Tell Me the Story The Ephesus School

This paper was originally presented on August 25, 2023 at the 2023 OCABS symposium held at St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

The 12 Tribes of Israel: 
The sons of Reuben Hanoch dedicatedPallu wonder/marvelousHezron settlement/ villageCarmi my vineyard The sons of Simeon Jemuel Day of ElJamin Right HandOhad Joined TogetherJachin He will establish Zohar Whiteness Shaul Asked for The sons of Levi Gershon Outcast/ sojourner Kohath Assembly? Merari My bitter one The sons of JudahEr Awake Onan Vigorous Shelah ProsperPerez Break throughHezron Settlement/ villageHamul SparedZerach Rise/ come forth The sons of IssacharTola Worm/ Scarlet Puah Here/ hitherJob Cry in a shrill voiceShimron Something preserved The sons of Zebulun Sered FearElon Oak Jahleel Whom God has made sick The sons of GadZephon ExpectationHaggi My festival/ my pilgrimage Shuni My quiet oneArodi Wild donkeyAreli Lion of El The sons of Asher Jimnah FortunateIshuah Be levelIshvi My level one Beriah In evil? Heber United/ be joinedMalchiel My King is God The sons of Joseph Manesseh ForgetEphraim Ashes The sons of Benjamin Bela Devour Becher Young Camel Ashbol SproutGera GrainNaaman Favor Ehi My brotherRosh Head Muppim WavingsHuppim CoverArd Fugitive The son of DanHushim Those who make hasteThe sons of Naphtali Jahzeel Alotted by GodGuni Painted Jezer Image/ formShillem Retrubution/ AvengerIntro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

This week, we continue our recitation and discussion of the book of Genesis with an emphasis on the Semitic understanding of "peace" as it relates to Joseph's reunion with his brothers. 
Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

This week, Rowdy and I continue our read through of Genesis with chapter 44. Let us be attentive!
Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

In the process of reuniting with his brothers, Joseph celebrates the occasion by inviting them to a common meal. Not only does he order them according to the order of their birth, he also serves the youngest brother the biggest portion. In other words, the last shall be first. Join Rowdy and I as we continue our read through of the book of Genesis. 
Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

Continuing our recitation and commentary on the book of Genesis, we point out interesting similarities between Joseph and Cyrus. When it comes to the messiah, everybody expects a homegrown King David, but such a king is never to be found because the iniquity comes from inside the group, not outside. The cancer began in Jacob when he followed the ways of the nachash, and it spread to his murderous children. For their salvation, it takes the humiliation of having their God save them via a foreign agent. Let us be attentive!
Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.