What did Noach’s Ark actually look like, where did it come to rest, and could any part of it still exist today? In this episode of Untold Stories of the Torah, Rabbi Shmuel Aber explores these questions through the Torah, Chazal, and classical commentaries. Following the story from the generation of the Flood to Noah’s entry into the Ark, we examine its dimensions, ratio, and roof design, uncovering details that challenge familiar illustrations. We then investigate the “Mountains of Ararat” and trace humanity’s migration from the Ark’s resting place toward the plains of Bavel. The journey continues through accounts of the Ark long after the Flood, including traditions connecting its wood to Sancheriv and Haman’s gallows, passages in the Zohar, and reports recorded by Jewish travelers. What do these sources reveal about the Ark’s survival, and what can we conclude about its whereabouts today? The episode closes with a personal lesson that we can learn about how to seek refuge amid the storms in our own lives. 00:00 - Intro 01:08 - Understanding the Torah Approach 02:35 - Story: Summary of Story of Noah and the Ark 05:38 - 1) What did the Ark Look Like? 15:19 - Story: Noah Enters the Ark 18:37 - 2) Where is the Mountains of Ararat? 23:48 - Story: Humanities Migration after the Flood 25:44 - 3) Sightings of the Ark after the Flood 39:30 - Summary and Life Lesson

Avigail, Part 1 explores the life and legacy of one of the Torah's most fascinating women. This episode examines her connection to King Dovid, tracing key events in his timeline and the significance of his anointing. It also delves into the story of Naval, his betrayal of Dovid, and the judgment that follows. The narrative begins to highlight Avigail's wisdom and decisive actions during this critical moment in Biblical history. 00:00 - Intro 00:24 - Starting Questions on Avigail 01:09 - Timeline of Dovid Hamelech 01:55 - Family Tree of Yehudah 03:57 - Anointing of King Dovid 24:12 - The Secret of the Anointing 25:23 - The Passing of Shmuel Hanavi 29:36 - Who was Naval? 36:25 - Who was Avigail? 39:03 - Dovid Helps Naval 43:29 - Dovid Asks Naval for Help 48:35 - Naval's Response to Dovid 50:25 - Naval is Judged for Treason 55:16 - Avigail Finds Out

Before Avraham became the father of the Jewish people, he was born into a world that had almost completely forgotten its Creator. This episode traces the rise of idolatry, the extraordinary story of Chanoch, Noach’s connection to the garments of Adam, and the emergence of the powerful King Nimrod. We then meet Terach ben Nachor and enter the dangerous world into which his son Avram was born.On the night of Abram’s birth, mysterious signs convince Nimrod that this newborn child will one day threaten his kingdom. A deadly decree follows, forcing Avram’s mother to hide her infant son inside a cave. Growing up entirely alone, with no teacher to guide him, Avram begins observing the world around him and searching for the One who created it. 00:00 - Intro 01:52 - The History of Idolatry 06:21 - The Story of Chanoch 16:44 - Noach and the Garments of Adam 18:22 - King Nimrod 22:13 - Terach Ben Nachor 24:50 - Birth of Avram and Nimrod's Decree 29:20 - The Night Avram was Born 35:09 - Avram is Hidden in a Cave 37:03 - Avram Discovering God 43:16 - Avram's Mother Returns for her Son

Avigail, Part 2 continues to explore the life and legacy of one of the Torah's most fascinating women. This episode examines her connection to King Dovid, tracing key events in his timeline. It also delves into the story of Naval, his betrayal of Dovid, and the judgment that follows. The narrative highlights Avigail's wisdom and decisive actions during this critical moment in Biblical history. 00:00 - Intro 00:20 - Recap 01:10 - Avigail Meets Dovid Hamelech 14:26 - Dovid Hamelech's Gratitude to Avigail 17:24 - Naval's Death 28:37 - Dovid and Avigail Get Married 30:50 - Avigail's Capture 35:47 - Kilaev, Son of Avigail 43:04 - Final Note

In King Yechonya - The Captive King (Part 2), we revisit the mass deportation known as the exile of the Cheresh U’Masger, Jerusalem’s spiritual elite who were forced into Babylon along with their young king. The episode explores Yechonya’s personal suffering as he is imprisoned, while the throne is transferred to his uncle, King Tzidkiyahu. Though initially loyal to Babylon, Tzidkiyahu ultimately rebels against Hashem’s warning delivered through the prophets, a decision that seals the fate of Jerusalem. Nevuchadnezzar returns in fury and, in retaliation for the rebellion, destroys the Beis Hamikdash. Amid devastation, the podcast reveals a parallel story of endurance, Yechonya fathers a child from within prison walls, ensuring the survival of the royal line even in captivity. We then learn the dramatic tradition of Nevuchadnezzar’s descent into madness, his insanity, and eventual death. After his passing, Yechonya is released, honored, and elevated in Babylon. The episode closes by following his descendants, Shaltiel, Zerubavel, and the rebuilding leader born from his bloodline. 00:00 - Intro and Recap 02:59 - Exile of the Cheresh Umasger 09:03 - King Yechonya is Imprisoned 10:05 - King Tzidkiyahu becomes King 14:31 - King Tzidkiyahu Rebels 19:45 - Nevuchnezzer Destroys the Beis Hamikdash 21:08 - King Yechonya has a Child in Jail 26:57 - Nevuchnezzer Becomes Insane 32:57 - Nevuchnezzer Dies and King Yechonya is Freed and honored 38:15 - Shaltiel and Zerubavel

