Tetzaveh (You are to order)Exodus 27-30
Torah Portion: Tetzaveh (You Are To Order)(Sh’mot) Exodus 27:20-30:10
Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 43:10-27
In this Torah Portion we read about the clothing of the priest and their duties as priest. In fact, one entire chapter is set aside to describe the clothes of the High Priest that he was to wear for honor and glory. However, the portion begins with the last two verses of chapter 27 that speaks of the eternal light that was to burn continually before the veil in the Mishkan. The portion ends with a description of the altar of incense. Why do you think this division was used when the portion last week was devoted to the furnishing of the Mishkan? Why separate these two things out? It could be that scripture is saying here that the priests and their duties were to reflect these two vessels. Light symbolizing wisdom, and the Sprit of G-d and ending with the altar of incense, which might symbolize the priests prayers being lifted to G-d. This seems like a spiritual message to us as we continue to look at the clothing of the priests and the offerings. It should also speak to us as believers today as we go about each day to always be aware of who we are and what our life is to be.
T’rumah (Offering) Sh’mot Exodus 25-27
Torah Portion: T’rumah (Offering)(Sh’mot) Exodus 25:1-27:19
Haftorah Reading: I Kings 5:26-6:13
This week we read of the gathering of materials to build the Mishkan or Tabernacle. In the opening verses there are several interesting points to ponder. For example, in Exodus 25:8-9 we read where after listing the things to be brought in verse 8, G-d says, ”And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” In verse 9 we read, “that is the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishing, just so shall you make it.” The interesting part of these two verses is that in verse 8 the word used for sanctuary is Mikdash, which actually is the word used later for the Temple in Jerusalem. Verse 9 speaks of the Mishkan or Tabernacle that they are about to build. So what, if anything, are we to make of this difference? I expect it was the quality of G-d that knows no yesterday, or tomorrow. Everything with G-d is already – there are no limitations of time. So maybe it was G-d’s way of encouraging the people by saying that He would always be with them and whether it was a Tabernacle or Temple He was there. Either of these buildings were just a means or symbol of their faith in Him who in this portion says He will always be there no matter where they are. I think this should encourage us as we go through our life as believers. Our faith does not rest on a place but on the indwelling presence of G-d and knowing no matter what He is with us.
Yitro (Jethro Sh’mot Exodus 18-23
Torah Portion: Yitro (Jethro)(Sh’mot) Exodus 18:1-20:23
Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6
This week we read the Torah portion Yitro. It is one of only two Torah portions named for a non-Jew and for a further point this portion contains the Ten Commandments and the ceremony where Israel agrees to submit to G-d. So why, with all of this, would this section carry the name of a non-Jew? In some ways the answer is part of the correct response to my question of the week.
B’shallach (After he had let go) Exodus 13-17
Torah Portion: B’shallach (After he had let go)(Sh’mot) Exodus 13:17-17:16
Haftorah Reading: Judges 4:4-5:31
Tonight we read a Torah portion that has many important themes some of which we will cover tonight. In English this book carries the name Exodus and in this portion we read of the beginning of this forty year process which in and of itself has much to say to us.
To get us started I would like to cover the question I sent out this week which had to do with the waters of Marah and the manna that fell each day, except for Shabbat.
Va’era (And I Appeared) Sh’mot 6-9
Torah Portion: Va’era (And I Appeared)(Sh’mot) Exodus 6:2-9:35
Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
Tonight we read seven of the ten plagues that G-d brought upon the Egyptians and Pharaoh. We also read, at the beginning of the portion, the introduction of His name to Moshe and the Jewish people. I want us to spend some time on this but first I would like to look at a few other points that I think speak to us in our world today.
Sh’mot (Names) Exodus 1-6
Torah Portion: Sh’mot (Names) Exodus 1:1-6:1
Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
Tonight we begin the second book of the Torah – Sh’mot (Exodus). It begins by listing the seventy people of Jacob’s family who came to Egypt from Israel and begins with introducing the hardships of the people under the rule of Pharaoh. In this section we read of the naming of Moshe and also the introduction of the Holy Name of G-d. I would like to cover several important topics tonight that I believe have a direct impact on our spiritual life.
Vayechi (He lived) (B’resheet) 47-50
Torah Portion: Vayechi(He Lived) (B’resheet) Genesis 47-50
Haftorah Reading: I Kings 2:1-12
This is the last Torah portion of the book of B’resheet/Genesis. In it we read of the death of both Jacob and Joseph. Yet, interesting the portion is titled, “And He Lived”. Always in Torah when we come across something like this we can be assured that G-d ‘s making a spiritual point for us.
Vayigash (He Approached) B’resheet Gen 44-47
Torah Portion: Vayigash (He Approached) (B’resheet) Genesis 44-47
Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 37:15-28
This week we read of the meeting between Joseph and his brothers where he reveals himself to them after years of being separated. We read in Genesis 44:18 where Yehuda whispered in his ear and pleaded for his brother, even offering to take his place. Unlike years before when Yehuda came up with the idea of not killing Joseph but selling him into slavery. However, here we see Yehudah when faced again with such a choice, has a different reaction. He chose to basically give himself for his brother. This action by Yehudah had an immediate effect on Joseph.
Mikketz (At the End)(B’resheet) Gen 41-44
Torah Portion: Mikketz (At The End) (B’resheet) Genesis 41-44
Haftorah Reading: I Kings 3:15-4:1
Tonight we read the Torah portion Mikketz and we celebrate the seventh night of Chanukkah. I would like to explore the connection between the two by using a Hebrew word, “bitachon,” which means trust. But first a few words about the holiday. Chanukkah does not appear in the Hebrew scriptures. The events that serve as the foundation of the holiday take place in the 160’s BCE. The Greek king Antiochus ruled over Israel at the time. He suffered defeat in a war against Egypt and as a result dealt severely with Israel on his way back home.
Vayetze (And He Went Out) B’resheet Gen 28-32
Torah Portion: Vayetze (And He Went Out) (B’resheet) Genesis 28-32
Haftorah Reading: Hosea 12:13-14:10
This Torah section is filled with spiritual lessons for us form beginning to end. From these verses we can learn much from Ya’acov and his approach to his relationship with the Father. I would like to begin at the beginning of this section where we see Ya’acov leaving Israel and going to Haran. He was leaving the place where scripture says, “G-d’s eyes are on it from the beginning of the day until its end”, and travel to a place which had no thought of G-d, a place of deception and trickery. He came to a certain place near what would later become Jerusalem and laid down to sleep, putting a rock down for his head.