The Revelation of Joseph

Joseph's brothers did not recognize him. Likewise, for most of the last two thousand years, most Jewish people have not realized that Jesus is Jewish.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayigash (ויגש | He approached)

Torah: Genesis 44:18-47:27

Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28

Gospel: John 5:1-47

Celebrate Yeshua and the Festival of Lights

December 16-24, 2014

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

On the Hanukkah menorah (called a hanukkiah), the shamash
(servant candle) sits higher than the other eight candles and is used
to light them.  What a wonderful representation of Yeshua, the
Light of the World, and how He gives us the "light of life," through
the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit).

Joseph in Disguise

Although Yeshua of Nazareth is the only serious candidate in the running for Messiah, most Jewish people for the last two thousand years have solidly rejected that possibility.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Miketz (מקץ | From the end)

Torah: Genesis 41:1-44:17

Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7

Gospel: Luke 4:16-31

"... BECAUSE OF THE ANGELS" (1Cor 11:10)

"That is why a wife ought to have [a symbol of] authority on her head, because of the angels" (1Cor 11:10).

While we cannot be 100% certain what Paul meant by "the angels" in this passage, by our entering sympathetically into ancient Jewish thinking about the role/s of heavenly angels we can perhaps gain a glimpse of what the Apostle intended to communicate.

Be fruitful and multiply ...

(Gen 1:28; 8:17; 9:1, 7).

According to ancient Jewish interpretation (with which I agree), "fruitful and multiply" requires at minimum three children from the couple who is capable of fulfilling this commandment. Having only one child is depleting yourselves by one (Husband plus the wife, plus the child, then the parents die, leaving only the child). Two children is merely replacing yourselves (Husband plus the wife, plus the two children, then the parents die, leaving only two children). Three or more children is replacing yourselves plus adding more (Husband plus the wife, plus the three or more children, then the parents die, leaving thee or more children), thus being "fruitful and multiply[ing]."

-Michael Millier

The Temptation of Joseph

The problem with sexual temptation is that it's so tempting. Learn a lesson from Joseph and say "no" to the impurity of the world.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayeshev (וישב | He settled)

Torah: Genesis 37:1-40:23

Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8

Gospel: John 2:13-4:42

Birth Pains of Messiah

Before the coming of the Messiah, the earth will go through a time of trouble, tribulation, and calamity that can be compared to the labor pains of a woman about to give birth.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayishlach (וישלח | He sent)

Torah: Genesis 32:3-36:43

Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21

Gospel: John 1:19-2:12

The Incomparable Name of Yeshua

“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name.”  (Philippians 2:9)

Recently, some of our readers have asked us why we use the name Yeshua in the place of Jesus.

Other readers challenge us to use Yahshua instead of Yeshua, believing that Yah more accurately reflects the divine nature of Yeshua and is the correct way to pronounce the name of the Jewish Messiah.

Still others think the real name of Yeshua is the derogatory Yeshu.

Which is correct?

Paul demonstrates that "the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully"

Please compare the following two passages from the same letter:

"... the Law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, kidnapping-enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine" (1Tim 1:9-11).

Then:

"Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses" (1Tim 5:19).

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.

Abraham's Great Test

Life is full of tests, but tests are easier to pass when you already know the answers. Abraham knew the answers before he took the test.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayera (וירא | He appeared)

Torah: Genesis 18:1-22:24

Haftarah: 2 Kings 4:1-37

Gospel: Luke 2:1-38

DID JESUS CHRIST SOMEHOW DISAVOW THE TORAH/LAW AS COMING FROM GOD?

As early after the death of Moses as the events of Joshua 8, the Torah given by God to Moses was called "the Torah of Moses." Do we then think that the authors of Joshua, 1-2Kings, 2Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel somehow denied the "God to Moses" connection because they all wrote, "the Torah of Moses"? Joshua's author likewise called it "the Torah of God," as did the author of Nehemiah (plus Luke and Paul). The author of 1-2Kings also called it "the Torah of YHWH," as did the author of 1-2Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, David, the author of Psa 119, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos (and Luke).

