Topics to be Discussed 

Part 1: Introduction: The Biblical definition of a 'Messianic' time period ( "reishit tzmichat geulateinu"): The famous Cyrus Declaration- and its historic and prophetic setting, including an brief overview of the Biblical books that discuss the time period of Ezra, Chagai & Zecharya

Part 2: Yeshayahu chapters 40-48: Who's the prophet and who's the audience? Can an Orthodox Jew entertain the possibility of more than one Isaiah, and can a Relgious Zionist deny it?

Part 3: Yirmiyahu's prophecy of "the 70 years" and its ramifications during the time period of "Shivat Tzion"

Part 4: The book of Ezra--why it is often misunderstood (and rarely studied). And why it should become part of the core-curriculum in our Jewish Education

Part 5: Is the Jewish year really 5781? How the Biblical books of shivat tzion became its source (and the reason for the controversy)

Part 6: The book of Chagai, and the Biblical roots of how and when we celebrate Chanuka

Part 7: Zecharya chapters 1-6:  the vision of the Menorah and the special relevance of the Haftara for Chanuka, as well as exploring it as the symbol of the modern state of Israel

Part 8: Zecharya chapters 7 & 8:  the reason for the 'Four Fasts' commemorating Jerusalem's destruction

Part 9: The book of Nechemya and its effect on Rabbinic Judiasm (part 1 of 2)

Part 10: The book of Nechemya and its effect on Rabbinic Judiasm (part 2 of 2)

Part 11: Re-examining Megillat Esther, in light of the books of shivat tzion (part 1 of 1)

Part 12: Re-examining Megillat Esther, in light of the books of shivat tzion (part 2 of 2)

Part 13-15: The controversy of the 'missing years' of bayit sheni as it centers around the question of who was Achashverosh of the Megilla (3 parts)

Part 16: The Prophets of yore, what would they say about the state of Israel today? 

Part 17: A discussion of our own time period and how it reflects our views on the modern state of Israel and geula