Rico Cortes of Wisdom in Torah Ministries

09/11/2026

Tonight we enter a beautiful and meaningful moment: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Teruah, and Shabbat together.

Rosh Hashanah, the “head of the year,” reminds us that Scripture marks time in more than one way, and this season became connected with the counting of years, including the Sabbatical and Jubilee cycles.

At the same time, the Torah calls us to Yom Teruah—a day to remember, to hear the sound of the shofar, and to acknowledge our King.

It reminds us that we do not stand before the King only as individuals, but as a people called to remember His covenant and respond to His voice.

May we look back with gratitude, look forward with hope, and remember the faithfulness of God.

And for us believers in Yeshua, the shofar also points us toward redemption, resurrection, and the coming of the King.

Shabbat Shalom, Shana Tova, and Yom Teruah Sameach.

09/09/2026

What does it really mean when the Bible says someone will be “cut off”?

Join Rico Cortes and Dr. Donald J. Wold for an in-depth conversation about Destiny of the Defiant and the biblical concept of kārēt—one of the most serious forms of divine judgment found in the Hebrew Bible.

In this discussion, they examine the meaning of kārēt, deliberate or “high-handed” sin, covenant rebellion, holiness, divine judgment, and the consequences of knowingly defying God. Dr. Wold’s research explores whether being “cut off” refers simply to exclusion or physical death—or whether the biblical evidence points to something far more serious involving a person’s ultimate destiny.

This conversation will be especially valuable for anyone studying the Torah, Leviticus, Numbers, biblical theology, covenant, sin, atonement, judgment, and the ancient biblical world.

Subscribe to Wisdom in Torah for more conversations on the Torah, Temple, ancient Near Eastern context, biblical history, archaeology, covenant, and the cultural world of Scripture.

👍 If this discussion helps you, please like, share, and leave a comment with your thoughts.

What do you think “cut off from his people” means in the biblical text?

09/08/2026

Why is the Book of Leviticus so important for understanding the Bible? In this teaching, Rico Cortes explores how Leviticus provides the biblical foundation for holiness, sacrifice, priesthood, atonement, purity, sacred space, covenant, worship, and justice.

Discover why understanding Leviticus is essential for correctly interpreting the Torah, the Prophets, the Gospels, Hebrews, Revelation, and the larger biblical story.

09/08/2026

🇮🇱 I’D LOVE FOR YOU TO COME TO ISRAEL WITH ME

If you’ve ever told yourself, “One day, I want to go to Israel,” I want to personally invite you to consider coming with us this November.

Every time I return to the Land, I’m reminded of how much it changes the way you read the Scriptures.

There is something powerful about standing in the places you’ve studied, seeing the geography for yourself, walking through ancient sites, and connecting the Bible to the world in which it actually happened.

📅 November 15–29, 2026

I don’t want this to feel like just another tour.

I want to walk the Land with you, study with you, answer questions, look at the archaeology, talk about the Temple, the history, the culture, and help you see the biblical text in a deeper way.

I know a trip like this is a significant investment, and I don’t take that lightly. That is why we put so much into creating a meaningful, well-planned experience from beginning to end.

If Israel has been on your heart for a while, I hope you’ll seriously consider joining me.

See the itinerary and tour details here:
https://wisdomintorahevents.com/israel_tour/

It would truly mean a lot to have you there.

I hope we get to walk the Land together.

09/07/2026

What can archaeology reveal about the world of the New Testament—and how can it help us better understand the Book of Revelation?

In this conversation, Rico Cortes sits down with Prof. David deSilva to explore the archaeological, historical, cultural, and social background of the New Testament. Together, they examine how understanding the ancient world can illuminate the biblical text and help modern readers see Revelation through the world of its original audience.

Rather than approaching Revelation only through modern interpretations, this discussion considers the cities, institutions, religious environment, imperial culture, and everyday realities that shaped the world in which John and the early believers lived.

How does archaeology help us read the New Testament more accurately? What can the material remains of the ancient Roman world teach us about Revelation? And how much do we miss when we separate the biblical text from its historical setting?

Join Rico Cortes and Prof. David deSilva for a fascinating discussion connecting archaeology, history, the New Testament, and the Book of Revelation.

🔔 Subscribe for more teachings and conversations on biblical history, archaeology, the Torah, the Temple, covenant, and the historical world of Scripture.

09/06/2026

📢 Tomorrow, September 7 at 3:00 PM ET!

Join Rico Cortes and Prof. David deSilva for a fascinating conversation on Archaeology of the New Testament & Revelation.

How can archaeology help us better understand the world of the New Testament? What can the cities, culture, and material remains of the ancient Roman world reveal about the Book of Revelation?

