ALS - Chi Alpha Omega

Friday, November 28, 2014

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

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).

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

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.

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

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).