Anointing from Heaven

The story of Jacob's mysterious dream about a ladder between heaven and earth and the story of Jacob anointing the pillar contain hints and clues about the Messiah.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayetze (ויצא | He went out)

Torah: Genesis 28:10-32:2

Haftarah: Hosea 12:12-14:10

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-4:11

THERE IS NO "CHRISTIAN CULTURE"

- ONLY JEWISH AND GENTILE CULTURES

In 135 A.D. or so, the second Jewish war against Rome ended with the lead general crucified, the head rabbi killed by having his skin and muscles scraped raw by iron combs, and the already distrusted empire wide Jewish people -- still paying reparations for the 67-71 A.D. war -- now paying for this one as well.

Two Kinds of Followers

Rabbi Yeshua did not seek large numbers. He sought disciples. The story says, “When Yeshua saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him” (Matthew 5:1). Why did He go up the mountain?

Isaac Prays for Rebekah

The Talmud says, “Why were our ancestors barren? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, longs to hear the prayer of the righteous” (b.Yevamot 64a).

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Toldot (תולדות | Family history)

Torah: Genesis 25:19-28:9

Haftarah: Malachi 1:1-2:7

Gospel: Luke 3:1-18

The Versions

We've all heard some version of it:

The story goes that a group of blind men (or men in the dark) touch what they later learn is an elephant. Each one feels a different part, but only one part, such as the elephant's side, the tail, a leg, or a tusk. The one touching the side says, "It's a wall." The one touching the tail says, "Its a rope." The one touching the leg says, "It's a tree." And the one touching the tusk says, "It's a pipe." (Or some variation on the above).

The Canaanites

Abraham insisted that Isaac should not marry a Canaanite. What about today? Is it safe to worship with Canaanites?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Chayei Sarah (חיי שרה | Sarah's life)

Torah: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-23

Did Jesus Wear a Kippah?

by Shmuel Safrai - Jerusalem Perspective Magazine. 
Late Professor of Jewish History at the Hebrew University

It is certain that Jesus, a Jew residing in the land of Israel in the first century, did not wear a kippah or skullcap. This custom arose in Babylonia between the third and fifth centuries C.E. among the non-Jewish residents - Jewish residents of Babylonia had not yet adopted this custom, as the Dura-Europos frescoes show - and passed from there to the Jewish community of Europe.