The Marriage Test

Most husbands would respond with a sharp rejoinder: "Hey, it was your bright idea, now it's your problem. Don't blame me." But Abraham was not like most husbands.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Lech Lecha (לך לך | Go forth)

Torah: Genesis 12:1-17:27

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17

An interesting insight

An interesting insight from my Israeli mentor, Yosef ["Joe"] Shulam:

"And Abram said to Lot, 'Let there please not be contention between me and you, and between my shepherds and your shepherds, for we are men [and] brethren'" (Gen 13:8).

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אַבְרָ֜ם אֶל־לֹ֗וט אַל־נָ֨א תְהִ֤י מְרִיבָה֙ בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֔יךָ וּבֵ֥ין רֹעַ֖י וּבֵ֣ין רֹעֶ֑יךָ כִּֽי־אֲנָשִׁ֥ים אַחִ֖ים אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃

Noah the Righteous Man

The Bible says that “Noah was a righteous man.” Does this mean that Noah never committed a single sin? What does it really mean to be righteous?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Noach (נח | Noah)

Torah: Genesis 6:9-11:32

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Gospel: Luke 1:5-80

The Day that is Entirely Sabbath

The weekly Sabbath celebrates the coming of the Messiah. The Sabbath offers a weekly foretaste of the era of peace and rest when Messiah will rule the earth. By keeping the Sabbath, we participate in the kingdom of heaven on earth even now.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

B'reisheet (בראשית | In the beginning)

Torah: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

A more Jewish Theory as to when Jesus Christ was probably born

(Part 2)

In Part #1 of this study we surveyed the historical evidence and noted that Dec 25th was not even mentioned in our earliest source for proposed dates of Jesus Christ's birth. Two different traditions were cited by Clément of Alexandria (c. 200 A.D.), demonstrating that even these were not certain. Both were in the Spring. Both had the 25th day of different months as possibilities. The Winter season, or Dec 25 never came up as an option until the 4th century A.D. And there were, and still are other contending dates held by ancient Christian communities. January 19 (some Armenian Christians), January 6 (most Eastern Orthodox Christians). Thus the date of Jesus Christ's birth remains in dispute, with various theories and conflicting evidence.

A more Jewish Theory as to when Jesus Christ was probably born

(Part 1)

Around 200 A.D., Clément of Alexandria, a Gentile Christian theologian in Egypt, made the first known reference to the date/s Jesus Christ was born. About the same time, Clément's student, Origen (c. 165–264 A.D.), another Gentile Egyptian Christian, mocked as “pagan” the Roman practice of celebrating birthdays. (Origen, Homily on Leviticus 8). Despite Origen’s censure -- and according to Clément, Origen’s mentor -- a couple of different days had been proposed at that time by various Christian groups. Surprising as it may seem to Roman Catholics and Protestants, Clément doesn't mention December 25 at all! 

Grace Negotiations

Moses knew that he had found favor in God's eyes. By deliberatly identifying himself with Israel, he extended that favor to the whole nation.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Sukkot on Shabbat (סוכות שבת חל המועד | Intermediate Day of Sukkot on Shabbat)

Torah: Exodus 33:12-34:26

Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18-39:16

THE CHRISTIAN'S PRIESTHOOD IS NOT MELCHIZEDEK'S

I disagree with the assertion that you or I (or any Christians) participate in the priestly order of Melchizedek. When Peter and John allude to the Christian's priesthood it is in language borrowed from the Torah/Law about Israel's priestly status.

The Levitical priesthood is post hoc Israel's national priesthood; the Melchizedek priesthood existed prior to the patriarch Israel's / Jacob's existence; more so then to his son Levi's. Yet the Levitical priesthood remains as an eternally-covenanted (Num 25:13; Jer 33:17-22) organic organization within Israel's national priesthood -- creating a hierarchy of [Levitical] high priest, over yet serving the Levitical priests and all of Israel, who [the Levitical priests] are over yet serving the Levites and all of Israel, who [the Levites] are over yet serving all of Israel, as Israel performs its national priestly duties of representing to the nations the Creator/Ruler,and of teaching Gentiles more about God and His ways.

Days of Awe, or yamim nora'im (יָמִים נוֹרָאִים)

Yom Kippur, or the "Day of Atonement," is the holiest day of the Jewish year, and provides prophetic insight regarding the Second Coming of the Messiah, the restoration of national Israel, and the final judgment of the world. It is also a day that reveals the High-Priestly work of Yeshua as our Kohen Gadol (High Priest) after the order of Malki-Tzedek (Heb. 5:10, 6:20).

