Bo (Come) Exodus (Sh’mot) 10-13
Torah Portion: Bo (Come) Exodus 10:1-13:16
HafTorah: Jeremiah 46:13-28
Tonight we read of the last three plagues on Egypt and the beginning of Israel’s freedom. I would like us to talk about at least two of the last three plagues.
I also want to remind us of the purpose of these plagues as stated in scripture. The purpose: “In order that they will know I am G-d.” This purpose applied to both Egypt and Israel. Israel was about to start a whole new relationship with G-d. In some ways this would be a revolution for them, a new vision, a new walk. Revolution is one of those interesting words in English. It can mean to start a whole new life as a people or as a person. It can also mean to go around 360 degrees, which puts us right back where we started. What determines which meaning applies? A 360 degree turn might happen when one is resistant to change. Pharaoh is a good example of that. He was addicted to the status quo, even when it was destructive to both him and his people.
Va’era ( I Appeared) Exodus 6-9
Torah Portion: Va’era (I Appeared) Exodus 6:2-9:35
HafTorah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
Tonight we read about the beginning of the process of Pharaoh coming to the decision of letting G-d’s people go. We read of seven of the 10 plagues and maybe most importantly, about the revelation of G-d’s Holy Name.
Sh’mot (Names) Ex. 1-6
Torah Portion: Sh’mot (Names) Exodus 1:1-6:1
HafTorah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3, Isaiah 27:6-28:13
This week we read the first Torah section of Sh’mot (Exodus). In this section we read of the birth of Moses, his flight from Egypt and then G-d’s call on him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt and return to the Land of Promise.
Vayechi (And He Lived) Gen 47-50
Torah Portion: Vayechi (And He Lived) Genesis 47:28-50:26
HafTorah: I Kings 2:1-12
Tonight we look at the remaining verses of Genesis. The Torah reading is titled, “And He lived.” However the Parasha covers mainly the preparation for death of both Joseph and Jacob. We see both men give instructions about what to do with their bodies when they die. Jacob (Yaakov) uses an interesting phrase here in Genesis 49:33, where the Torah reads, “he gathered up his feet and was gathered to his people.” I think the intention here is to show that even when Yaakov is no longer physically alive and he has passed over to be with his ancestors, his influence lives on. He never lost faith in the promises of G-d. In Hebrews 11 we see him mentioned in the blessing of his sons and in not ceasing to exist, but rather moving on to the promise of G-d.
Vayigash (He Approached) Gen 44-47
Torah Portion: Vayigash (He Approached) Genesis 44:18-47:27
HafTorah: Ezekiel 37:15-28
Tonight we read of the meeting between Joseph and his brothers, where Joseph reveals his true identity to them. Remember it had been more than 20 years since the brothers sold him into slavery. I am always struck by the question, “How could they have done such a thing to their own brother?”
Tol’dot (History) Gen 25-28
Torah Portion: Tol’dot (History) B’resheet Genesis 25-28
HafTorah: Malachi 1:1-2:7
In this section of scripture we read about the birth of twins to Rivkah and Yitzak. We read of the on going tension between the boys and the eventual leaving of Ya’acov to the home of Rivkah’s brother. This section is filled with relational issues that arise in a family and I think gives us some insight in the correct way to deal with them. This is the main thrust of what I would like to look at today.
Hayai Sarah (Sarah’s life) B’resheet Gen 23-25
Torah Portion: Hayei Sarah (Sarah’s Life) B’resheet Genesis 23-25
HafTorah: I Kings 1:1-31
Tonight our Torah section covers the death of both Sarah and of Avraham. In it we will see the biblical description of how they both lived and died. I want us to look for clues about how they dealt with life and for clues that gives us an idea of what G-d requires of each of us in this world. Life is more than surviving it is how we enter each day and how we live those days. In our world, in fact also in the world of Avraham and Sarah, it is easier to just go along. It is easier to not make waves and lose ourselves in work or thinking only of our own lives.
Vayera (He Appeared) B’resheet Gen 18-24
Torah Portion: Vayera (He Appeared) B’resheet Genesis 18:1-22:24
HafTorah: II Kings 4:1-37
Tonight we look at a large part of the life of Avraham and Sarah. Last week we read about Sarah telling Avraham to take her maid servant and have a child by her since she was getting old and did not have a child. Then this week we read of the men (angels) coming to visit Avraham and Sarah and announcing that in a year she would conceive and bear a child. In chapter 21:9-11 we read of Sarah telling Avraham to send Hagar and her child away. He does not want to do this. So I want us to take a bit of time and look at this and see what we can learn about this woman.
Lekh L’Kha (B’resheet) Gen 12-17
Torah Portion: Lekh L’kha (B’resheet) Genesis 12:1-17:27
HafTorah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16
Today we are introduced to Avram, later to become Avraham. He is person who is revered by well over half the world’s population. Think about it, he never became a ruler of a nation, wandered much of his life, yet he is looked at as the foundational person in the spiritual life of billions. Why is this? I think the answer lies in this Torah portion.
Noah (B’resheet) Genesis 6-11
Torah Portion: Noah (B’resheet) Genesis 6:9-11:32
HafTorah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5
Tonight we look at the Torah portion Noah. It covers the flood and in some ways, the second creation, in that G-d judged the earth saving only Noah and his family, which are the ancestors of each of us. We go on to see the erection of the Tower of Babel, which G-d stopped by confusing the languages of the people of the earth, thus dispersing them across the face of the earth. The portion ends by introducing us to Avram for the first time.