The Hidden Orchard Podcast

Thomas's refusal to believe in the resurrection without seeing Jesus's wounds is typically read as a failure of faith. But against the backdrop of rabbinic tradition, the Gospel of John affirms details of the Pharisaic tradition of the Resurrection of the Dead. Visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/was-thomas-a-doubter-the-pharisees-tradition-and-the-resurrection/

As life draws to a close, the boundary between worlds begins to thin, and loved ones who have passed may come to guide the soul home. Ancient accounts from the Rabbinic literature seem to reflect modern end-of-life research, affirming the belief that no soul makes the journey alone. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/

The story of Esther is about the hidden hand of Hashem. But hidden doesn't mean absent. Drawing on Esther Rabbah and other Midrashim, we explore how Divine providence operates through angels, accidents, and unseen nudges. Visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/angels-behind-the-scenes-hidden-miracles-in-esther/

Drawing on the Mussar trait of Perishut (Abstinence), we explore the discipline of abstaining even from the permitted as a path to clarity, freedom, and holiness. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/perishus-absintacence/

Though traditionally perceived as a break from Jewish tradition, Jesus’s arguments with certain Pharisees were well within Rabbinic legal norms. This article explores the Jewish legal and practical frameworks behind Gospel debates and how misunderstandings have shaped centuries of Christian reading.

After the collective prophecy faded, Jewish tradition still spoke of a heavenly voice, the Bat Kol, calling out to us from above. From the Talmud to the Apostolic writings, learn how this tradition still speaks to us today. For more, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/a-voice-from-heaven-the-bat-kol-in-rabbinic-and-new-testament-traditions/

Peter’s vision in Acts 10 is often interpreted as evidence of the nullification of the Torah’s dietary laws. Yet a closer reading reveals a different story. Further, this episode reads like a Midrash on Gentile inclusion, shaped by Biblical imagery and a distinctly Rabbinic style of storytelling. For more information and sources, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/peters-vision-is-acts-10-about-dietary-law/

Long before Chasidic Judaism, the Bible and the sages spoke of the chasid, one who serves the Creator with love, humility, and holy intention. In this episode, we begin an exploration of this concept and examine how it may have shaped the spiritual worldview of Jesus. For more information and citations, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-way-of-the-chasid-rediscovering-the-ancient-path/

What if one of the most influential thinkers in church history turned out to be a case of mistaken identity? We'll look at how an anonymous Neoplatonic writer slipped into the stream of Apostolic tradition and shaped the Church's understanding of heaven, hell, angels, and salvation. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-accidental-apostle-the-story-of-psuedo-dionysius/

One of the most common and troubling concepts associated with the Bible has to be the idea of "eternal punishment." But when we dig through the layers of Greek-to-Hebrew translations, we find a different picture of the afterlife. For more information on this topic, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/eternal-punishment/

Did Jesus celebrate Chanukkah? When we look closely at the elements in John, chapter 10, familiar themes from the prophets emerge, giving us a clue to the messianic tradition behind this winter holiday. To subscribe, or learn more - visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-good-shepherd-and-the-chanukkah-connection/

Did Jesus reject Jewish dietary laws, declaring all foods clean? In this episode, we unpack the discussion in Mark 7 to challenge the popular tradition that Jesus abolished Torah-given commandments, showing instead how ‘traditions vs. commandments’ reflects a misreading of first-century Judaism. Learn more: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/traditions-and-commandments/

Materialistic science emptied the heavens of meaning, but Scripture and Jewish tradition insist the cosmos is alive, conscious, and populated by angelic beings, like the Nephilim and Divine Council, as numerous as the stars. For more information on this topic, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-living-heavens-angels-stars-and-biblical-cosmology/

There is one practice of character development that can radically transform your spiritual development, yet it may be one of the more challenging to correct. Fortunately, we have an ancient tradition with tools and tricks to help us judge others favorably. "Dan L'kaf Zechut" (דָּן לְכַף זְכוּת) translates to "Judging others favorably." This ancient ethic instructs us to give others the benefit of the doubt: For more info, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/soul-refinement-judging-others-favorably/

Are all religions connected to an original source? In this article, we explore the surprising parallels between Jewish and Eastern traditions, the surprising path to redemption, and Abraham’s lasting legacy. For more information: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-children-of-the-east-the-connection-between-eastern-religions-and-abraham/

When Jesus said, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s,” he wasn’t only sidestepping a political trap, he tapped into a rabbinic debate on coins bearing idolatrous images. But beneath the surface lies a deeper theme: coins as symbols of the soul, each human being stamped with the Divine image that connects with the creation narrative. For more information: www.thehiddenorchard.com/render-unto-caesar-the-rabbinic-discourse-on-idolatrous-coins/