(3213) Fall of King Sancheirev of Ashur (3228) Delegation from Babylon visits King Chizkiyahu, at the behest of Berodach Baladan (3316) King Yoshiyahu. (3319) Rise of Nevuchnezzer and Babylonian Empire, conquered Ashur. (3320) Nevuchnezzer conquers Israel. (3321) Yirmiyahu gives the official prophecy. (3327) Golus Cheresh VeHamsger. Exile of King Yechonyah (and Mordechai). (3338) Destruction of the Beis Hamikdash by Nevuchnezzer. (3364) King Evil Merodach becomes King of Babylon. (3386) King Belshazzar becomes King of Babylon. (3389) Belshatzar, calculated 70 years (45 + 23 + 2) from the Rise of his grandfather Nevuchnezzer in the year (3319), makes a feast. End of Babylonian Empire. (3390) Daniel makes a calculation of 70 years, then recalculates. (3391) Koresh calculation of 70 years. Orders rebuilding of Beis Hamikdash. (3392) Achashverosh becomes King of the Persian Empire. (3395) Achashverosh’s party and his calculation of 70 years. (3408) 70 years from destruction. Rebuilding of Beis Hamikdash by Daryovesh II son of King Achashverosh and Queen Esther.

This episode explores the life and background of Ovadiah Hanavi (Obadiah), beginning with his ancestry and early years in the shadow of the wicked Omri dynasty. It highlights Ovadiah’s quiet heroism, including hiding a hundred prophets during King Achav’s reign and borrowing money with interest to save them. The episode builds toward the dramatic moment when Ovadiah meets Eliyahu Hanavi during a time of famine and national crisis. 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Ovadiah's Ancestry 02:31 - Early Life of Ovadiah 04:45 - The Dynasty of Omri 09:39 - King Achav 14:57 - Chiyel Rebuilds Yericho 18:24 - Eliyahu Hanavi and the Famine 23:00 - The Search for Eliyahu 26:55 - Ovadiah is Promoted 30:10 - Ovadiah Hides the Prophets 34:28 - Ovadiah Borrows with Interest 36:15 - Eliyahu is Forced to End the Famine 39:10 - Ovadiah Meets Eliyahu This episode is dedicated in loving memory of Aharon Ben Avraham

This episode continues the story of Ovadiah, beginning with the showdown on Har Karmel and Ovadiah’s rise to prophecy. It explores the powerful message within the Book of Ovadiah and follows his legacy after his death, focusing on his widow's desperate attempt to repay his debts. The episode concludes with Elisha’s miraculous intervention involving oil and a reflection on the fall of King Yehoram. 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Eliyahu Competition on Har Karmel 08:30 - Ovadiah Becomes a Prophet 15:24 - The Book of Ovadiah 24:46 - Ovadiah Passes Away 26:38 - Ovadiah's Wife and the Remaining Debt 29:27 - Elisha's Instrcutions for Ovadia's Wife 37:21 - The Miracle of the Oil 41:23 - The Fall of King Yehoram

In King Yechonyah: The Captive King (Part 1), the episode opens by tracing the final kings of Judah leading up to the Babylonian exile. It begins with the righteous reign of King Yoshiayahu, whose reforms temporarily revived the nation’s spiritual strength. After his death, chaos and decline quickly followed. His son Yehoyachaz briefly ruled before being deposed, and King Yehoyakim ascended the throne under foreign control. Yehoyakim’s reign is marked by rebellion and disregard for prophetic warnings, leading to his downfall and death, ushering in the fragile rule of his young son, Yechonya.The narrative then shifts to Yechonyah’s short and tragic reign. Only eighteen years old, he inherits a kingdom already under Babylonian threat. When Nevuchadnezzar returns to Israel, Yechonyah chooses to surrender rather than see Jerusalem destroyed. However, despite promises of peace, the Babylonian king betrays his word, deporting Yechonya, his family, and thousands of Jerusalem’s elite craftsmen and scholars in what became known as Golus Cheresh VeMasger. The episode closes with the haunting image of a young king carried into captivity, marking the beginning of a long and painful exile for the Jewish people. 00:00 - Intro and Questions00:46 - King Yoshiayahu03:30 - King Yehoyachaz04:10 - King Yehoyakim08:23 - Death of King Yehoyakim15:48 - King Yechonya becomes King20:27 - Nevuchnezzer Returns to Israel22:27 - King Yechonya Abdicates28:28 - Nevuchnezzer Breaks his Word. Golus Cheresh VeMasger