Hanukkah, a season of God’s light and miracles, is probably one of the most well-known Jewish holidays, primarily because of its proximity to Christmas. But do you know what this special season celebrates?Today, Yael tells us a miraculous story of courage and faith in God that was a huge turning point in history for the Jewish people. She turns to Exodus 15:11: “Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” Those biblical words became the battle cry for all the group of God’s children who became known as the Maccabees.Even though they were much weaker and smaller in number than the Greek army, which at the time of the Hanukkah story was the mightiest army in the world, the Maccabees served our mighty God. In doing so, they showed what courage and faith can accomplish.So, what’s Hanukkah’s spiritual lesson for us today? Every small step of courage we take can impact the life of someone else. We never know what miracles a courageous act can create. Hanukkah is a reminder that a single act of bravery can be turned into one of God’s miracles!Learn more about this season of miracles and light.
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Live the Life You Really Want
Does you ever feel like you’re drifting through life? Sometimes it can feel like we’re on autopilot, going through our daily routines automatically, living according to our whims or our circumstances in the moment, never really choosing what we want.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—and the life that God wants for us. If we live life aimlessly, we probably won’t like where our lives end up. But if we’re clear on where we want to be, we can make a plan to get there.Today, Yael reminds us that we are never alone: God is always with us, guiding us and loving us, every moment of our lives.Today’s episode looks at the Bible passage that decided from whom Israel would come. Learn more about the 12 Tribes of Israel in our Learn Center.
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Make Your Home a Sacred Space
Everyone wants a beautiful home. And today, we have 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, Yael Eckstein looks at the Book of Genesis to discover how the miracles God blessed Sarah and Rebekah with transformed their homes into sacred spaces. For centuries, Jewish homes have used three ritual objects—inspired by the biblical homes of Sarah and Rebekah—to elevate their homes spiritually.Listen now to discover how these practices can turn your own home into a more sacred and godly space.Visit our Learn Center to find out more about the biblical practice of tzedakah.
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Does God Hear Our Prayers?
Prayer is our greatest source of power—a direct conduit to our almighty God. But when it seems that our prayers have gone unanswered, it can be tempting to doubt the power of our prayers.On this episode, Yael Eckstein looks at what the Bible says about the most effective way to pray. As Yael explains, our prayers can become more powerful when we pray for other, with others, and when we keep on praying.These insights are simple, yet they’re profound. And as Yael shares from her own life—they work! With so much to pray for these days, it’s reassuring to know that we speak directly to the Master of the Universe… and that He hears every single one of our prayers! What do you know about prayer? Take our quiz and find out!
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Yair Lapid—A Son of Israel
Shortly before Israel was plunged into two years of war by the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, 2023, Yael had the privilege to sit down with former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid.Much like Yael taking up the mantle of her abba, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Lapid followed in his own father’s footsteps, as a writer and a politician. Also a prolific writer, he wrote the posthumous memoir of his father, Tommy Lapid, an Israeli journalist, politician, and Holocaust survivor.And here, he shares one of the key lessons from the Holocaust—that every Israeli has a duty to make sure the Jewish state always exists. Lapid relates that his father’s story of surviving the bloodbath of the Jewish ghetto in Budapest is a stark reminder that he “cannot live in a world in which I don’t have a place to go.” In sharing his father’s story, the former prime minister says he is telling the story of the Jewish people.But The Fellowship and Rabbi Eckstein also have a special connection to the Lapid family, which Yair shares in this warm, insightful, and enlightening conversation between two people who have devoted their lives to serving Israel and the Jewish people.Find out how much you know about other Israeli figures by taking our quiz!
About Nourish Your Biblical Roots with Yael Eckstein
Explore the ancient Jewish roots of Christianity and their relevance to your life today with podcast host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Join Yael from the Holy Land as she shares spiritual insights, lessons from the Torah, and conversations about life in Israel. This podcast will take you on a unique journey through the Bible that will deepen your personal connection with Israel and offer you inspirational insights into your Christian faith.
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