Podcast

(120) Choose Mapquest, Not Waze

Who would ever use Mapquest instead of Waze?! Why, Waze helps you avoid problems that you didn’t even anticipate, whereas Mapquest doesn’t let you avoid anything! But David argues that in our journey to G-d, Mapquest is the way to go – and is the means to achieve authentic spiritual growth.

(119) The Bible’s Two Lists of the Thirteen Attributes

The Bible offers two lists of G-d’s thirteen attributes of mercy: one in Exodus, and one in the Book of Micah. How do they correspond to each other? Join David and Scott to find out.

(118) Is the Name of G-d an Attribute of Mercy?

The thirteen attributes of divine mercy that appear in Exodus 34 begin with the name of G-d mentioned three times – the Tetragrammaton twice, and then the Hebrew word for “G-d.” Are these all counted among the thirteen, and if so, what do they mean? Listen to David and Scott duke it out in today’s Morning Drive Bible.

(117) Formulaic Prayer: Magic Words or Something Deeper?

G-d informs Moses that whenever Israel recites the thirteen attributes of mercy, He will forgive them. Doesn’t this sound like a type of magic trick? Isn’t prayer supposed to be about building a relationship with G-d, rather than the mindless recitation of a formula? Join David and Scott as they tackle this difficult question and, in the process, help us understand the place of standardized prayer.

(116) The Time G-d Taught Moses How to Pray

G-d recites the thirteen attributes of mercy before Moses… and Jewish tradition says that G-d metaphorically appeared as a prayer leader when He did so. What does this teach us about the reason that the Bible relates G-d’s praises?

(115) Interacting with our Teachers: The Greatest Education

Book learning is wonderful, but nothing compares to actually witnessing the actions of our great teachers. Join David and Scott as they discuss this idea, and how it relates to Moses’ breaking of the Tablets of the Law.

(114) Thanksgiving: Thanking G-d for America

David and Scott offer a history lesson about Thanksgiving, and explain why all people of faith should be grateful to G-d for the gift of America.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

(113) Chaos in Israel and the World… Leading to the Final Redemption?

New elections – again – in Israel, and a prime minister under threat of indictment. Impeachment hearings in the United States. Brexit throwing the United Kingdom into turmoil. The whole world feels enveloped in chaos. While every country is involved in its own problems, what is G-d’s plan?

(112) The Covenant Versus the Bank Account

On the one hand, Jewish tradition says that the merit of the forefathers was used up during the First Temple period; on the other hand, our ancestors are mentioned to this day in Jewish liturgy, and we see their merit hinted at in the Bible even after the First Temple’s destruction. Join David and Scott for an enlightening explanation of this dichotomy that is relevant to our own understanding of G-d’s place in our lives.

(111) Can the Merit of the Forefathers Run Out? It’s a Complicated Question

There is an ancient Jewish tradition that claims that the merit of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob can be used up – and, in fact, was used up many years ago. Yet Jewish liturgy constantly invokes the merit of the fathers, as well. What’s going on?