Judgement Day

Why would believers in Yeshua have anything to do with a day of fasting, repentance, and atonement? Has not the Messiah already atoned for our sins?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Yom Kippur (יום כיפור | Day of Atonement)

Torah: Leviticus 16

Haftarah: Isaiah 57:14-58:14

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah

When Adam first opened his eyes and human consciousness was born, he immediately understood that the God had created all things, including himself. According to midrash, Adam's first words were, יהוה מֶלֶךְ עוֹלָם וָעֶד / Adonai malakh olam va'ed: "The LORD is King for ever and ever." God then said, "Now the whole world will know that I am King," and He was very pleased. This was the "tov me'od" (טוֹב מְאד) moment of creation, when God saw all that He had made "and found it very good" (Gen. 1:31). The birthday of humanity is therefore the Coronation Day for the King of the Universe. According to Jewish tradition, this date represents Rosh Hashanah, or the "head of the year" for humanity, when God began to rule as King over the universe He created.

Watering our Souls

Many believers behave like the foolish gardener. They espouse faith in Messiah and find relationship with God, but they do not nurture that faith and relationship by regularly watering it with the study of the Word.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Ha'azinu (האזינו | Listen)

Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

Gospel: John 20:26-21:25

A special portion for Shabbat Shuvah is applicable this Shabbat!

Shabbat Shuvah (שבת שובה | Shabbat of Return)

Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27

Good Deeds

I *do not* believe that good works just naturally flow from being born again and filled with God's Spirit. Jesus had to learn obedience (Heb 5:8). How much more then do we?!?! There is still the need to *actively* engage the will, and then to obey the Spirit, most often through obeying what is written, i.e. commandments. And friend, the "good works" associated with the New Covenant are the commandments of the Torah/Law (Deu 30:1-10 [esp vs 6, Cf vs 10]; Jer 31:33 [Cf "My law" in Jer 6:19; 9:13; 16:11; 26:4; 44:10]; Eze 11:17-20 and Eze 36:24-28 [Cf

Moses and Gethsemane

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

Moses faced his own garden of Gethsemane. In the legends and midrashim about the death of Moses, he does not go passively or willingly to his death. It seems strange that the traditional stories would paint Moses—the hero of heroes—as reluctant to accept death. Why would Moses resist striding boldly into that dark night?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Nitzavim-Vayalech (נצבים/וילך | Standing/He went)

Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9

Gospel: Luke 24:1-12/Luke 24:13-43

ANALOGY IN ROMANS 7

HAVE WE REALLY PAID ATTENTION TO PAUL'S LAW, MARRIAGE, AND REMARRIAGE ANALOGY IN ROMANS 7?

"Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another -- to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter" (Rom 7:1-6).

Imitating God

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

Just as the Holy One, blessed be He, is called Merciful, so should you be merciful, just as He is called Gracious, so should you be gracious, just as He is called Righteous, so should you be righteous; just as He is called devout, so should you be a devout one. (Sifre on Deuteronomy 10:12).

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Ki Tavo (כי תבוא | When you come in)

Torah: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22

Gospel: Luke 23:26-56

Imitating God

That you would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. (Deuteronomy 26:17)

GOD IS A GOD OF RULES

God started Adam and Eve out on *two* explicit commandments -- one a positive commandment with two parts ([1] "Be fruitful and multiply and [2] subdue the earth" -- Gen 1:28) and one a prohibition ("Of the tree ... you shall not eat" -- Gen 2:15-17; 3:3). In addition, there was the implicit commandment of Sabbath observance because God Himself blessed and sanctified the day (for whom? ... -- Gen 3:2,3) and because "the Sabbath was made for man/Adam ..." (Mar 2:27). There may have been more (E.g. "to work it and take care of it" -- Gen 2:15), but those are three commandments I can pull up on the spot.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE NEW COVENANT TO THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT, THE MOSAIC COVENANT, AND THE TORAH/LAW

 (Part #1)

Many Christians I converse with rightly acknowledge that there is some relationship between the New Covenant and the Abrahamic Covenant. The basis, however, for this acknowledgement is often incorrect.

