Nourish Your Biblical Roots

Join host Yael Eckstein as she welcomes back to the podcast Bishop Paul Lanier, Chairman of the Board for the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, to help her launch The Fellowship’s 40th Anniversary year. Bishop Lanier shares his insights on how The Fellowship for 40 years has been able to respond to the most desperate human crisis and needs — including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine — with immediacy and compassion. Bishop Lanier talks about the profound effect that being involved with The Fellowship has had on him personally and invites us all to become involved in this critical humanitarian and lifesaving work. Start your new year off with this inspirational discussion that may just change your life as well! [...]

Does your family have any special holiday traditions this time of year? Most of us do, including host Yael Eckstein, who shares her special family traditions for Hanukkah. Yael explains not only how this holiday inspires hope, faith, and light for her husband and kids, but how Hanukkah has kept the Jewish people hopeful during the darkest of times in their history. This Hanukkah, it is a time to remember all the light that God brings to our lives and how this holiday has inspired faith in those who desperately need it. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org. [...]

Do you know how miracles happen? A miracle just takes one step of faith and God takes care of the rest! That’s what we learn in today’s special Hanukkah episode, where podcast host Yael Eckstein dives into the story of the miracle of the oil. We learn how when rededicating the Temple in ancient times, God’s people lit the menorah on faith alone because they knew they didn’t have enough pure oil for it to burn more than one day. And guess what? God performed a miracle, and the flame lasted for eight days until they could get more pure oil! This Hanukkah, all God wants us to do is light that first candle and then He will provide the rest. Just as the Hanukkah story has inspired the Jewish people throughout history, let God’s miracles in our own lives encourage the light of others, ignite hope, and let our faith burn bright! Listen now! [...]

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 miracles are remembered and celebrated during this season? Host Yael Eckstein starts a new four-part series on Hanukkah, exploring the many lessons of faith this holiday has for us. Today, Yael Eckstein tells us the miraculous story of the Maccabees, and how their courage and faith in God were a huge turning point in history for the Jewish people. Hanukkah is a reminder for us that we never know how one act of bravery can be turned into one of God’s miracles! [...]

Even since biblical times, the Jewish people have never let go of the Sabbath. As we’ve learned in our five-part series on this ancient ritual, the Sabbath is a weekly reminder to rest and reflect on how life is about connecting with God, our families, friends, communities, and ultimately, about making the world a better place. In today’s final episode, host Yael Eckstein walks us through each step of the Sabbath day to show us how relevant this biblical practice is even in modern times. And when we harness the beautiful power of the Sabbath, it will transform our lives, our relationship with God and with one another. Listen today. [...]

Join host Yael Eckstein as she has the incredible honor and privilege of welcoming Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the podcast. Having recently won re-election to the office he held previously for a combined 15 years, the Prime Minister is also celebrating the release of his new memoir, Bibi: My Story, already on the New York Times Bestsellers List. During this insightful conversation, Prime Minister Netanyahu talks about living a life with purpose and vision — and about the people who encouraged him to do that. Listen as Prime Minister Netanyahu also shares with Yael his thoughts on the historic relationship between Christians and Jews and the role this friendship has played in the founding of the Jewish State, as well as the long-standing bond between Israel and the United States. For anyone with a love for Israel, this is a Conversation you don’t want to miss! For more information on today’s episode, visit mybiblicalroots.org.  [...]

One of the most iconic and treasured rituals associated with the Jewish observance of the Sabbath is the lighting of the Shabbat candles each Friday evening at sundown. In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein will share why this ritual is so special to her personally, and how it serves as both a powerful moment in her week as well as a deep connection to her family, her Jewish roots, and God. Listen now! For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org. [...]

Have you ever noticed the irony of our modern world — we have more time-saving technology, but less time to spend on the things that really matter to us? In today’s episode, the third in a series about the Shabbat, 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! [...]

Join host Yael Eckstein as she welcomes college basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who has led the Auburn Tigers to 154 wins, three Southeastern Conference championships, consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, and the program’s first ever appearance in the Final Four in 2019. While his success on the basketball court is well-documented, what might not be as well-known is his absolute dedication and love for Israel and her people. On the podcast, Yael and Coach Pearl discuss how important his Jewish faith is in his career, how his love for Israel has inspired him throughout his lifetime, and the importance of finding common ground and joining together as people of faith. Don’t miss this inspiring Conversation! [...]

What does it mean to be truly free? As Christian theologian Karl Barth wrote, “A being is free only when it can determine and limit its activity.” And in the Jewish faith, that’s what observing the Sabbath is all about. In this second episode in her five-part series on the Sabbath, host Yael Eckstein explores why setting boundaries around time and activities on the Sabbath actually frees her to focus on what’s most important — connecting with God and with each other. Join Yael as she unpacks one of the biggest misunderstandings about the Jewish observance of the Sabbath — all the prohibitions that surround this sacred day and what it means to actually refrain from work and just rest. As Yael explains, setting healthy boundaries can transform our lives and set us on the path to true freedom. [...]