherubim and palm trees. (Again, see chapter 10 for a description of cherubim.) These cherubim had two faces, a lion facing one way and a human facing the other.
The doorway of the third Temple was rectangular and the Holy of Holies shone with a bright light like Ezekiel saw in the vision of G-d's "chariot" (in chapter 1). A wooden table stood in place of the altar (or perhaps it was the altar for incense, rather than for sacrifices). The angel told Ezekiel that it was the table before G-d. (The verse starts by calling it an altar and ends with calling it a table; nowadays, the tables where we eat ARE our "altars!) The Heichal and the Holy of Holies each had two pairs of doors, inner and outer. Like the panels on the walls, the doors were carved with cherubim and palm trees. The chapter ends describing the supporting beams of the third Temple.
Please note that we have phrased things in the past tense, as these are the things Ezekiel saw. Remember, though, that Ezekiel was shown a vision of the future, so it really hasn't happened yet.
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Ezekiel Chapter 40 Sun, Aug 31, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 42:14 |
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The Third Temple
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
In the twenty-fifth year of the exile, which was fourteen years after the destruction of Jerusalem, G-d came to Ezekiel. (The Navi uses the term "Rosh Hashana," but it was actually Yom Kippur of a Jubilee year, the day on which slaves are freed.) G-d picked up the prophet and brought Him to Jerusalem, where He showed him a vision of the third Temple. There was a "man" (an angel), whose appearance was like copper, standing in the gateway with a tape measure and a yardstick. The "man" told Ezekiel that he was to report all he was shown back to the nation.
There was a wall all around the Temple, which the man measured. He then measured the eastern gate and the adjacent rooms. He measured the hall and the pillars and the width of the gate. The "man" measured the windows and doorposts; Ezekiel notes that the tops of the pillars were designed to look like palm trees.
The angel brought Ezekiel to the outer courtyard of the Temple, where he saw a balcony with thirty rooms. The angel measured the courtyard areas and their various rooms and pillars. Ezekiel notes that there were seven steps. The angel measured from gate to gate and all around.
Near the northern gate, there was a room where the olah, the burnt offerings, would be rinsed. In the hall, there were two tables on the east and two on the west, where sacrifices of various types would be slaughtered. There were four on either side, for a total of eight. Four tables were made of stone and were used for burnt offerings. There were meat hooks affixed around the room.
The angel told Ezekiel that the southern room was for the Kohanim (priests) who served in the Temple. (Rashi suggests that this actually refers to the Levites who sang in the Temple.) The northern room was for the Kohanim who watched the altar, descendants of Tzadok, who was the Kohein Gadol (High Priest) when Solomon first built the original Temple (see I Chronicles 29). The angel continued with his work, measuring the hall.
The idea of the third Temple in Messianic times is well known, but relatively few people actually study the source material. All of the measurements taken by the angel in this chapter (and subsequent ones) are given in the text. One could actually make a very detailed blueprint of the third Temple from these chapters!
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Ezekiel Chapter 39 Sat, Aug 30, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 35:20 |
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Gog and Magog: Take 2
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
G-d told Ezekiel to speak further about Gog. G-d will entice Gog to attack a second time, then He will "knock the bow and arrows" out of Gog's hands. Gog and his forces will fall upon the mountains of Israel, left as carrion for the birds and beasts. Magog, the nation of Gog, will burn, perhaps literally (as in the fire and sulfur of the previous chapter) and perhaps figuratively (as in G-d's anger). Even those who live in Magog's satellite territories on islands will be affected by this. When He does this, G-d will keep His Name from being further profaned.
This day is coming, G-d says. Weapons will be made obsolete and the people of Israel will use them as fuel. They'll have so many bows, arrows, spears, etc. that they won't have to chop wood for seven years. As for Gog, he and his armies will be buried in Israel, in a valley that will be called Hamon Gog (the multitudes of Gog). There will be so many of them that burying them will take seven months.The nations will speak well of Israel because they showed compassion in burying their enemies. People will be hired specifically to do this job "for the duration," marking all the places where they find remains until they can be relocated to Hamon Gog. The city of Hamon Gog will be called Hamonah, referring to the multitudes there. (The people of Magog merited to be buried because they were descended from Japheth, who covered his father Noah in Genesis 9.)
