Thursday, December 17, 2015

The Present Indicative

"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days ... which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [substance] is of Christ. (Col 2:16,17).

Joseph held no animosity toward his brothers. He could see how God had used his life to bring a great deliverance.

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

Exaltation of Messiah

What goes up, must come down, but in the kingdom of heaven, what goes down, must go up.

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

Blessed Hanukkah

Celebrate Yeshua
and the Festival of Lights.

"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)

The Shamash (servant candle) sits higher on the Hanukkah menorah
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).

All over the world, the Jewish People will be lighting their hanukkiahs (Hanukkah menorahs) in remembrance of the miracles that God performed about 2,200 years ago in Jerusalem.

Perez and Zerah

Tamar's twins, Perez and Zerah, both had the potential to be ancestors of the Messiah. Like Jacob and Esau wrestling in the womb, they competed for the privilege.

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

(Genesis 33:11)
Kislev 15, 5776/November 27, 2015

After a long day of meticulous preparations, and a sleepless night spent wrestling with a mysterious stranger, Yaakov is at last ready to meet his estranged brother Esau. He has prepared for every eventuality, presenting generous gifts for Esau, hoping to appease him, and dissuade him from carrying out his decades old threat to kill his brother Yaakov; he has armed his people, readying them for war, should that prove necessary; and he has prayed to G-d , reminding G-d of His promise to return him peacefully to the land of his fathers, despite his acknowledged unworthiness.

The Power of the Tongue

Did Jacob's rash words kill his beloved wife? The story of Rachel’s death teaches us an important lesson about the power of the tongue.

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

Stairway to Heaven

Yeshua bridged the space between heaven and earth. He is the ladder to heaven upon which angelic forces descend and ascend.

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

(Genesis 27:27)
Kislev 1, 5776/November 13, 2015

In one of the most tender and dramatic moments we encounter in the book of Genesis,Yaakov, encouraged and assisted by his mother Rivka, is engaged in deceiving his blind father Yitzchak into thinking that he is his brother Esau, in order to receive his father's blessing. The deception is proceeding more or less as planned, but nevertheless, Yitzchakis perplexed. "The voice is the voice of Yaakov, but the hands are the hands of Esau."(Genesis 27:24) Yitzchak calls his son to come closer to kiss his father. And when he does Yitzchak receives the proof that he needs that this is the right son. This is the son meant to receive his blessing.

"And he came closer, and he kissed him, and he smelled the fragrance of his garments, and he blessed him, and he said, 'Behold, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field, which HaShem has blessed!'" (ibid 27:27)

What exactly did Yitzchak smell? What is the "fragrance of the field"? And why did it confirm for Yitzchak that this was the son to be blessed?

The godly person accepts the half-hearted apology without demanding more than a person's dignity will allow.

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

By Menachem Posner

Shabbat (the Sabbath) is the centerpiece of Jewish life, and has been so since the infancy of our nation. According to the Talmud, Shabbat is equal to all the other commandments. Shabbat is so central to Jewish life

Shabbat is the centerpiece of Jewish life that the term shomer Shabbat (Shabbat observer) is synonymous with “religious Jew” in common parlance.

Shabbat is a day of rest and celebration that begins on Friday at sunset and ends on the following evening after nightfall. Let’s have a look at the history, importance and observances of this day.

And he loved her

(Genesis 24:67)
MarCheshvan 24, 5776/November 6, 2015

Love. Where does it come from? What is its source? The first time love - ahavah in Hebrew - is mentioned in Torah is in last week's parasha, in which G-d , speaking toAvraham, refers to Yitzchak as "your son, your only one, whom you love." (Genesis 22:2) And the second time love is mentioned in Torah is in this week's reading of Chayei Sara, in which we read, "And Yitzchak brought her to the tent of Sara his mother, and he took Rivka, and she became his wife, and he loved her." (ibid 24:67)

The world has plenty of religions and ideologies for sale, each one clamoring for attention like obnoxious salesmen. What do we have to offer the world?

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

(Genesis 22:13)
MarCheshvan 17, 5776/October 30, 2015

Vayera - "Now HaShem appeared to him," (to Avraham), opens up this week's Torah reading. Avraham is experiencing an encounter with G-d . And then Avraham "lifted his eyes and saw." (Genesis 18:1) Avraham assessed his immediate surroundings in the context of his encounter with G-d . He saw three men and he ran to do them a kindness, to give them respite from the heat of the day, to feed and water them. He took the unspoken message he had received from G-d and translated it into a positive deed, a deed reflecting G-d's will.

Go!

