Nourish Your Biblical Roots with Yael Eckstein

Think you know the whole story of the Israelites’ redemption from Egypt and the splitting of the Red Sea? Think again! On today’s special Passover episode, podcast host Yael Eckstein shares Jewish teachings about what happened in the moments before the Red Sea split and the lesson it teaches us about overcoming obstacles, acting in faith, and seeing miracles in our own lives. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

In today’s special Passover episode, host Yael Eckstein explains the unique and sometimes unusual traditions for the Passover seder that are actually meant to encourage questions. In fact, the telling of the Exodus story begins not with facts and explanations, but with questions. As Yael explains, this time-honored tradition of asking questions during Passover is an annual reminder that God wants us to be lifelong seekers. By asking God our questions and entering Passover with a spirit of curiosity, we are more open to learning, rediscovering, and recommitting to Him on our journey of faith, ultimately, growing ever closer to Him. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

April 28 is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, when Israelis and Jews around the world honor the six million souls who perished at the hands of the Nazis with solemn ceremonies and a nationwide moment of silence. In the aftermath of the Holocaust, the Jewish people vowed, “Never forget.” Yet, as host Yael Eckstein and her special guest Elisha Wiesel discuss on today’s podcast, an alarming number of adults today know nothing about the Holocaust. Elisha brings a unique perspective to the conversation as the only son of Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Holocaust survivor, and author of Night, his renowned memoir of survival in the Nazi death camps. Wiesel shares on the podcast his father’s legacy, not only as a passionate humanitarian, but as a proud Jew, who wanted to bring light to the dark places in our world. Listen now to this important and insightful conversation. For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.

If you are like many health-conscious people, you are concerned and mindful of what you put into your mouth. The question is, though, are you as concerned about what comes out of your mouth? In our world, gossip and slander are the norm — we hear and see it on the news, on social media, and even from those around us. If we truly understood the power of our words and how they can affect others — for good and for bad — we’d probably be more careful about what we say. On today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein explores this idea and turns to Jewish teachings to explain why it’s so dangerous to gossip… and how choosing to have a “good tongue” is the secret to a good life! It’s that simple! Listen to learn more. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

There’s a saying in the Jewish tradition that we don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are. Think about that. Whether we tend to focus on the negative or positive aspects of our life has everything to do with how we view our world. Often, if we want to change our situation, we need to start by changing our perspective. In today’s podcast, host Yael Eckstein explores an important spiritual lesson about how we can change “narrow eyes” into “good eyes” by broadening our focus to see the positive in every situation. And that includes not only how we view our circumstances, but ourselves as well! Through today’s teachings, we learn that if we want to see good things, we need to learn to see with “good eyes,” and this episode will show you how. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

If you have ever asked yourself “why do bad things happen to good people,” you’re not alone. It’s a question that has been asked since time began. And with the whole world watching the carnage and suffering of innocent people in Ukraine, this question certainly is pertinent right now. The truth is that sometimes life just doesn’t make any sense. We want answers, but our questions remain unanswered, and we are confused and lost. In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein looks to Jewish teachings that hopefully will soothe your soul. We’ll learn that while we might not have all the answers … God does. We can find comfort in knowing that He sees the bigger picture – and He wants us to come to Him when we have questions. We’ll see how turning to God with our questions can bring us peace and strengthen our faith, even when we feel so lost. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

This month, Jews around the world celebrate one of the most joyous holidays on the Jewish calendar – Purim, which commemorates the events written about in the Book of Esther. During this celebration, people in Israel host big parties, share holiday treats with friends, and dress up in costumes and masks — a lot like Halloween. But unlike Halloween, people go door to door in order to give treats, not receive them. And the costumes have nothing to do with ghosts or gore. As we’ll discover on today’s special Purim episode with host Yael Eckstein, this is because the message of Purim is that things aren’t always as they seem. We must look beneath the surface to see God in everything, and behind the masks we often wear to see God in every person. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Most of us would agree that humility is an important virtue. But being humble is also one of the most misunderstood character traits. Many of us think of a humble person as someone who is meek or quiet. Or someone who doesn’t think too highly of themselves. In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein unpacks what it means to be humble by looking at Moses, who Scripture describes as “more humble than anyone else” (Numbers 12:3). As we well know, Moses certainly wasn’t meek or lacked the confidence to be a leader. What we will discover is that you don’t have to downplay your strengths or belittle yourself to be humble. Instead, you should boldly recognize how special you are — how special God made you to be — and share it with the people around you. As we’ll learn, true humility rests in our ability to recognize that our strengths come from God — and from that knowledge flows joy, courage, and healthy self-esteem. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