G-d told Ezekiel to speak to the animals and birds, telling them gather around the slaughtered masses in order to devour them. They will eat the flesh of mighty warriors and drink the blood of princes until they are full. All the nations will see the judgment that G-d has wrought. They will understand that Israel had been exiled because of their own sins; it was because they turned their backs on Him that He walked away from them and left them to their enemies. But now they have returned and G-d will have mercy on them and He will be zealous that His Name is not disgraced any more. The Jews will be ashamed of their past sins and they will dwell securely on their land. G-d will be sanctified when He returns them from exile and none will be left behind. G-d will no longer turn away from Israel because they will be covered with His spirit.
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Ezekiel Chapter 38 Fri, Aug 29, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 27:21 |
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Gog and Magog
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
G-d told Ezekiel to face the direction of Gog, king of Magog, and speak of his future. G-d opposes Gog, whom He will lead out along with his great army. Many other nations, including Persia, Ethiopia and Togarmah (which might be Germany), will join Gog and his forces. Gog should prepare himself for the battle to come. His forces will march upon the exiles who have returned to Israel. Gog and Magog (and their allies) will ascend to assault Israel, covering it like a fog. They will plan evil - to oppose G-d and to attack innocent people in undefended cities, to loot and pillage the resettled exiles. Merchants of trading lands stand ready to buy the plundered wealth of Israel.
But... when Gog and his allies attack Israel, it will be "the end of days." It's "Judgment Day" for all the nations. People will know that Gog is the one G-d foretold through two prophets (presumably Ezekiel and Zechariah, although the Talmud in Sanhedrin, page 17a, says that it was Eldad and Medad, who prophesied in Numbers chapter 11). When Gog and Magog attack, G-d will remember their sins and direct His wrath against them. All the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts in the field and people on the Earth will tremble and mountains will fall. Everyone in the massive army will attack one another in the great confusion. Plague, blood, floods, hail, fire and sulfur will rain down on Gog's forces. The nations will observe this and recognize G-d's greatness.
People are used to hearing of the "war of Gog and Magog" and they mistakenly think that Gog and Magog are two opposing nations. They're not. Magog is the nation, descended from Noah's son Japheth, and Gog is their leader. (It's like people thinking that the French fought Indians in the "French and Indian War" - really, the British fought France, who had Native American allies. The name is misleading.)
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Ezekiel Chapter 37 Thu, Aug 28, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 28:49 |
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Them Bones, Them Bones Gonna Walk Around
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
This chapter is one of the best-known in the entire Book and is the source of the old spiritual "Dem Bones" (you know - "the knee bone's connected to the leg bone, the leg bone's connected to the hip bone" - that one), as well as the name of the Israeli comic strip "Dry Bones."
G-d carried Ezekiel to a valley full of dry bones, where He asked the prophet whether those bones could in fact live again. Ezekiel replied that only G-d knew. G-d had Ezekiel tell the bones to listen to Him; He then reconnected the bones and covered them with muscles and skin, but they were still lifeless. G-d then had Ezekiel speak to the spirit of life, which entered the bodies, who stood up. G-d told Ezekiel that what happened to these bodies is what would happen to the nation. They think they are lost, but G-d will open their graves, both physically and metaphorically, and bring them to live in Israel.
Next, G-d had Ezekiel write on two boards, one for Judah and one for Ephraim (representing the heads of the two Jewish kingdoms of Judah and Israel, respectively). Ezekiel was to hold the two planks together and they would become one. When the people would ask about the meaning of this act, Ezekiel was to explain that this is how G-d will reunite the nation in His "hand." They will gather together in the land of Israel, one nation under one king. They will give up idolatry and G-d will purify them of their past sins. David (meaning the Messiah, a descendant of King David) will rule over them and shepherd them. The people and their descendants will remain securely in the land forever. G-d will forge an everlasting covenant of peace with the Jews and permanently restore the Temple.