As is plainly written, the New Covenant was promised, not to Gentiles (i.e. non-Jews), but to “… the house of Israel and to the house of Judah …” (Jer 31:31). Consequently, the common assumption which sidetracks many non-Jewish Christians as we reason through Scripture is that that we Gentiles were/are smack-dab in the center of God’s redemptive agenda and that the New Covenant was made with us. This assumption is incorrect.

The Least of the Commandments

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. (Proverbs 12:10)

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Ki Tetze (כי תצא | When you go forth)

Torah: Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-10

Gospel: Luke 23:1-25

King of the Jews

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

The commandment for the king to write a copy of the Torah demonstrates the work of Messiah. He Himself is the Word made flesh. He is the copy of the Torah in human form. Furthermore, He writes a copy of the Torah as He writes the Torah upon our hearts. The Torah of King Messiah is "written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts" (2 Corinthians 3:3).

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Shoftim (שופטים | Judges)

Torah: Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12

Gospel: Matthew 26:47-27:10

Invitation to God’s House

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

Why do people face towards Jerusalem while praying? When King Solomon dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem, he petitioned God that He might place His Name upon the Temple. He asked that God would hear from heaven and answer anyone who prayed toward that place. The LORD answered Solomon’s prayer saying, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication, which you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built by putting My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually” (1 Kings 9:3).

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Re'eh (ראה | See)

Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5

Gospel: John 16:1-17:26

Return to our "Hebrew Roots" in terms of reading Scripture

GREEK THINKING VERSUS(?) HEBREW THINKING …

Some Christians today (particularly those who, like me, have been influenced by the Messianic Movement) sometimes act as if we disciples of Yeshua/Jesus were dropped off from a different planet, with its own otherworldly culture. Or like at least disciples in Paul's and John's day were dropped off from a different planet. Commendably seeking to return to their/our "Hebrew Roots" in terms of reading Scripture, yet themselves often employing "Greek" style "either/or" thinking and argumentation (thus setting up false dichotomies), these modern disciples of Yeshua/Jesus insist that "Greek thinking" should have no place in the Christian's life.

We must prove faithful with the little things

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

"Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Ekev (עקב | Consequence)

Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25

Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3

Gospel: John 13:31-15:27

Forty Years of Preparation

Thus you are to know in your heart that the LORD your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. (Deuteronomy 8:5)

Before God can entrust us with great things, we must prove faithful with the little things. Yeshua says, "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much" (Luke 16:10). God tested the children of Israel for forty years in the wilderness before bringing them into the Promised Land to humble them and to see if they would remain faithful to His Torah.

The whole of Y’shua’s message and ministry

Parasha Va’etchanan

Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11

Isaiah 40:1-26

Matthew 23:31-39

Applying the Portion to Life Today

The greatest commandment in the entire Bible is found in parasha Va’etchanan, Devarim 6:4-9.  It is this Torah passage that Y’shua quoted when he was asked what is most vital in the Scriptures. It is this Torah passage that should be central to all lives of Bible believers.  The whole of Y’shua’s message and ministry, indeed the whole of Torah can be summed up in these few verses.  Jews for thousands of years have repeated this passage twice daily as a constant reminder of what really matters.  Let’s take a few minutes and consider in the original Hebrew terms what Y’shua said was the first and primary mitzvot.

He Who Seeks Finds

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. (Luke 11:9-10)

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Va'etchanan (ואתחנן | I pleaded)

Torah: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26

Gospel: Luke 22:13-38

A special portion for Shabbat Nachamu is applicable this Shabbat!

Shabbat Nachamu (שבת נחמו | Sabbath of comforting)

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26

These are the Words

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

A famous rebbe once stated that the opening phrase of the parashah, "These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel," is meant to teach that words of Torah should always be regarded as something new and exciting. "They should be new in your eyes every day," says Rashi. Ben Bag Bag says, "Turn it over, turn it over again, for everything is within it. Look into it and become gray haired and old in it." (m.Avot 5:22)

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Devarim (דברים | Words)

Torah: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27

Gospel: Mark 14:1-16

The Land of Israel

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

"Command the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders.'" (Numbers 34:2)

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Massei (מסעי | Journeys)

Torah: Numbers 33:1-36:13

Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:4,4:1-2

Gospel: Matthew 24:1-25:46