The entire world is witnessing unthinkable events that have not been experienced on European soil since World War II. Russia has invaded Ukraine. Bombs are falling on innocent Ukrainian citizens. Refugees are fleeing by the hundreds of thousands into neighboring countries. To discuss the current situation and The Fellowship’s response to this humanitarian crisis, host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, welcomes back to the podcast Michele Bachmann, former member of the U.S. Congress and the current Dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University. Listen now as these two faith leaders share their insights and prayers on this special podcast episode: Crisis in Ukraine. Learn how you can help The Fellowship provide emergency aid to Ukrainian Jews in crisis, including families, children, orphans, and elderly Holocaust survivors. For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Do you know what the best thing to do is when overwhelmed with an insurmountable task or a never-ending to-do list? Take a cue from the Bible and ask for help! It’s the most obvious thing to do, but for many of us, it’s also the most difficult thing to do. As we’ll learn from host Yael Eckstein in today’s episode, even Moses struggled to ask for help when he really needed it. But like Moses, we need to do it anyway, because asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s actually a step towards greatness and developing an even closer relationship with God. This episode will encourage you to ask for what you need, so that you can do all that God wants you to do, and be all that He created you to be. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

On this special edition of Nourish Your Biblical Roots, host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, takes us to the subzero temperatures and the treacherous winter weather in Ukraine and the former Soviet Union to share the heartbreaking stories of elderly Holocaust survivors who live in abject poverty. Without lifesaving aid from The Fellowship and its Christian supporters — food, blankets, water, heating fuel — many of these precious souls would die. The situation is particularly dire right now as tensions continue to rise between Ukraine and Russia, putting these elderly Jews in an even more precarious situation. But there is hope — and that hope is you! Please listen to this special podcast as Yael, Fellowship Board Chairman Bishop Paul Lanier, and other Fellowship supporters share how you can get involved today to help God’s precious children who have already suffered so much. Come back each Sunday as Yael shares inspirational teachings on the Jewish roots of Christianity on her weekly podcast, Nourish Your Biblical Roots. For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.

What if the next time you faced a challenge, you tried looking up at the moon for encouragement? That might seem a bit strange. But in today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein tells us about the biblical holiday of Rosh Chodesh, the New Moon, that signals the start of each month, and what it can teach us about having faith. In Jewish tradition, the moon is a symbol of faith because it is literally a light in the darkness. And even though there are times of the month when we can’t see the moon, it is always there! Could there be a better symbol for trusting God and having hope in dark times? In this fascinating episode, Yael turns to the Book of Exodus to explain the origin of this holiday, how the Israelite women were connected to this special holiday, and the inspirational message this has for us today. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

What do you think you need to be happy? A better job? A new house? Do you have everything you need to be happy right now? The truth is that God already has given us everything we need, challenges and all, to be truly happy right now. But after the past several years enduring a tiring, difficult pandemic, happiness might not seem possible for many. On today’s podcast, host Yael Eckstein shares the powerful biblical tradition that shows us how we can find happiness and stay joyful, despite the brokenness around us. It’s a message we all might need right now! Are you ready to be happy? Let’s go! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

If someone asked you, “What’s your special talent?”, what would you say? Unless we excel in some particular area, many of us might say we’re not talented at anything. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! As host Yael Eckstein shares with us today, God has invested in each one of us unique gifts and abilities. And He expects us to do something with the gifts He has given us. We all have something to contribute to the world and make it a better place. But how do we go about reaching our full potential and becoming all that God has created us to be? Yael examines the Scriptures and her Jewish faith to share three simple, but life-changing keys that will help you unlock your full potential. If you’ve ever felt stuck or that you haven’t yet made the most of your God-given abilities, this episode is for you! Listen now. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Join host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, as she pays tribute to her beloved father and mentor, Fellowship Founder Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, who passed away three years ago this month. Yael celebrates her father’s extraordinary life with a special guest —Beryl Eckstein, her father’s younger brother. In this very personal and emotional podcast, Beryl Eckstein recalls growing up with Yechiel, who was always “full of energy and the life of the party,” walks us through the early, painful days when his brother was ostracized by the Jewish community for his work reaching out to Christians, and honors the lasting legacy of Rabbi Eckstein’s bridge-building work. You won’t want to miss this inspiring tribute to a man whose vision literally changed the course of Jewish-Christian relations. Come back each Sunday as Yael shares inspirational teachings on the Jewish roots of Christianity on her weekly podcast, Nourish Your Biblical Roots. For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.

