For you are a holy people to HaShem

(Deuteronomy 7:6)
Av 15, 5776/August 19, 2016

This week's Torah reading, Va'etchanan, contains among its many elements, a veritable treasure trove of exquisite superlatives describing Israel's unique and intimate relationship with G-d . Yes, the same G-d who created the world, who exists beyond time and space, who brought on the flood, who chose Avraham, who delivered Israel from Egypt, brought Israel to Sinai, and betrothed Israel with the eternal covenant of Torah, finds special delight in His people. Israel, indeed, are the apple of G-d's eye. With all their flaws and foibles, and there are many, (some of them also enumerated in this week's Torah reading), G-d loves His people Israel.

Expounding the Torah

Did Moses speak in tongues? Tradition says that Moses spoke the words of the book of Deuteronomy in the seventy languages of humanity.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Devarim (דברים | Words)

Torah: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27

Gospel: Mark 14:1-16

A special portion for Shabbat Chazon is read this Shabbat!

Shabbat Chazon (שבת חזון | Vision)

Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27

These are the words of Moshe

(Deuteronomy 1:1)
Av 8, 5776/August 13, 2016

This week we begin the fifth and final book of Torah, the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is a Greek term which reflects the coinage of the sages of Israel, who refer to the book as the Mishna Torah, meaning "a second teaching of the Law," as many previously stated commandments and events are re-articulated throughout the book. The Hebrew name of the book is simply Devarim - words - taken from the opening verse, "These are the words of Moshe...," (Deut.1:1) which is, in fact, an exquisitely appropriate title, as the entire book, (unlike the four books which preceded it and record the word of G-d ), is comprised of the words spoken by Moshe to the children of Israel during the course of the thirty-seven final days of his life.

First Glimmer of Redemption

Disciples of Yeshua endeavor to live kingdom-lives now in this current age, and they seek to attain the exalted spiritual status of the Messianic Era by clinging to King Messiah now.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Mattot (מטות | Tribes)

Torah: Numbers 30:2-32:42

Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-39

Arm yourselves for battle before HaShem

(Numbers 32:20)
Tammuz 23, 5776/July 29, 2016

So close, and yet... so far. "If it pleases you, let this land be given to your servants as a heritage; do not take us across the Jordan." (Numbers 32:5) These are the words spoken by "the descendants of Gad and the descendants of Reuven " (ibid 32:2) beforeMoshe and Elazar the Kohen Gadol. Standing literally on the east bank of the Jordan river, the last existing stumbling block between the nation of Israel and the land G-d promised them having now been vanquished, the rank and file of these two tribes plead before Moshe to permit them to remain outside of the land and to settle permanently in a place not sanctified by G-d 's covenant with Israel.

Zeal for Adonai

Religious zealotry and fanaticism has no place among the disciples of Yeshua outside of our "zeal for the Torah" and "zeal for good deeds."

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Pinchas (פנחס | Phinehas)

Torah: Numbers 25:10-30:1

Haftarah: 1 Kings 18:46-19:21

Gospel: Mark 11:27-12:37

Never Argue with a Donkey

Balaam referred to himself as “the man whose eye is opened ... who sees the Almighty." His donkey disagreed with his self-assessment.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Balak (בלק | Balak)

Torah: Numbers 22:2-25:9

Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8

Gospel: Mark 11:12-26