Much of what occurs in the Book of Ezekiel actually happened in visions, but most commentators say that the incident at the Valley of the Dry Bones actually occurred. But who were these slaughtered, unburied skeletons? There are several opinions in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 92b), one of which is that they were the Jews of the Tribe of Ephraim who left Egyptian slavery prematurely, only to killed by the men of Gath (in I Chronicles 7). And what became of them? Again, there are several opinions. One is that they only lived long enough to sing a song of praise to G-d before going back whence they came. Another opinion is that they survived and settled down to raise families, living normal lives. (The Talmudic sage R. Yehuda b. Beseira claimed to be descended from them.)
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Ezekiel Chapter 36 Wed, Aug 27, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 37:28 |
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Soon Turned Out, Had a Heart of Stone
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
After speaking to the various other nations, Ezekiel is now instructed to address Israel. G-d said that since the enemies of Israel rejoiced in capturing the land, He has a message for them. The other nations looked forward to Israel's destruction and everybody slandered them. That's why G-d directed His anger towards Edom and those other nations. G-d reacted with anger over the derogatory treatment Israel received; the other nations will themselves be disgraced. But what of Israel?
Ultimately, the land of Israel will blossom and bear fruit for her exiles, who are about to return. Large numbers will arrive, building up the cities and settling in them. The land will be populated as it formerly was and, in Messianic times, things will be even better than they had been before. The people will return and the land will no longer mourn for her exiled "children." The world looked upon Israel as a harsh land - the Canaanites were destroyed, and then the Jews - so G-d will see to it that no one else shall be lost there. Other nations will no longer disparage Israel.
G-d spoke again to Ezekiel and said that the Jews had defiled the land with their sins, like a woman is ritually impure at the time of menstruation. (Remember, the relationship between G-d and Israel is described as a marriage and marital relations are not permitted when a woman has her monthly period.) G-d became angry with them because of their violence and idolatry. He punished them accordingly, scattering them throughout the nations. Their presence in other lands was a chillul Hashem, a desecration of G-d's Name. G-d is redeeming Israel not because they have earned it, but to save His own Name from further desecration. When He brings the Jews back to Israel, it will be a kiddush Hashem, a sanctification of His Name.
G-d will gather the Jews from all the nations and return them to Israel, where He will metaphorically sprinkle them with water and they will be cleansed, like those becoming purified from the ritual impurity of corpse defilement. G-d will give the nation a new heart and a new spirit; He will replace their heart of stone (which is cold and unyielding) with a heart of flesh (which is receptive). G-d will help the people be inclined to walk in His path and do His will. Then, they will dwell on a fertile land where He will be their G-d and they will be His people. They will not know famine or hunger any more and they will regret their former evil ways.
G-d says that on the day He cleanses the Jews of their sins, repopulates the land and builds up the ruins, the other nations will remark that a once-desolate land has bloomed like the Garden of Eden. As G-d has spoken, so He will do. The people will multiply like the flocks of sheep that would be brought to Jerusalem for the festivals.
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Ezekiel Chapter 35 Tue, Aug 26, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 29:23 |
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Lost in Translation
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
G-d told Ezekiel to face Mount Seir, home of Edom (the descendants of Esau) and foretell their fate. G-d has issues with Edom and He will act against them, making their land a ruin. This is because of their historical animosity against the Jews, dating back to the rivalry between Esau and Jacob. More recently, this manifested in Edom rejoicing in Israel's misfortunes when they were exiled. G-d will repay Edom with blood. The mountain that is their homeland will be strewn with corpses and become a wasteland, bereft even of foot traffic.
What did Edom do? They schemed to inherit two nations. (In its simplest sense, this refers to the two Jewish nations of Judah and Israel. Rashi cites a Midrash relating it to an incident in which Esau tried to turn his father-in-law, Ishmael, against his father, Isaac - who were brothers - in an attempt to inherit them both.) G-d swears that He will do to Edom as they did to others. They will know that G-d repays evil when He judges them for trying to grab that which wasn't theirs. G-d has heard the blasphemous stories Edom has concocted and He is acting upon them. When the rest of the world finally rejoices, united under G-d as the universally-recognized King, Edom will be punished. They rejoiced over Israel's misfortunes and others will rejoice over theirs.
This chapter includes some clever wordplay, which is lost in translation. The word for "their misfortune," "eidam," is similar to Edom. Also, Edom means "red" and is related to the word for blood, "dam," which is a recurring theme in this chapter. So, just to let you know, there's some stuff you miss in translations.
