A Successful Man

Because of Joseph's steadfast confidence in God, he possessed an undying optimism that transformed even the low estate of slavery into success.

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

Remember me when things go well

(Genesis 40:14)

Kislev 23, 5777/December 23, 2016

"Yaakov dwelt in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan." (Genesis 37:1) So this week's Torah reading begins, and it sounds like we are in for a happy ending to our saga. Yaakov, after a lifetime of travails, is ready to settle down with his twelve sons in the land promised to him by G-d, and live out his day, happily ever after. That, at least, seems to be what Yaakov had in mind. But G-d, as so often is the case, had other plans. And far from a happy ending, parashat Vayeshev ends on the edge of a precipice: "But the chief cupbearer did not remember Yosef, and he forgot him." (ibid 40:23)

Jacob the Wrestler

Does it ever feel like the life of faith is a constant struggle? Is it sometimes hard to hold on to God? Learn a lesson from Jacob the wrestler.

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

Then this stone, which I have placed as a monument, shall be a house of G-d

(Genesis 28:21)

Kislev 9, 5777/December 9, 2016

So much happening in this week's Torah reading, Vayeitzei! Time itself seems compressed, as Yaakov flees his brother Esav, weds first Leah, then Rachel, fathers twelve children by his two wives and their maidservants, works twenty years for Lavan, and raises his own herd before returning to the land of Canaan, all this reported by Torah in staccato fashion, adding a sense of urgency and breathlessness. Yaakov himself, is profoundly effected by this enigmatic time warp: "So Yaakov worked for Rachel seven years, but they appeared to him like a few days because of his love for her." (Genesis: 29:20)

The Ideal Family

Don't feel badly if your family seems dysfunctional. Jacob's family was dysfunctional too, and so were most of the biblical families.

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

May HaShem give you of the dew of the heavens

(Genesis 27:28-29)
Kislev 2, 5777/December 2, 2016

The drama of parashat Toldot focuses around the struggle between Yaakov and his brother Esav, which begins while they are still in mother Rivka's womb, and continues to this very day. This week's Torah reading opens with their birth and the subsequent sale of Esav's birthright to Yaakov, and reaches its dramatic crescendo with Yaakov'ssubterfuge and the blessing he received from father Yitzchak as a result thereof, and Esav's exasperated cries of defeat and revenge for his perceived suffering.

The Friend of God

What did Abraham do to be called the friend of God?

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

Yea, Yitzchak

(Genesis 22:2)
Marcheshvan 17, 5777/November 18, 2016

Avraham avinu's (our patriarch Avraham) life was full of trials. G-d kept testing the limits of Avraham's faith in Him. Each test seemed to push Avraham one step further, ultimately culminating in the great test of the binding of Yitzchak. Why was G-d testing Avraham? Was He expecting Avraham to fail? Or to take a stand and say "No further, G-d. I refuse to be submitted to yet another test?"

Avraham, on the other hand, often questioned G-d's actions, or expressed some doubt as to the viability of G-d's promises to him. Avraham argued with G-d , albeit with great deference, over the fate of the inhabitants of Sodom. Avraham asked G-d more than once if he will ever have children and proposed his servant Eliezer as his heir to the inheritance G-d promised him, despite G-d's steady insistence that Avraham would indeed have progeny.

All Things Created for Him

Though millions of men and women filled the world, God chose one man. Why did God choose Abraham? The rabbis say that he chose him as the rock on which to build the world.

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

Man of the earth

(Genesis 9:20)
Marcheshvan 3, 5777/November 4, 2016

Noach is referred to by Torah as "a righteous man," "pure in his generations," (Genesis 6:9) and later, as "a man of the earth." (ibid 9:20) Righteous and pure are obvious praises of Noach's moral stature. In a generation characterized by Torah as thoroughly depraved and riddled by decadence, (and later described by our sages as the absolute most evil generation in all history), Noach's righteousness and purity shone like a beacon that, alas, not one among his contemporaries was willing to honor or heed.

The Door in the Ark

God commanded Noah to place a door on the side of the ark. In Chasidic teaching, the door in the ark symbolizes repentance.

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 Way of the Tree of Life

Did you know that you are an exile? Much as the Jewish people endure the punishment of exile from the holy land, all humanity suffers in exile—driven from the delights of paradise and the potential of eternal life.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

B'reisheet (בראשית | In the beginning)

Torah: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

Moses Negotiated for Forgiveness

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.

A special portion for Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot is read this Shabbat!

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

Torah: Exodus 33:12-34:26

Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18-39:16

Spiritually Flabby

Staying in good physical condition requires regular exercise and self-discipline. Staying in good spiritual shape requires no less effort.