We all know that giving to people in need is an important thing to do, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy. When we’re short on time or money — or both — it’s hard to give those things away. But in today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein turns the concept of giving completely on its head. She explores verses in the Book of Exodus where God commands the Israelites to contribute to His purposes where we’ll discover a hidden message in the original Hebrew that will change your perspective on giving — and your capacity to receive. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

We live in a world that tells us that we have to be perfect. But what if God’s blessings are found in our imperfections? In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein looks to Scripture to understand how to embrace our imperfections and use them as a springboard to holiness and greatest. As we’ll discover, every time we overcome our flaws and imperfections, we get closer to God — and rise higher than even the angels! If you’ve ever felt inadequate, or if shame and guilt have held you back in life, this episode is especially for you. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Christians and Jews may not agree on everything, but one thing that most of us agree on is that we are living in prophetic times described in the Bible. It started with the Book of Exodus, when God redeemed Israel from Egypt and promised to bring them home on “eagles’ wings.” In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein will explore how these verses prophesied about the times we are in right now – and what this means for us in our personal and spiritual lives. As people of faith, we are called to be God’s partner in fulfilling biblical prophecy today, making this point in history such an exciting time to be alive! Visit our website at The Fellowship to learn how you can get involved in the prophetic work of bring Jews home to Israel. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Did you know you are a warrior in the fight for God in this world? There are so many voices that spread doubt in God. Some come from others, and sometimes we can even find ourselves doubting. In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein will look at the biblical story of the battle against Amalek to show us the root of these doubts. Yael shares fascinating insights about how this battle started in ancient times but is still taking place in our world today and in our personal lives – and how we can finally win it for good. You don’t want to miss this!

Join host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, as she welcomes to the podcast Dr. Alveda King, daughter of slain civil rights activist Rev. A.D. King, and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout her life, Dr. King has carried on the legacy of the King family, passing on to subsequent generations the message of love and dignity of each human being as a champion for life from “the womb to the tomb.” Dr. King shares with Yael, “As I was brought up by my Daddy, my Granddaddy, and my Uncle ML, we must know that we are all one race, and we must work together for human dignity … anywhere and everywhere we are on this planet.” As we commemorate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month, you won’t want to miss this fascinating dialogue and inspiring message for each of us to promote God’s goodness wherever we are. Come back each Sunday as Yael shares inspirational teachings on the Jewish roots of Christianity on her weekly podcast, Nourish Your Biblical Roots. For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Each and every person on earth is given the same amount of minutes in each day. The question each of us needs to answer is what will we choose to do with those precious minutes? In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein looks at God’s very first commandment to the nation of Israel on the eve of their Exodus from Egypt. You may be surprised to learn that it contains a powerful message about time. You see, God wants us to be the masters of the precious gift of time that He has given to all of us — so we have time to spend on the things and people that matter most. This episode will show us how! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Have you ever noticed that the irony of our times is that we have more time-saving technology, but less time to spend on the things that really matter to us? In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein talks about how the ancient observance of the Sabbath — a time to relax, rethink, and reset — is exactly what we all need to combat the challenges of today’s modern world. Yael will take a closer look at the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt, how tired and hopeless they felt, and the parallel lessons for us on finding freedom from all the stuff that enslaves us today. We’ll learn that if we can reclaim the practice of the Sabbath, each in our own way, we will find more time for joy in our lives! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Did you know that Moses wasn’t the first person to see the burning bush in the desert? According to Jewish teachings, many shepherds had walked by, but none of them bothered to stop. Maybe they were distracted or didn’t want to deal with the fire — or they were simply too busy to take the time to inspect it further. But Moses saw the fire and because he went over to check it out, Moses was present to the miracle that was happening right before his eyes. In today’s powerful episode, host Yael Eckstein shares the lesson of how we must try — even in a world full of distractions — to live in the present moment, just like Moses. If we do, we’ll not only strengthen our relationship with God, but also witness more beauty and miracles all around us! Are you ready? For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