(Genesis 12:1)
MarCheshvan 10, 5776/October 23, 2015

Like an old fashioned western, our patriarch Avraham, (under the alias Avram), appears out of nowhere, on the horizon, his back to the east, heading westward to the promised land of Canaan. Who is he? Where is he coming from? What did he do to earn G-d's urgent voice message: "Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you. And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will aggrandize your name, and you shall be a blessing. And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you." (Genesis 12:1-3)

In Hebrew, G-d's entire command and promise that He made to Avraham can be summed up in the first two words of G-d's message: "lech lecha," which also serves as the name of this week's Torah reading. In Hebrew the two words are spelled identically, each one containing the same two letters. In essence, everything that you and I are today, everything that the world is today, the very promise for tomorrow that keeps us moving forward, is contained and conveyed in these two letters which form the words "lech lecha."

God loves all His creatures, but He has a special affection for Israel. Why does God love the Jewish people?

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

Noah: A Righteous Man

A double rainbow over the Golan Heights

Shabbat Shalom,

Welcome to Parasha Noach (Noah), this week’s Torah portion.

This is the portion of Scripture that will be read in synagogues around the world during the Shabbat (Saturday) service. We invite you to read along with us; we know you will be blessed as you rediscover the importance of covenant and unity!

Parasha Noach (Noah / Rest)

Genesis 6:9–11:32; Isaiah 54:1–55:5; 1 Peter 3:8–22

“This is the account of Noah and his family.” (Genesis 6:9)

In last week’s Torah portion (Parasha), we restarted the cycle of the weekly study of the Word of God from the very beginning with the study by the same name:Bereisheet (In the Beginning).

This week, we continue our study in the first book of Moses with the Biblical character of Noah — the only righteous man of his generation.

“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.” (Genesis 6:9)

When Noah was born, his parents named him Noach, saying, “This one will give us rest…”

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

Where is God? According to the Torah, this is the wrong question entirely. The real question is, "Where are you?"

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

B'reisheet (בראשית | In the beginning)

Torah: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah).

Rejoice with us today on Simchat Torah!

At 8 a.m. this morning, the synagogues here in Israel were packed as we read the last pages of Devarim (Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12) and the beginning of Bereisheet (Genesis).

The reading of the yearly Torah cycle comes to an end with the blessings that Moses pronounces before his death over each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

These blessings echo Jacob's blessings over his 12 sons five generations earlier. With them Moses prepares each tribe with its role within Israel.

In this Torah portion for Simchat Torah, which is called V'zot Habrachah (and this is the blessing), Moses ascends Mount Nebo. From that summit, he is allowed to see the Promised Land, but not enter. He dies in the Land of Moab, and to this day, only Adonai knows where he is buried.

Moses Viewing the Promised Land
(Illustration from Our Day in the Light of
Prophecy and Providence, 1921)

Sukkot and the Protective Covering of God

A lulav and etrog (citron)

Moadim L'Simcha (Appointed Times for Joy) and Shabbat Shalom!

During the weeklong festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles), the regular Parasha (Torah portion) for Shabbat is suspended, and a special Parasha pertaining to the holiday is read in synagogues around the world.

Please read along with us and learn how Sukkot represents the sheltering presence of God. We know you will be blessed, especially in light of current events!

Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot
Exodus 33:12–34:26; Ezekiel 38:18–39:16; Revelation 21:1–22:21

“Behold, I make a covenant: before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord: for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.” (Exodus 34:10)

(Leviticus 23:42)
Tishrei 19, 5776/October 2, 2015

For seven weeks the entire nation of Israel has been involved in a great spiritual exercise. It began in the month of Elul, a month of introspection and reflection on our failings as well as our aspirations. These four weeks are accompanied by selichot - special supplications and liturgical songs announcing our culpability and beseeching G-d's mercy.Elul is followed immediately by Rosh HaShana, the day in which we coronate G-d as King of all creation, the anniversary of the day G-d created Adam, our great great grandfather. On the tenth of Tishrei is Yom Kippur, a day of fasting and intense prayer, in which we transform ourselves into angelic beings, worthy, we hope, of standing before G-d and meriting His forgiveness. Four days later we shed our angel's wings and white robes and submerge ourselves into a world of intensified physicality: this is the world of Sukkot, surprisingly, perhaps, the climax of our seven week spiritual journey.

Yom Kippur: The Day of Repentance, Prayer, and Fasting

"This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work ... because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a Sabbath of rest [Shabbat Shabbaton], and you must deny yourselves." (Leviticus 16:29–31)

The holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year begins tonight: Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement).

This day is so important that the Torah calls it the Shabbat Shabbaton(Sabbath of Sabbaths).

The Torah is like water which begins in a high place and descends to a low place.

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

(Deuteronomy 31:19)
Tishrei 12, 5776/September 25, 2015

"And now, write for yourselves this song, and teach it to the children of Israel."(Deuteronomy 31:19) Thus, writing a song was commanded by G-d to be Moshe's final act on earth before blessing his people and being gathered up unto his fathers. This beautiful commandment, and the "swan song" it inspired, are an amazing testimony to the depth and perfection of the Torah G-d gifted to Israel.

Shana Tova uMatuka - Blessings for a Good and Sweet New Year!