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

Shuvah Yisrael

We call the Sabbath that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur "Shabbat Shuvah" which means "the Sabbath of Repentance."

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

The Circumcision of Messiah

In the Messianic Era, man’s natural inclination will be to choose the good." — Nachmanides

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

Standing this day before HaShem

(Deuteronomy 29:9)
Elul 27, 5776/September 30, 2016

One of the shortest parshiot (weekly reading selections) of the Torah, containing words spoken by Moshe to Israel on the last day of his life, Nitzavim is is packed full with one inspirational and motivating verse after another. Moshe has spent many of his final words over the final thirty seven days of his life, (which make up the book of Deuteronomy), castigating his beloved people, both for sins they have committed in the past and for transgressions he suspects they will commit in the future. However, from the opening words of this week's parasha, "You are all standing this day before HaShem, your G-d," (Deuteronomy 29:9) Nitzavim is a paean and a tribute to the entire nation of Israel, which, despite its flaws, remains the apple of G-d's eye and faithful to the mission and the vision G-d has set before it.

AGAPE IS NOT ALWAYS A SUPERIOR FORM OF LOVE, OR EVEN GODLY OR GOOD. (Part #3)

Now let's turn again to John's gospel. First we'll look at Joh 3:35:

"The Father loves (AGAPA -- from AGAPE) the Son and has placed everything in his hands."

Then we'll examine a very similar sentence a couple of chapters later:

"For the Father loves (PHILEI -- from PHILEO) the Son and shows him all he does" (Joh 5:20).

Both verbs are linguistically in the same "slot" in the sentence, with the same Greek syntactic structure (for those interested-- ind. pres. act. 3PS), and fulfilling the same semantic role. If AGAPE and PHILEO were automatically different kinds of love -- by virtue of the words alone -- you would not expect to find this kind of synonymous usage in the NT writings. But there it is for all to see. In some passages of Scripture PHILEO and AGAPE simply stand for the same thing; the contexts provide the clues as to actual meaning. Not some contrived definitions which do not match the biblical evidence.

The altar of HaShem, your G-d

(Deuteronomy 26:4)
Elul 20, 5776/September 23, 2016

"And it will be, when you come into the land which HaShem, your G-d, gives you for an inheritance, and you possess it and settle in it, that you shall take of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you will bring from your land, which HaShem, your G-d, is giving you. And you shall put them into a basket and go to the place which HaShem, your G-d, will choose to have His Name dwell there. And you shall come to the kohen who will be serving in those days, and say to him, 'I declare this day to HaShem, your G-d, that I have come to the land which the Lord swore to our forefathers to give us.' And the kohen will take the basket from your hand, laying it before the altar of HaShem, your G-d." (Deuteronomy 26:1-4)

Imitating God

The Torah commands us to "walk" in the ways of God, but how can mortal human beings walk like the Almighty?

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

Love and War

A soldier in a heathen army would have no compunction over taking, raping, and disposing of a captive woman. Not so in the army of the LORD.

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

The Mysterious Prophet

Who is the mysterious "prophet like Moses" that God promised to raise up in the future? What does a prophet like Moses look like?

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

Invest in Heaven

A wise businessman invests his money in things that will turn a profit and bring him a good return in this world. How much more so should we invest in the kingdom and the world to come.

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

Children of HaShem, your G-d

(Deuteronomy 14:1)
Av 29, 5776/September 2, 2016

"You are children of HaShem, your G-d ." (Deuteronomy 14:1) We all know that we are the children of Adam, who was created by G-d and in whom G-d placed the breath of life. But now G-d is calling us His children. He is not just our Creator, but we are His sons and daughters. This is certainly an 'upgrade' in our status. A creator can create and move on. A father is present for us. Always.

By Bread Alone?

What does the miracle of manna signify? According to the Torah, the manna teaches that man does not live through material things.

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

He fed you with manna

(Deuteronomy 8:3)
Av 22, 5776/August 26, 2016

"And He... fed you with manna [and] your clothing did not wear out upon you, nor did your foot swell these forty years." (Deuteronomy 8:3-4) In this week's Torah reading,Eikev, Moshe is describing to the children of Israel G-d's special care for them throughout their forty year desert sojourn. All apparent dangers which came to threaten Israel throughout their journey from Egypt to the promised land were merely measures employed by G-d to edify His people and teach them that He is watching over them. Food from heaven that you don't need to labor for, clothing that never grows threadbare and and a path beneath your feet that never allows your feet to ache or swell no matter the day's passage... this is heaven on earth, literally, a Garden of Eden, where man's needs are entirely the responsibility of G-d !

The Commandment of Loving God

Yeshua demonstrated His love for the Father by living a life of total obedience to Him.

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

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