What will your legacy be? Maybe it will be how successful you were in your career or how much you loved your family. But in today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein turns to Jewish teachings to show how we can leave behind a strong legacy of faith. When we prioritize doing good deeds and supporting the people in our lives in positive ways, we can create a lasting impact that reaches far beyond our own lifetime. We’ll learn that every day is a chance to create a legacy of faith that will impact generations to come. Today’s episode will show you how. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

You’ve probably heard of the term “baseless hate” — hatred without any justifiable cause — but there’s another term you might not have heard of: “baseless love.” Baseless hate can ruin friendships or cause deep divisions in society, but baseless love has the power to do the opposite. It can bring strangers together and hope and healing to the world! Are you wondering if love can really be the answer to all our problems? In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein will look at the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. We’ll see how Joseph chose to love his brothers – the same brothers who sold him into slavery. This is the type of powerful love that we can all benefit from today. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Join host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, as she welcomes to the podcast Gov. Mike Huckabee, the 44th governor of Arkansas, a presidential candidate in 2008, an ordained Southern Baptist pastor, host of TBN’s Huckabee, and longtime advocate for Israel and the Jewish people. Gov. Huckabee shares with Yael how, after his first visit to the Holy Land in 1973, he witnessed the transformation of Israel from a dusty, barren struggling country to one of the most technologically advanced and prosperous nations on earth. “In my lifetime, I’ve seen the desert bloom, I’ve seen the dry bones come to life. The only explanation is God’s hand is upon this country ... This is a modern-day miracle!” You won’t want to miss this fascinating dialogue, as Gov. Huckabee and Yael also discuss the work of The Fellowship and the Governor’s unflagging joy and passion for blessing Israel. Come back each Sunday as Yael shares inspirational teachings on the Jewish roots of Christianity on her weekly podcast, Nourish Your Biblical Roots. For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Did you know that it is precisely at the darkest time of the year when the Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights? And that is no coincidence. Because only against that backdrop of darkness can we truly appreciate light. In this special Hanukkah episode, host Yael Eckstein will explore this season where Jews remember the miracles that happened in their history and the miracles that are still happening today! As we’ll learn in this powerful episode, Hanukkah reminds us that no matter how dark things may be, we can still find the light. No matter how impossible things may seem, God can make miracles happen. Listen now! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Want to make a real difference in the world, but don’t know where or how to begin? As we will learn on today’s podcast, we can make a difference in the lives of others by simply asking, “How are you doing?” In a world where so many people are hurting, we should never underestimate the power of greeting every person with genuine care. It can save a life — even our own! Host Yael Eckstein explores the biblical story of Joseph’s time in an Egyptian prison and how the simple act of greeting those around him in the prison — with sympathy and understanding — led to a series of events that changed his life, and ultimately, helped millions of people. We all have the ability to bring more of God’s light to the world and take care of those around us, and in this episode, we’ll discover how. Listen to the story of the street-sweeper, whose kindness during the horrors of the Holocaust made a huge difference in the lives of others. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

These days, there is plenty to worry about. But we weren’t made to carry around so much worry in our hearts. Worry weighs us down — emotionally, mentally, and physically. And it did in Bible times, too, like when Jacob had good reason to worry about his family’s safety. Do you know what he did? He learned to manage his anxiety by giving it all to God — a faithful and powerful tactic that we can all learn to do! In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein takes a closer look at this frightening time in Jacob’s life so that we can all learn three powerful ways to give our stress to God, break free from worry, and experience the fullness of joy that God wants for us! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