What did Jesus mean when he mentioned the "living water" during the festival of Sukkot? What is Hoshana Rabbah? Discover how this final day of Sukkot connects ancient Jewish rituals, the pouring of living water, and Jesus’s words in John 7. For more info, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/hoshana-rabbah-and-the-living-water-jesus-teaching-during-sukkot/

In this article, we explore John 4 through the lens of Rabbinic Midrash and its links to Ezekiel 16 and 2 Kings 17. Is the Samaritan woman a creative representation of Ezekiel's prophetic narrative, and if so, how does this change the way we read the Gospels? For More Information: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-woman-at-the-well-johns-midrash-on-ezekiel-and-2-kings/

When most readers of the New Testament think about biblical holidays, Passover and Shavuot usually come to mind first. In this article, we'll see how Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur may be the most important for understanding the context of the Gospel message. Visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/rosh-hashanah-the-kingdom-uncovering-the-context-of-the-gospel-message/

Is the New Testament antisemitic? Scholars like Amy Jill-Levine would argue, though it wasn't intended, the texts have been read to that conclusion. Who is to blame? Is it the authors for leaving out clarifying information? Is it the interpreters who have failed to communicate the cultural, linguistic, and theological context? To answer these questions, we must be willing to confront our knowledge gaps and maybe some underlying assumptions. For More information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/antisemitism-in-the-new-testament/

Thank you! First, I want to thank everyone for their support as The Hidden Orchard Project turns 3! Online Study Opportunity Also, sign up to take part in an online study, beginning August 10th, 2-3 PM Eastern. We will study "The Journey of the Soul". What happens to the soul before and after life on Earth Where souls go when they leave The idea of soul groups and collective mission(s) Parallels between modern science and the Jewish mystical traditions Accounts of people who've experienced NDEs, and the fascinating insights they've gained and much more... To sign up, Visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/live-online-study-the-journey-of-the-soul/

In this article, we explore the deeper insights into the Hebrew word for truth, Emet. With help from the Breslov tradition, we find that truth is a state of living built with honesty before ourselves, others, and G_D. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/living-truth-in-a-world-of-lies/

For nearly two thousand years, the world has viewed Jewish tradition—and especially the rabbis of the Apostolic era—through a distorted lens. This distortion is derived from various disputes in the New Testament, but the picture is not complete. There is a deeper context that has been overlooked. For Citations and Sources: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/misreading-the-gospels-understanding-jesus-within-rabbinic-judaism/ Watch the Two-Part series on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIu16isWs81kTnTtz5SrKSjtl7psdcOr8

“If it’s not in the Bible, it’s not authoritative.” “The rabbis rejected Jesus—why should we listen to them?” What did Paul mean when he said all scripture is inspired, or G_D-breathed? For more info, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/where-does-the-bible-say-that-understanding-scripture-and-inspired-writings/

is Jesus literally God? Can someone speak, act, forgive, heal, or even claim unity with G_D without collapsing the boundary between the human and Divine? Or Is there a precedent in the Torah that helps us understand this idea? Sign up for more on this topic https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-shaliach-agency-and-representation-in-jewish-tradition/

Paul's teachings are seen as a break from Judaism, but what if his ideas on Jewish and Gentile identity are not a rejection of Rabbinic thought, but deeply rooted in it? How does that change how we read a pivotal verse in 1 Corinthians? For More Information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/pauls-rule-and-the-conversion-controversy/

The Death of the Firstborn is one plague that some struggle to come to terms with. Many have asked, "For what purpose did G_D kill so many innocent people?" While this might be rationalized as payback for the death of the Hebrew infants in Exodus 1, closer inspection indicates a deeper message. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/death-of-the-fistborn/

In this episode, we'll explore a deeper insight into Daniel's dietary problems in Babylon and the origins of his solution. Did Daniel rely on the principles of "Biblically Kosher" to navigate the food issues in Babylon, or was he tapped into the Jewish Oral Torah, even in his time? For more info, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/proofs-of-oral-torah-origins-of-the-daniel-plan/ In this series, we're challenging the assumption that an oral tradition—specifically, the Jewish oral tradition—is irrelevant to Biblical understanding and application. visit the website for more.

