Vayeishev (And He Settled) B’resheet (Genesis) 37:1-40:23
Torah Portion: Vayeishev (And He Settled) B’resheet (Genesis) 37:1-40:23
Haftorah Reading: Amos 2:6-3:8
Tonight we read one of the most important Torah portions of the year. There are many points to ponder. Let’s begin with what was the basis for my question this week. This involved Reuben and his attempt to save his brother Joseph from the hands of his other brothers.
Vayishlach (And He Sent) B’resheet (Genesis) 32:4-36:43
Torah Portion: Vayishlach (And He Sent) B’resheet (Genesis) 32:4-36:43
Haftorah Reading: Obadiah 1:1-21
Tonight we read one of the pivotal moments of Yaakov’s life. It involves his meeting with his twin brother, Esau, after a separation of at least 20 years. If you remember, his mother Rebekah/Rivka sent him away to stay with her family and promised to send for him when Esau’s anger cooled. He never received that word from his mother. Rather, G-d instructed him to return home. So, we find him here in the night before meeting his brother Esau.
Think back through Yaakov’s life. How did he deal with sin, in the past and now including this meeting? What can we learn from this pattern of Yaakovs? It seems he mainly dealt with sin by running away from it rather than actually dealing with the issue. Is that a constructive way to deal with a problem?
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 11:7-13:5
In this Torah portion we read about Ya’acov/Jacob leaving the Land for the first time in his life to begin a 22 year separation from everything he had known up to this point in his life. I would imagine he was filled with fear and anxiety. I want us to spend a bit of time talking about his journey and the experiences he had that influenced him and I think speak to us in our own lives.
Tol’dot (Generations) B’resheet (Genesis) 25:19-28:9
Torah Portion: Tol’dot (Generations) B’resheet (Genesis) 25:19-28:9
Haftorah Reading: Malachi 1:1-2:7
Tonight we read a section of scripture that covers a large part of the history of Isaac, Rebekah and their son’s lives. We read about a family where decisions made caused heartaches and damage that had a long term effect on each life involved.
I would like to start our quest tonight by looking at the nature of the two sons to give us a background to help understand what happens later in their lives. Esau was the first born. He was a hairy man, a man of the field, a man’s man. He was the favorite of his father. Jacob was the second son born, scripture tells us he was “tam” meaning pure. He was a home body. He dwelt in tents.
Hayei Sarah (Life of Sarah) B’resheet/Genesis 23-25
Torah Portion: Hayei Sarah (Life of Sarah) B’resheet/Genesis 23:1-25:18
HafTorah: I Kings 1:1-31
Tonight we read a Torah portion mainly made up of two events in the life of Avraham. The first event here in Genesis 23 and the second being the search for a wife for Yitzach. When we think of these two subjects it should remind us of G-d’s promise of a land and a people to Avraham.
Concerning the first promise we read of it in these verses: B’resheet/Genesis 12:7, 13:14-17, 15:7 and 15:18-21. Five times G-d affirms His promise of land to Avraham. Also, we can find in 5 places in scripture G-d speaking of Avraham’s descendents as the stars in heaven. This promise he affirms in B’resheet/Genesis 12:2, 13:16, 15:5, 17:4-5 and lastly 22:17.
Lekh L’kha (Go) B’resheet/Genesis 12-17
Torah Portion: Lekh L’kha (Go) B’resheet/Genesis 12-17
HafTorah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16
Tonight we study one of the most pivotal Torah portions in scripture. It is a portion with insights into how we as G-d’s people are to live our life. It is also a portion that speaks to our relationship to the Jewish people.
In this Torah portion we read of G-d’s call to Avraham and Sarah. Interestingly we see today that almost half of the world’s population holds Avraham as the beginning of their faith. Jews, Muslims and Christians regard him as the spiritual ancestor of their faith.
Noah B’resheet/Genesis 6:9-11:32
Torah Portion: Noah B’resheet/Genesis 6:9-11:32
HafTorah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5
Today we study the saga of the flood and in some ways the beginning again with Noah and his family. We also read of the animals that entered into the ark. I would like to begin with a look at the word translated in English as ark. In Hebrew this word is “tevah,” which has a number of meanings. Here it is used to describe a wooden box. This is a very large box some 450 feet long.
B’resheet (In the Beginning)B’resheet/Genesis 1:1-6:8
Torah Portion: B’resheet (In the Beginning) B’resheet/Genesis 1:1-6:8
HafTorah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10
To begin our study tonight I want to mention a few Hebrew words from our reading. The second word in B’resheet/Genesis 1 is “Bara”. This word means to create and is only used when describing what G-d creates. Bara means creating from nothing. Only G-d is able to create from nothing. Man uses things or substance to form or make something new.