What’s the key to living a godly, spiritual life on a daily basis? You may be surprised to learn that it doesn’t involve praying on a mountaintop or living a solitary, cloistered life. Actually, you don’t have to change your day-to-day activities at all. It’s the way you go about your life that matters the most. On today’s podcast, host Yael Eckstein will talk about Jacob’s famous dream from the Book of Genesis, and the lessons it teaches us on bridging the gap between the spiritual life we want to lead and the material world we can’t escape. The exciting news is that your life is exactly as it should be! And with the right mindset — of bringing God into everything we do in our lives — even the most ordinary tasks can become spiritual and extraordinary. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Join host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, as she welcomes to the podcast Rev. Johnnie Moore, pastor, entrepreneur, and most importantly, a warrior for peace and religious freedom in the Middle East. Noted as one of America’s most influential evangelical leaders, and a longtime friend of Yael and her father, Fellowship Founder Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, of blessed memory, Johnnie discusses with Yael his passion for Israel, the Jewish people, and the “pursuit of peace” in the Middle East. As Johnnie tells Yael, “I’ve never been more optimistic for peace, despite all the challenges that are happening ... this is a new day.” You won’t want to miss a word of this very important and timely conversation. Come back each Sunday as Yael shares inspirational teachings on the Jewish roots of Christianity on her weekly podcast, Nourish Your Biblical Roots. For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Do you ever feel like you are drifting through life? Sometimes it can feel like we’re living on autopilot, going through our daily routine automatically, without really choosing what we want. We live according to the whims of our desires and circumstances of the moment. But on today’s podcast, we’re going to talk about what we can do each day in order to get closer to the life we really want — the life that God wants for us. If we drive around aimlessly, we probably won’t like where we end up in life. But if we are clear on where we want to be, we can make a plan to get there. And host Yael Eckstein reminds us that we never drive alone: God is always in the passenger seat, guiding us and loving us, during every moment of the journey. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Everyone wants a beautiful home. And today, there is no shortage of information about how to enhance the places we live to make them more beautiful and more comfortable physically. But how can we enhance our homes spiritually? In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein looks at the Book of Genesis to discover how the miracles God blessed the homes of Sarah and Rebekah with transformed their homes into sacred spaces. For centuries through today, Jewish homes have incorporated three ritual objects, inspired by the homes of Sarah and Rebekah, that help elevate their homes spiritually. Learn more about these objects and what we can discover from these practices that can help us turn our own homes into sacred and godly spaces. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Prayer is one of the greatest sources of power available to us — and yet many of us struggle with unanswered prayers or how to make our prayers more powerful. In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein explores insights on the most effective way to pray from the Jewish tradition that have been used for thousands of years. As Yael explains in this podcast, our prayers can become more powerful when we pray for other, with others, and when we keep on praying. These insights are simple, yet profound, and as Yael demonstrates from her own experience, work! With so much to pray for these days, this episode is a good reminder of how amazing it is that we can speak directly to the Master of the Universe, and that He hears every single one of our prayers! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Have you ever asked, “God, why are you testing me?” If you have, then today’s episode is for you. Life is full of tests — and most people still want to avoid them as much as they wanted to avoid them when they were kids. But in today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein looks at Abraham’s tests in the Book of Genesis to discover the purpose of life’s tests — to show us what we are capable of and transform us into the best versions of ourselves. And we’ll learn why instead of running away from them, we should look forward to the tests in our lives with excitement and joy. It is possible to have this mindset, and Yael will show us how! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Join host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, as she welcomes to the podcast Dr. Steve Greene, Publisher and Executive Vice President for Charisma Media and Executive Producer for the Charisma Podcast Network. In this far-ranging conversation, Dr. Greene shares his vision for spiritual leadership that is based on building relationships with those you lead and being intentional about forming relationships with others. Yael and Dr. Greene also discuss the need for relationship-building in overcoming the divisiveness in our world today and in combating prejudice and anti-Semitism wherever it exists. As Dr. Greene says, “The keys to the kingdom are relationships.” Listen now! Come back each Sunday as Yael shares inspirational teachings on the Jewish roots of Christianity on her weekly podcast, Nourish Your Biblical Roots. For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.