If you enjoy biblical history, archaeology, and understanding Scripture in its original context, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

📅 September 7
⏰ 3:00 PM ET
▶️ Watch here:
https://youtube.com/live/dRwyEy2BwZM?feature=share

Share this with someone who loves biblical archaeology and New Testament studies!

09/04/2026

Nitzavim–Vayelech reminds us that faithfulness is not proven by words alone, but by the daily choice to stand before the King and walk in His ways.

Even when seasons change, His covenant remains. His Word is still near, calling us to choose life, obey from the heart, and teach the next generation to walk faithfully.

May this Shabbat renew our strength, steady our hearts, and remind us that we never walk alone.

Shabbat Shalom!

09/03/2026

What does it really mean to “choose life”?

Nitzavim–Vayelech brings us to one of the most powerful moments in the Torah. Moses is nearing the end of his life, a new generation is standing before the King, and the covenant is being renewed.

The message is not complicated:

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life…” — Deuteronomy 30:19

But choosing life is more than saying that we believe in God. It is choosing loyalty. Choosing obedience. Choosing to return when we have wandered. Choosing His ways over what is convenient to us.

And this is what makes this portion so full of hope.

Even after rebellion, judgment, exile, and failure, God does not abandon His people. He calls them to return. He promises restoration. He promises to gather. He promises to circumcise the heart so that His people may love Him and live.

The Torah even tells us that what God asks of us is not hidden somewhere in heaven or beyond the sea.

“The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may do it.” — Deuteronomy 30:14

Sometimes we become so focused on discovering something new that we overlook what God has already revealed.

Maybe the question we should be asking is not, “What secret am I missing?”

Maybe it is:

Am I faithfully living what He has already shown me?

Nitzavim–Vayelech reminds us that covenant is not merely something we study. It is something we live—in our homes, our communities, our decisions, and in the way we represent the King to the world.

The invitation remains before us:

Return. Listen. Walk in His ways. Choose life.

I go much deeper into these themes of covenant renewal, repentance, restoration, Moses, Joshua, the witnesses of the covenant, and the historical context of Deuteronomy in my complete Nitzavim–Vayelech teachings.

https://wisdomintorah.com/torah-portion-nitzavim-veyelech-complete/

May we be a people who do not simply know His Word, but faithfully put the King on display through the way we live.

09/02/2026

Was the prophet Jeremiah really in Egypt—and if so, where did he go?

Join Rico Cortes for a fascinating conversation with Egyptologist, biblical archaeologist, and Old Testament scholar Prof. James K. Hoffmeier as they investigate Jeremiah's journey into Egypt and the historical world behind Jeremiah 43–44.

The biblical account places Jeremiah and the Judean refugees in Egypt following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. But can we identify the actual locations mentioned in the text? What can archaeology, ancient geography, Egyptian records, and the changing landscape of the Nile Delta tell us about Jeremiah's route?

In this discussion, Rico and Prof. Hoffmeier explore the biblical and archaeological evidence surrounding:

• Jeremiah's journey from Judah into Egypt
• Jeremiah 43 and 44
• Tahpanhes and ancient Tell Defenneh
• Migdol and Egypt's northeastern frontier
• The eastern Nile Delta
• Memphis and Pathros
• Egyptian military routes and fortresses
• Pharaoh Hophra / King Apries
• Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian threat to Egypt
• The Judean community living in Egypt
• What archaeology can—and cannot—tell us about Jeremiah's final years

Prof. James K. Hoffmeier is an Egyptologist and Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern History and Archaeology. His decades of research have focused extensively on the intersection of the Hebrew Bible, ancient Egypt, archaeology, and historical geography.

This conversation goes beyond simply asking whether Jeremiah went to Egypt. We ask a much more interesting question:

WHERE IN EGYPT DID JEREMIAH GO?

If you are interested in biblical archaeology, ancient Egypt, the prophet Jeremiah, Old Testament history, the Babylonian exile, biblical geography, or the historical context of Scripture, this discussion is for you.

Subscribe to Wisdom in Torah Ministries for more conversations exploring Scripture through biblical history, archaeology, the Ancient Near East, Temple studies, covenant, Torah, and the cultural world of the Bible.

09/02/2026

Join me today at 3:00 PM ET for a live conversation with Prof. James K. Hoffmeier:

Was Jeremiah Really in Egypt? Archaeology Reveals Where

We’ll explore Jeremiah 43–44, Tahpanhes, the eastern Nile Delta, and what archaeology and ancient geography can tell us about Jeremiah’s journey into Egypt.

Live today at 3:00 PM ET
Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/QOF02Zz2rV0?feature=share

Rico Cortes & Prof. James K. Hoffmeier

Was the prophet Jeremiah really in Egypt—and if so, where did he go...