Va’era ( I Appeared) Exodus 6:2-9:35
Va’era ( I Appeared) Exodus 6:2-9:35 1.What was G-d’s purpose for the plagues? In Exodus 9:16 we read where not only will G-d’s Name be known in Egypt but in the whole earth. So the plagues were a direct face-off between the G-d of the Israelites and the gods of the Egyptians, a demonstration of G-d’s absolute […]
Shemot Exodus 1:1-6:1HafTorah: Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23
1.In our Torah portion we see people who had choices to make. Some made good choices some did not. How many people do you find making choices that took courage in this Torah portion? What is our message here? First of all, we have Moses’ Mother Jochebed. She had the courage to first hide her son instead […]
Vayechi (And He Lived) B’resheet (Gen.) 47-50 Haftorah Reading: I Kings 2:1-12
1.Genesis 47:27, in Hebrew says “Israel dwelt (yoshev) in Egypt.” Then the next verse, which is the beginning of this Torah portion, says, “Jacob lived (chai) in the land of Egypt. Is there a difference in these two phrases and if so what can we learn from this difference? Maybe Jacob/Israel physically lived in Egypt […]
Mikketz and Vayigash (And He Approached) B’resheet/Gen 44:18-47:27
Mikketz (And Then It Came to Pass) B’resheet/Genesis 41:1-44:17 Haftorah Reading: I Kings 3:15-4:1 1.In Genesis 42:21-22 the brothers blamed their plight on how they treated Joseph when they threw him in the pit. Were the brothers remorseful for what they had done and for their hatred and jealousy they felt toward their younger brother? Is […]
Vayeishev Genesis 37:1-40:23
1A.Make a list of events that happened to Joseph in his life. How would you describe his reactions to these things as they were happening to him? What does this tell us about Joseph? 1B.Can you think of something that happened in your life that was difficult or painful and you could find no reason for […]
Toldot (History) B’Resheet (Gen) 25-28 HafTorah: Malachi 1:1-2:7
Toldot (History) B’Resheet (Gen) 25-28 HafTorah: Malachi 1:1-2:7 1.What three things set Isaac apart from the other two patriarchs, Avraham and Jacob? First, Isaac never left the Land of Promise. Second, He only had one wife. Third He never had his name changed. How long did Isaac pray for a child? He prayed twenty years. He was […]
Hayei Sarah (Sarah’s Life) B’resheet 23:1-25:18, Haftarah Reading: I Kings 1:1-31
1.In Genesis 23:1-24:20 we read of the extensive bargaining that went on between Avraham and Ephron the Hittite for land to bury Sarah. Why did Avraham make such a big deal about buying the land when the man was willing to give it to him. What is our lesson here? Genesis 23:16-20, “Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms […]
Vayera Genesis 18:1-22:24 HafTorah: II Kings 4:1-37
1.Our HafTorah reading is found in II Kings 4:1-37 Read II Kings 4:1-7 and see what spiritual lessons you can find in this passage that will help us when we are facing a crisis? The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you […]
Lekh L’Kha (Get Yourself Out) B’resheet (Genesis) 12-17
Lekh L’Kha (Get Yourself Out) B’resheet (Genesis) 12-17 Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 40:27-41:16 1. In Genesis 15:6 it says, “Abram believed the L-rd, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3 says, “Avraham believed G-d and it was counted to him as righteousness. What exactly does it mean, Avraham believed G-d. How did it affect Avraham’s life? When we […]
Noah B’resheet/Genesis 6:9-11:32
1.What happened to Noah? In Genesis we read this description of Noah, “Noah was a righteous man, and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with G-d.” When we read this verse it speaks of Noah in terms found nowhere else in the Torah. He was perfect. Now after the flood we read in B’resheet/Genesis 9:20-21 […]