Mishpatim (Rulings) Shemot (Exodus) 21:1-24:18
Mishpatim (Rulings) Shemot (Exodus) 21:1-24:18 HafTorah: Jer. 34:8-22; 33:25-26 1.Exodus 23:7 is the only one of the “thou shall not” of the Torah where G-d tells us more than “thou shall not.” Here G-d says, “Flee from lying” or stay far away from falsehood. Why is that? Are there other verses in scripture that has […]
Yitro (Jethro) Shemot (Exodus) 18:1-20:26 HafTorah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6
Yitro (Jethro) Shemot (Exodus) 18:1-20:26 HafTorah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6 1.G-d was preparing to speak to the Israelites but in Exodus 20:15-16 the children of Israel became afraid when they heard the thunder and sound of the shofar. They backed away and distanced themselves from G-d. They asked Moses to hear G-d for them and relate His […]
Beshalach Exodus 13:17-17:16
Torah Portion: Beshalach Exodus 13:17-17:16 HafTorah: Judges 4:4-5:31 1.The people complain four times in this portion. The second time is at the bitter waters of Marah. Do you remember where you have heard this word Marah before? Ruth’s Mother in law said to call her Marah after her husband and sons had died. Ruth 1:19-20 […]
Bo (Come) Exodus 10:1-13:16, Jeremiah 46:13-28
1.Beginning in Exodus 12:2 and following G-d told Israel to mark their calendar – to reckon time based on what had transpired. Why would this be important to them? Can you draw any parallels to this in your own life? If you think back to Genesis, scripture starts with the creation story told by using […]
Va’era or I appeared. Sh’mot/Exodus 6:2-9:35
Va’era or I appeared. Sh’mot/Exodus 6:2-9:35. 1.Let us start our study by clarifying what was G-d’s purpose of the plagues? I.To rescue G-d’s people(Exodus 6:6) II.So the children of Israel would know Him (Ex 10:2) III.So Pharaoh and all Egypt would know G-d (Ex 5:2, Exodus 7:2-5) IV. To introduce G-d to the entire […]
Sh’mot (Names) Sh’mot/Exodus 1:1-6:1
1.To begin our study what is the difference between faith and trust in G-d – if any? Faith means at its foundation what? “I believe in G-d and He can do as He wants.” In some sense, faith and trust can be interchangeable. However trust is deeper than faith. Sometimes we have faith in G-d yet […]
Vayechi “And He Lived” Genesis 47:28-50:26
1.The name of our Torah section is Vayechi or And he lived, yet it mainly covers the death of Jacob. There is another Torah section that follows the same pattern. Chayei Sarah or Life of Sarah, Genesis 23 also mainly talks of her death and burial. So what is the Torah trying to tell us […]
Vayigash (And He Approached) B’resheet/Genesis 44:18-47:27
1.Can we tell by reading this Torah portion if the brothers repented for what they did? Who was the first person in scripture to repent? What does true repentance look like? In Judaism it is taught that Judah was the first true repentant based on this meeting between himself and Joseph. As history unfolds we […]
Meketz (At the end) Genesis 41:1-44:17.
Our Torah portion is called Meketz (At the end) Genesis 41:1-44:17. 1-a In B’resheet/Genesis 37:25-26 Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit, sat down to eat a meal and then sold him into slavery. Then in B’resheet/Genesis 44:9 When the brother’s bags were being searched for the stolen cup we read where the brothers said, “Who is found with it from your […]
Vayeishev (He Continued Living) B’Resheet (Gen.) 37:1-40:23
1.Genesis 40:14 says, “But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.” What actually happened? In Genesis 41:1 it says, “When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream…” and the cup bearer remembered Joseph. What does this part of Joseph’s story of waiting two full years say […]