What comes to mind when you hear the word shalom? Maybe you connect it with the Israeli greetings of “hello” and “goodbye.” More than likely you think of “peace.” But this understanding of shalom doesn’t fully capture the meaning of the word in Hebrew. It is so much more than the absence of turbulence or war. Shalom is rooted in the Hebrew word shalem, which means “whole” or “complete.” True Shalom is the presence of wholeness, unity, and connection with our neighbors. It truly is the greatest blessing you can pray upon anyone else. The vision of shalom is that if we build unity in our homes and communities, the more we will see shalom in the world. If we reach out to people different from us — and learn from these differences — it can change the world. Are you ready for this spiritual challenge? Listen now! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

“Am I my brother’s keeper?” The words may be familiar to us, but what did Cain really mean when he spoke these words to God? What does it mean to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper? In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein explores the spiritual message from this familiar biblical story and relates it to our own response to the needs of others in the world. At times, we all have turned away from those in need. Yet, in doing so, isn’t that response similar to how Cain replied — that he wasn’t responsible for his brother? So what’s the takeaway for us? Thankfully, God doesn’t expect us to take care of everything, but we can do something. Listen now to learn how doing even the smallest things can make the world a better place. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

What makes you happy? What brings you lasting joy? Maybe it’s having a comfortable lifestyle. Or being surrounded by friends and family. For some, it’s the material things we have that we think make us most happy. But as we’ll learn on today’s podcast, sometimes stepping into the unknown brings us the most rewards and true lasting joy. Host Yael Eckstein explores the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, the Feast of the Tabernacles, which commemorates that time when the Israelites journeyed out of slavery from Egypt and lived in the desert in flimsy huts, exposed and vulnerable, relying solely on God’s protection and blessings. The spiritual message for us? When we step out of our comfort zone, we step into opportunities that can bring us tremendous joy, including the greatest joy of all — feeling God’s abundant love and complete protection. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

It’s been said that two of the hardest words for people to say are “I’m sorry.” Can you relate? When have you experienced needing to apologize and dreaded doing it? Or maybe, you have been hurt by someone who won’t apologize to you? In this special episode about Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, host Yael Eckstein explores how those two words relate to the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Admitting our wrongdoings, committing to making changes, and moving forward is what the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur is all about! When we do this with sincerity, God always forgives and always has mercy. And those words – “I’m sorry” – have the power to heal relationships and change our future for the better. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

How many of us think about repentance as we celebrate and usher in a New Year on January 1? Probably not many! But when Jews usher in the Jewish New Year on Rosh Hashanah, the main focus is on repentance, or teshuvah, which means to “return” to God and to who we really are. The sound of the shofar, the ritual trumpet, signals this time to reflect on the past twelve months, fix any behavior that isn’t helpful, and return to God who is waiting with open arms. In this special Rosh Hashanah episode, host Yael Eckstein shares the Jewish perspective on the meaning of repentance and its significance for both Christians and Jews, and how it has the power to nourish our souls and transform us into the people we are meant to be! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Join podcast host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, as she and Bishop Paul Lanier, Chairman of the Board for The Fellowship and pastor of Hope Community Church in Winston Salem, N.C., talk about the upcoming High Holy Days and how God created these special times of communing with Him. Bishop Lanier also shares how he became involved with The Fellowship’s work after seeing Fellowship founder Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein visiting an elderly Holocaust survivor in Ukraine. As Bishop Lanier tells Yael, “As a Christian, the most Christian thing I can do is to support and defend the Jewish people.” Listen now! Come back each Sunday as Yael shares inspirational teachings on the Jewish roots of Christianity on her weekly podcast, “Nourish Your Biblical Roots.” For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.

On today’s podcast, host Yael Eckstein talks about the most important choice that we’ll ever make — when we follow the Bible’s directive to “choose life.” If we do this, we can live happier and more fulfilling lives! But what does it mean to “choose life”? As Yael explains in today’s episode, God gives us the choice between life and death, blessings and curses, every day. But they show up in different ways — perhaps as a choice between being happy and being right; between humility and pride; between forgiveness and resentment. The choice is not always obvious — and it’s not always easy to make. But when we choose life, we choose a way of living that is rooted in faith, love, and gratitude. Learn how by listening now! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

There are times in life when our faith is strong, but our fears might seem stronger. Maybe you’ve tried to cling to faith over the past year, but then the pandemic completely upended our lives and made us all fear for the future. Here’s the thing — it’s not easy to stand confidently in faith and in peace when life looks scary and uncertain. So what do we do? How do we strengthen our faith? In today’s episode, podcast host Yael Eckstein turns to the Bible and Jewish teachings to explore just this! Knowing that we should put all our trust in God, and actually having faith that God is looking out for us are two different things. Listen now, as Yael and join this powerful discussion on how to lean on God and remain standing through anything. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

