Bo(Come) Exodus(Sh’mot) 10:1-13:16
Torah Portion: Bo(Come) Exodus(Sh’mot) 10:1-13:16
Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 46:13-28
Tonight, we come to the climax of G-d’s hand freeing the people from their four hundred years in Egypt. I want to mention the opening word of this portion which is “Bo.” Translated into English it is Go. However, this is a Hebrew word that has as its most prominent meaning “Come.” When looked at in this light we can just hear G-d saying to Moshe, “Come into Pharaoh.” G-d was assuring Moshe that He, G-d, was already there before him. He was not to fear Pharaoh or what he might threaten to do, for G-d was with Moshe. I pray we each can hold on to this truth in our own life. No matter what lies before us G-d is already there waiting for us to rest in Him.
Korach B’midbar (Numbers) 16-18
Torah Portion: Korach B’midbar (Numbers) 16:1-18:32
HafTorah: I Samuel 11:14-12:22
This Shabbat we read about one of the most serious rebellions against Moses and Aaron. In this rebellion we see three different groups come up against the leaders of Israel. If you remember this rebellion occurs following the incident of the spies. The people learned that their decision not to go up with G-d and enter the land resulted in everyone over 20 years old being judged by G-d with the fate of never seeing the Land of Promise. I am sure the people were demoralized and downcast, ripe for insurrection.
Serving Others – Vayera Genesis 18
Torah Portion: Vayera Genesis 18:1-22:24
HafTorah: II Kings 4:1-37
In John 8:39 Yeshua says to us, “If you are Abraham’s children do the deeds of Abraham.” With this verse as a starting point I want us to look at the first 20 or so verses of chapter 18 of Genesis where Abraham experiences two visits. Now these visits happen after his circumcision. We don’t know how long after but Jewish sages see it as being pretty much immediately after. In fact, they see the visit of G-d as being an example to us of visiting the sick.