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In Depth: Ezekiel Chapter 8 - 19 Mon, Aug 25, 08 |
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag - Length: 34:17 |
The Nevuot of Year Six
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Ezekiel Chapter 34 Mon, Aug 25, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 34:30 |
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The L-rd is Our Shepherd
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
G-d spoke to Ezekiel after the destruction of the Temple and told him to speak to the people about their leaders, the various kings of Judah. G-d says woe to the kings who spoil themselves, rather than taking care of their people! They did not care for the needy of their nation or bring back stray members of their flock; all they did was oppress the people with work and burdens. Because they didn't have a shepherd, the people strayed and became prey for predatory nations. The members of the flock wandered off and nobody looked for them. Therefore, G-d tells the kings that since His flocks have become prey and their rulers didn't care for them, He will fire them from being shepherds of the nation. They will no longer be able to indulge themselves with the people's wealth.
G-d continues that He will personally go and gather the stray "sheep" of His flock. He will bring them back from all the places they wandered, as on a dark and cloudy day. He will extract them from the nations of their exile and return them to the land of Israel. They will "graze" on green pastures, by good streams. G-d will personally care for his flocks, healing the weakened members and destroying those who gorge themselves at the expense of others.
G-d will shepherd his flocks with justice, judging between the sheep, rams and goats (representing the stong and the weak, or the princes and the common man). It's no small thing for His flock to be able to enjoy good grass and clean water, and G-d will set things straight when one member of His flock pushes another around or gores him with his horns.
G-d will appoint a shepherd over His people from the house of David. This will be Moshiach, the Messiah; the people will accept G-d's kingdom, with Moshiach as ruler. Moshiach will forge a covenant of peace and the people will dwell securely. The people will enjoy rains of blessing and abundant produce, as well as relief from those who would oppress them. The Jews will no longer need fear man nor beast. The name of Israel will spread around the world and they will no longer be disgraced. They will feel G-d's presence and be His people.
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Ezekiel Chapter 33 Sun, Aug 24, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 30:47 |
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Music to His Ears
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
G-d told Ezekiel to speak to the Jews and to tell them that when G-d brings the invaders upon them, the people will appoint one of their own as a lookout. This man will see the army approaching and sound the alarm. Whoever hears the warning and does not react to it will be destroyed by the enemy. They will be held accountable for their own deaths since, had they responded to the alarm, they would have survived. And what if the watchman neglects to sound the alarm that warns the people? Then the deaths will be the lookout's fault, for neglecting his duty.
And what of Ezekiel? G-d has appointed him the watchman over Israel. It's his job to warn them and their job to listen. If they don't listen, what happens is their fault. But if Ezekiel doesn't warn them, it's his fault!
Next, G-d instructed Ezekiel to speak to the Jews about their sins. The people think their repentance wouldn't be accepted, so why bother? Ezekiel is to inform them that G-d doesn't want evil people to perish; He wants them to return to Him and live! (Again, this is part of the High Holiday service.) Why die? Repent, instead!
Ezekiel was to further tell the people that the deeds of the righteous will not be sufficient to save them from the consequences of their sins. Similarly, the deeds of the wicked will not impede them from returning to G-d if they so will it. The righteous cannot "coast" on the strength of their good deeds and allow themselves to "slack off." If they do, their earlier good deeds will be forgotten in favor of their later evil. And, if the evil man repents, his earlier bad deeds will be forgotten in favor of his later good. If people think this system is unfair, it's because they just don't get it.
In the twelfth year of the Babylonian exile (of which Ezekiel was a part - go back to the first sentence of chapter 1 if you've forgotten), a fugitive came from Jerusalem and told them how it was destroyed. G-d had appeared to Ezekiel the night before this man's arrival and restored Ezekiel's voice (which had been taken away - see the end of chapter 3!). G-d's message came to Ezekiel and he spoke, saying that the people reason as follows: "Abraham had only one commandment to observe (circumcision) and he was given the land of Israel. Certainly we, who have many commandments to observe, deserve the land all the more!" (There are other interpretations, including "Abraham was one person and we are many people" and "Abraham worshipped one G-d and we worship many gods!" That last argument, of course, is not particularly compelling.) G-d replied to that claim that they eat blood, worship idols and commit murder and adultery - they don't deserve the land! G-d promises that these refugees will fall before enemy soldiers, wild animals and plague. The land will become a ruin, without residents. Those who mock Ezekiel will come and hear his words, but not observe them. Instead, they will crack jokes and make light of them. Ezekiel should consider this scorn like music to his ears. When the impending evil befalls the scoffers, everyone will know that there is a prophet of G-d among them.
