In this episode, we dive into a deep commentary on Isaiah 64:6, a verse often quoted to suggest that human righteousness is like "filthy rags" in God's eyes. Our guest challenges this common interpretation, explaining that the verse isn’t rejecting good deeds altogether. Instead, it’s describing the spiritual state of the Israelites during their exile. While they were performing outward acts of righteousness, their hearts were distant from God, making their actions hollow and insincere. The episode unpacks the real message of the passage—calling for repentance and a heartfelt return to God, rather than dismissing the value of righteous actions. Through vivid examples and metaphors, we explore how God seeks genuine devotion and how this timeless lesson applies to us today.

In this episode, we dive into an article from AltarnateMedia.com that explores the deeper meaning behind keeping kosher. It's more than just a set of dietary restrictions—it's a spiritual practice that elevates the act of eating. The article discusses how kashrut fosters mindfulness and intentionality, reminding us that food sustains not only our bodies, but also our souls and spirits. We’ll also look at the modern challenges of keeping kosher in a world of globalization and mass production, and how these laws offer a framework for ethical living. In the end, kashrut is presented as a path to freedom, helping us live with purpose, connection, and responsibility.

In this episode, we explore the meaning behind Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:17: "Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill." We discuss how the original Greek term for "fulfill" is in the active tense, suggesting that Jesus actively lived out and embodied the Torah's ethical teachings rather than replacing them. This interpretation challenges the traditional Christian view that sees Jesus’ fulfillment as a replacement for the Torah. Instead, the episode highlights that Jesus' fulfillment involves living the commandments to their fullest, revealing a deeper understanding of their true essence. We conclude by considering how this active fulfillment encourages modern readers to see the Torah as a living guide for practicing God's commandments, rather than as an obsolete set of rules.

In this episode, we examine the theological and scriptural challenges surrounding the concept of Jesus' death as a sacrifice for atonement within Judaism. We discuss how traditional atonement theories, which suggest Jesus died to satisfy God's justice or pay for humanity's sins, conflict with the Torah's strict prohibition against human sacrifice. Instead, the episode emphasizes understanding Jesus' life and teachings as a call to repentance and a return to Torah observance. We explore how Jesus served as a righteous example of self-sacrifice and spiritual growth, particularly in alignment with Pharisaic Judaism and the teachings of the school of Hillel. The episode concludes by suggesting that viewing Jesus' death as a literal sacrifice is problematic, while seeing it as a call to repentance and a model of love and righteousness provides a more consistent theological understanding.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the historical origins of Christmas, focusing on two main theories: the "History of Religions" theory and the "Calculations" theory. The History of Religions theory suggests that Christmas emerged from the blending of early Christian and pagan traditions, while the Calculations theory posits that early church leaders determined the date of Jesus' birth through biblical calculations. The author presents extensive evidence, including biblical texts, early church writings, and even medieval Jewish documents, to argue in favor of the History of Religions theory. He contends that while the Calculations theory has gained traction recently, it lacks strong evidence and relies on speculative assumptions. The episode explores how early Christians adopted certain pagan practices, with the celebration of Jesus' birth on December 25th coinciding with the Roman festival of Sol Invictus, illustrating the pattern of syncretism throughout Christian history.

In this episode, we delve into the concept of priesthood in Judaism, focusing on four distinct orders: Melchizedek, Levitical, and two heavenly priesthoods. We explore the Melchizedek priesthood, which predates the Levitical order and was based on merit and righteousness, passed down through lineage until the giving of the Torah. We then discuss the Levitical priesthood, established at Mount Sinai and given to the tribe of Levi for their loyalty during the incident of the Golden Calf, which remains significant in Jewish tradition. Additionally, we examine the two heavenly priesthoods, located in the Upper and Lower Gan Eden, which mirror the earthly practices in a spiritual realm. The episode emphasizes the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms in Judaism, cautioning that neglecting either can lead to imbalances and negative consequences.

In this episode of Kosher Gospels, we unpack Colossians 2:16-17, a passage often cited to suggest that Torah observances like dietary laws, Sabbath, and festival days are obsolete in light of Christ. But is this interpretation accurate? We dive deep into the original Greek text and Jewish tradition to reveal a different perspective—one where Paul wasn't dismissing these practices, but rather asserting that the community of believers, the "body of Christ," has the authority to guide such observances, not external critics.

In this episode, we explore the Torah’s test for identifying false prophets, which includes three essential criteria: advocating deviation from Torah commands, promoting the worship of unfamiliar gods, and making false prophecies. The text applies this test to various Abrahamic religions, arguing that Christianity, Latter-Day Saints, and Islam fail to meet these standards. In contrast, Orthodox Judaism is seen as upholding these principles by maintaining the Torah as its foundational text and rejecting any teachings that contradict it. We discuss the importance of adhering to these criteria to safeguard against false prophets and maintain a genuine faith in God.