Purim, one of the most vibrant and festive holidays in the Jewish calendar, is a time of joy, reflection, and fun with the community. Embedded with historical significance and tradition, Purim commemorates a pivotal event in Jewish history that is recounted in the Book of Esther. For More on Esther and Purim, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/exploring-the-timeless-lessons-of-esther-and-purim/

In this article, we explore the nature of reality, looking at a few striking parallels between simulation theory, the Bible, and Jewish thought. Is it possible this new idea of reality is not so new after all? For more information, and to read sources - visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/beyond-simulation-reexamining-the-biblical-blueprint-of-reality/

Did Paul teach the Gentiles early kabbalistic ideas about the Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshamah? If so, this may make his letters some of the earliest appearances of these ideas. How does this change the understanding of these popular verses? For more information, and to read sources - visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/did-paul-openly-teach-jewish-mysticism-to-the-gentiles-in-rome/

Among the profound teachings of Rav Ashlag, we look at the four types of giving in Kabbalah. Learn how each form of giving serves as a pathway for spiritual growth. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-four-types-of-giving-according-to-the-kabbalah/

When we look closely at the birth narratives in the Gospels, we'll find these stories conform to an archetypal pattern, sharing many parallels with the Rabbinic Midrash. How does this knowledge alter our view of these texts? For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/from-midrash-to-manger-the-intriguing-interplay-of-jesuss-birth-and-rabbinic-tradition/

Chanukkah is far more than candles and latkes—it's a radiant moment of spiritual revelation, reminding us of the hope for the Messiah and the ultimate promise of the World to Come. In this episode, we explore some of these insights. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com

Is heaven the soul's last stop, or is there more? In this article, we will explore the tradition behind the ideas of the Messianic era, Heaven, and the World to Come - including a few key references to these in the New Testament. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com

The dybuk—often called an evil spirit, unclean spirit, and even a ghost—represents the restless soul of a deceased individual who clings to the living, often causing spiritual or physical disturbances. From the New Testament to the Kabbalah, we will explore this idea in depth. *This is a condensed version of the full article. For more, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/dybuk-the-mysteries-of-spiritual-possession/

As the temptations of modern life multiply, the spiritual decline we see in communities and spiritual leaders is a wake-up call, causing us to ask: how does one safeguard their soul? Does the Jewish oral tradition offer insight into the early communities' methods for preserving sanctity? For more information, visit: the Hidden Orchard Project

In part 2 of this series, we explore the overlap of the ideas about the soul and its journey after death. Is hell eternal, and is there repentance afterlife? For citations and show notes, visit: www.thehiddenorchard.com

Many people have read Genesis believing that Adam and Eve were simply the first two individuals who set humanity’s story into motion. This has created problems between religion and science, but what if this understanding was based on a misinterpretation? A closer look at the Hebrew reveals a profound nuance. For sources, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/genesis-misunderstood-the-true-meaning-of-adam-and-humanity/

In this episode, we'll unbox common misconceptions about the Creator, and begin the exploration of a deeper, more sophisticated understanding upon which to build. For notes, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-creation-paradox-exploring-genesis-and-the-origins-of-god-2/

In this short series, we will walk through a high-level history of this term, its usage in the Bible and Rabbinic tradition, and its appearance in Jewish mysticism. We will also seek to understand parallels and divergences between Jewish and Christian traditions. https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/salvation-part-1-what-does-it-mean-to-be-saved/

As we kick off another season, I want to thank you and ask for a small favor.

In this article, we explore the power of giving with purpose, ways to optimize tzedakah, and the eternal and atoning power of charity. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/rosh-hashanah-giving-into-the-divine-flow/ Places to Consider donating: One Family Together Sefaria.org

In this article, we explore one of the most powerful spiritual principles - intention - and how we can channel this ability to co-create a new reality. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/rosh-hashanah-the-power-of-intention/

We explore the intriguing reference to Jannes and Jambres, and its implications, in Paul's second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:8). These figures are notably absent from the Christian canonical Bible but appear throughout the Jewish midrashic and kabbalistic tradition. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/proofs-or-oral-torah-jannes-and-jambres-a-couple-of-troublemakers/

In this series, we will explore a few short ideas to make spiritual preparation for Rosh Hashanah. From wisdom on ending the year well, to insights on how we can use our intention to shape the next year. Subscribe today so you don't miss the next episode For More information, visit: Rosh Hashanah: The Sacred Art of Ending Well 40 Days of Spiritual Metamorphosis

What happens to the soul when it moves from the physical to the spiritual world? In this 2-part series, we explore what the tradition has to say about angels, the life review, and tips on how we might spend our time differently. For More, Visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/from-life-to-afterlife-judgment-of-the-soul-in-jewish-tradition-part-2/

Going deep into the history of the first century, we'll explore the shift that took place after the destruction of the Second Temple, and its relevance to modern times and Biblical interpretation. In addition, we'll understand the errors that have contributed to the distorted and negative perceptions of the people of Israel that are alive and well today. For more, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/from-ruin-to-resilience-jewish-revival-post-temple-destruction/