Make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell in their midst

(Exodus 25:8)

Adar 1, 5778/February 16, 2018

"And they shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell in their midst." (Exodus 25:8) What is the nature of this commandment, which appears in the preamble to this week's Torah reading of Terumah, which deals exclusively with the unfolding details of this far reaching commandment. In fact, the remaining chapters of the book of Exodus, the entire book of Leviticus, and major sections of the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy, dwell exclusively with this commandment and the hundreds of commandments which make up the working parts of G-d's visionary, history changing commandment: "And they shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell in their midst."

The Twelve Loaves

What is the connection between the twelve loaves of the bread of the presence, the twelve loaves with which Yeshua fed the multitudes, and Sabbath challah bread?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Terumah (תרומה | Heave offering)

Torah: Exodus 25:1-27:19

Haftarah: 1 Kings 5:26-6:13

Gospel: Mark 12:35-44

We will do and we will hear

(Exodus 24:7)

Shevat 24, 5778/February 9, 2018

It has been a roller-coaster ride for the children of Israel ever since they left Egypt. They have faced extreme hardships, hunger and thirst and the unprovoked ambush by Amalek. These lows have been balanced out by the crossing of the Sea of Reeds, the manna and, of course, the ultimate heights of the Sinai revelation. This week's Torah reading, Mishpatim, takes us on yet another roller-coaster ride, not so much in the material sense, but very much so in the metaphysical or spiritual sense.

Tough-Love with Torah

Just because the death penalty cannot be enforced today does not mean the law is off the books. Each one of these sins carries the same grievous weight.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Mishpatim (משפטים | Judgments)

Torah: Exodus 21:1-24:18

Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8-22, 33:25-26

Gospel: Matthew 26:20-30

I am HaShem, your G-d

(Exodus 20:2)

Shevat 17, 5778/February 3, 2018

This week's Torah reading, parashat Yitro, is most famous, of course, for its central theme, the giving and receiving of Torah at Mount Sinai, referred to familiarly as the Sinai revelation. In a tremendous, unprecedented, global axis-shifting event, full of fire and smoke, lightning and thunder and earth shaking immanence, G-d speaks face to face with Israel. But what is the sensory warping light and sound all about? What was the subtext to G-d's Ten Commandments?

Fundamentals of Faith

The Ten Commandments continue to speak across the centuries. The voice from Sinai echoes even today in the lives of millions of people.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Yitro (יתרו | Jethro)

Torah: Exodus 18:1-20:23

Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6

Gospel: Matthew 19:16-26

A PARABLE FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING GOD'S COVENANTS AND REDEMPTIVE AGENDA

Once upon a time, Joe Christian got into his car and turned it on. "First gear ... Abrahamic Covenant," he said, shifted into first, then began moving forward from his driveway to the open road ahead of him. Out on the road, and gaining speed, he said, "Second gear ... Mosaic Covenant," ... voice slightly higher. And he shifted into second. At the proper time, Joe said, "Third gear ... Davidic Covenant," ... voice high and excited ... cracking a bit. And he shifted into third. Wiping a hint of sweat off of his forehead, car speeding along the road at a fast clip, Joe then said in a voice of excited anticipation, "And ... now ... NEW COVENANT!!! ..."