Where exactly are you in your spiritual journey? Just like any journey we begin, if we don’t take some time to pause and reflect on where we are headed, we may find ourselves completely lost. In today’s podcast episode, host Yael Eckstein walks us through an ancient biblical Jewish practice – one Jesus likely participated in – that happens during the Hebrew month of Elul, which began this month. During Elul, the Jewish people begin preparing themselves spiritually for High Holy Days, which begins with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and concludes on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Jews take this yearly 30-day challenge to lay the groundwork for real and lasting change by doing an intense spiritual checkup. As Yael shows us, it takes a full 30 days to connect with God, nourish our souls, and make spiritual changes that last. As we’ll learn, this Jewish version of a “30-day challenge” can set us up for a successful year to come as well as a blessed life ahead. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

People of faith often say they are “walking with God,” but what does that really mean? While it probably means different things to different people, you might say it means having a close relationship with God. Some feel closest to God in prayer, while others might draw nearer to God when reading Scripture. In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein will share with what it means in the Jewish tradition to “walk in God’s ways” and how we can do that and grow closer to God on a daily basis. You may be surprised to discover it can be as simple as giving someone a hug! Listen now and learn more with this practical, insightful, and inspirational teaching. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

On the debut of “Conversations with Yael,” join podcast host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, as she and Michele Bachmann, former member of the U.S. Congress and the current Dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University, exchange views on the importance of Israel today and its significance for all Christians. Michele and Yael discuss a wide variety of topics from balancing family and career, to the prophetic fulfillment of God bringing His people home to Israel, to the need for the next generation of Christians to hear the truth about Israel. You won’t want to miss a word! Come back each Sunday as Yael shares inspirational teachings on the Jewish roots of Christianity on her weekly podcast, “Nourish Your Biblical Roots.” For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.

How many of us have made choices solely to please or impress others? If we’re honest, we all have done that at one time or another. But what would our lives look like if other peoples’ opinions truly didn’t matter to us? Would our priorities be different? Would we spend our time differently? Make different choices if we had no need to impress others? In today’s podcast, Yael Eckstein explores what it looks like if we followed the wise advice Moses gave to the Israelites on this topic. Yael shares how this very advice transformed her life and led her to where she is today — as the leader of the largest philanthropic organization in Israel, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. The good news is that if we shift our focus of pleasing others to pleasing God instead, we, too, can be free to live our best and most authentic lives. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org. Be sure to come back and tune in on Wednesday, August 4, when Michele Bachmann, former member of the U.S. Congress and current Dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University, joins Yael on the premiere episode of her new podcast, “Conversations with Yael.” Each month, Yael invites to the podcast influential thought-leaders to discuss the importance of Israel and its significance for Christians today. You won’t want to miss a word of this lively and inspirational dialogue!

Imagine if you woke up tomorrow with only the things that you had thanked God for today? How would that change the quality of your gratitude? As we’ll discover on today’s podcast, it’s easy to thank God when we are truly in need and He provides for us. But what about when things are going well, and we are blessed with good health, family and friends, and enough food to eat? It’s human nature to take our blessings for granted and forget about the Source of all we have. In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein explores the biblical command to remember God and His many blessings through times of plenty and times of difficulties. We will learn how having gratitude in all situations can actually lead to God giving us even more things to be grateful for and more blessings in our lives! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.

If you have ever felt like giving up, today’s episode is dedicated to you. This month, Jews around the world observe the darkest day on the Jewish calendar, Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the month of Av. On this day, Jewish people weep for something that occurred more than 2,000 years ago — the destruction of both the First and Second Temples that once stood in Jerusalem. Yet, as host Yael Eckstein explains, while this day is one of deep sorrow, it is also one of great hope — a hope that has sustained the Jewish people throughout the darkest pain of exile, persecutions, and even the Holocaust. The lesson for us all is that there is always room for hope because we worship a God of love, mercy, and compassion. By not giving up hope, we affirm our belief in God’s promise to fulfill all His promises in the Bible. For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.