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Ezekiel Chapter 32 Sat, Aug 23, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 38:32 |
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Misery Loves Company
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
G-d spoke to Ezekiel and told him to lament over Pharaoh, saying that he made himself out like a young lion, lording it over the land, but really he is like a crocodile, unable to thrive out of the water. He left his river and ended up polluting his own waters. G-d will spread out His net and pull him up. The Egyptians will be scattered across the fields and the birds and animals will come upon them. Their dead will litter the mountains and the valleys. Their blood will water the land and fill the streams. The smoke of their destruction will blot out the sky; the sun, moon and stars will be invisible. G-d will darken the bright lights of Heaven (referring to Egypt's "guardian angels" according to Rashi).
The hearts of the other nations will sink when they hear what happened to Egypt, from fear that it could happen to them. People will be amazed when G-d lets loose His sword, in the form of the Babylonian army. Everyone will tremble when they imagine themselves in Egypt's place. G-d says that the Babylonians will loot Egypt and decimate the populace. The cattle will be obliterated so that neither they nor humans will stride along the Nile for a long time. Because no people or animals will be found there to stir up the mud, the waters will become clear, like pure oil. Fruitful Egypt will become a wasteland, so mourn over it.
Once again, G-d addressed Ezekiel, telling him to mourn for Egypt and all the people descending to the grave. (According to Rashi, this refers to Hell-bound idolators.) Do they think they're any better than the other nations, that they should escape this fate? They, too, will fall to the invaders. The mightiest in the grave will say this of them. Who is there (in the grave)? Mighty Assyria, who caused much destruction, are in the lowest depths. The warriors of Elam also caused much destruction; they're there, too, slain by their enemies. Other once-mighty nations, who created much havoc in their heyday, are also there, dead from their conquerors. In the end, these slain warriors have it worse than those who died natural deaths, since they were buried with the sins of their violence. So, too, Pharaoh will die in warfare and bloodshed and be buried with his sins.
Edom will also fall, with all their kings and officers, despite their great power. They are also destined for the pit. The Babylonian kings will ultimately be humbled and defeated; they, too, shall join them. When this happens, Pharaoh will be comforted over the downfall of Egypt. (Because, Metzudas Dovid says, misery loves company.) G-d will place the fear of Him throughout the land of the living, Pharaoh and his army will join the ranks of the slain.
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Ezekiel Chapter 31 Fri, Aug 22, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 22:10 |
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"You Think You're Better Than HIM?"
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
G-d spoke to Ezekiel and told him to say regarding Pharaoh and his nation, “Who do you think you’re like?” Assyria was like a cedar of Lebanon, tall with majestic branches. Rivers flowed around it, making it full and lush. All the birds of heaven rested on her branches and all the animals of the field gave birth beneath her shade. None of the other nations (compared to a variety of trees in this chapter) could compete with the Assyria for its beauty. No other "tree" in the garden of G-d was its equal. However, they became arrogant. Because Assyria was so full of herself, G-d allowed them to be delivered into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. The Babylonians metaphorically cut down the tree that was Assyria, her branches broke and all the people left her shade.
Why should Assyria think they’re better than anyone else? They are mortal and destined to die just like the rest of the world. On the day G-d humbled Assyria, all those who relied upon them mourned. The sound of Assyria’s downfall made the nations tremble with fear. When the king of Assyria descended into Hell, the other kings who were there accepted their fate, seeing that it happened to the mightiest among them.
Now, back to Egypt. Does Pharaoh think he’s as great as Assyria? Look what happened to them. The king of Assyria was destined for the grave and so is Pharaoh. He will descend to the nether world alongside the other unrepentant sinners. Pharaoh and his people will lie alongside all the others slain by the invaders.
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Ezekiel Chapter 30 Thu, Aug 21, 08 |
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein - Length: 24:37 |