Pax Christi Campus Ministry and Chi Alpha Omega extends to all our friends and loyal supporters, to all those who long for and work toward reaching the Campus Community and the Out-of-School (Children, Youths and Adults), to the entire Archipelago of the Philippines and to all G-d fearing people around the world, our wishes for a good and sweet year of blessings and plenty, health and happiness.

Elul 29, 5775/September 13, 2015

"And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no manner of servile work; it is a day of blowing the horn unto you. And you shall prepare a burnt-offering for a sweet savor unto HaShem: one young bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs of the first year without blemish; and their meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for the bullock, two tenth part for the ram, and one tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs; and one he-goat for a sin-offering, to make atonement for you; beside the burnt-offering of the new moon, and the meal-offering thereof, and the continual burnt-offering and the meal-offering thereof, and their drink-offerings, according unto their ordinance, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto HaShem." (Numbers 29:1-6)

The high holidays are a time of strict judgment in the court of heaven, but we need not fear. The frightening judge on the throne of glory is still our Father in heaven.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayelech (וילך | He went)

Torah: Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Haftarah: Isaiah 55:6-56:8

Gospel: Luke 24:13-43

A special portion for Shabbat Shuvah is read this Shabbat!

Shabbat Shuvah (שבת שובה | Shabbat of Return)

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

(Deuteronomy 31:1)
Tishrei 5, 5776/September 18, 2015

"And Moshe went... " (Deuteronomy 31:1) To where did Moshe go? Torah does not provide us with this information, and the sages of Israel have expressed different opinions as to Moshe's intended destination. We read this Torah selection, parashat Vayelech("And he went") this Shabbat which falls between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. This unique Shabbat, known as Shabbat Shuva, the Sabbath of Repentance, presents us all with an expanded and enhanced opportunity to do teshuva - to return to ourselves and draw nearer to G-d , as well as the challenge to rise above ourselves and draw nearer to our fellow human beings. It's all part of the month long build up to the Days of Awe - Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur - and the cosmic opening up of G-d's arms, as it were, to receive His returning children.

The Greatness of Repentance

There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine who do not need to repent.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Nitzavim (נצבים | Standing)

Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20

Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9

Gospel: Luke 24:1-12

(Deuteronomy 30:15)
Elul 27, 5775/September 11, 2015

"Behold, I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil." (Deut. 30:15)

"I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse." (ibid 30:19)

In his final day on this earth, Moshe rabbenu (Moses our master) is summarizing for his people the entire breadth and depth of Torah, the entirety of its message and teaching in a few short but immensely profound words and phrases. The children of Israel are about to enter the promised land of Canaan. This is their ancestral homeland, the land ofAvraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. Moshe, who won't be joining his people in crossing the river, wants to be certain that they have a clear understanding of the undertaking that lies before them. Not merely the conquest and settling of the land, but, more importantly, the establishment of a Torah society, a civilization whose compass and centerpoint, whose lodestone and north star is the holy Torah whose words Israel embraced and swore allegiance to even as they heard the very first "I am HaShem your G-d" thunder forth at Sinai. (Exodus 24:7)

Twinkling of an Eye

Don't blink! You might miss it. When the redemption comes, things will change in the blink of an eye.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Re'eh (ראה | See)

Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5 (Shabbat Rosh Chodesh: Isaiah 66:1 - 66:24)

Gospel: John 16:1-17:26

Self Righteousness

Never rely on your own good deeds or assume that God is blessing you because you deserve it.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Ekev (עֵקֶב | Consequence)

Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25

Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3

Gospel: John 13:31-15:27

(Deuteronomy 11:23)
Av 22, 5775/August 7, 2015

Three times in this week's Torah reading of Eikev, Moshe warns the children of Israel against falling prey to the allure of the idolatries she will confront when entering and settling the land of Israel. In verse twenty five of chapter seven (Deuteronomy), Israel is warned against coveting the silver or gold images of idolatry, "lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to HaShem, your G-d." Again, in chapter eight, verse nineteen, Israel is told she "will surely perish," should she be seduced by idolatry. Finally, in chapter eleven, verse sixteen, Israel is told, "Beware, lest your heart be misled, and you turn away and worship strange gods and prostrate yourselves before them."

Upon Your Heart

Under the new covenant, God will actually change our nature, circumcising our hearts as it were, to remove from us the waywardness of our evil inclinations.

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 read this Shabbat!

Shabbat Nachamu (שבת נחמו | Sabbath of comforting)

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26

Two Wrongs Don't Make Repentance

When we have done something wrong, we should not try to correct the error with another wrong. Spiritual maturity requires us to accept the consequences of our actions.

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

ALS - Chi Alpha Omega

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Friday, December 11, 2015

Friday, December 4, 2015

Friday, November 27, 2015

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

By Menachem Posner

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Friday, October 23, 2015

Friday, October 16, 2015

Friday, October 2, 2015

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Friday, September 18, 2015

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Friday, July 31, 2015

Friday, July 24, 2015