Vayeishev (And He Settled) B’resheet/Gen 37:1-40:23

: Vayeishev(And He Settled) B’resheet/Genesis 37:1-40:23

Haftorah Readings: Amos 2:6-3:8

Our Torah portion today deals with a large swath of Joseph’s life. It also includes one chapter devoted to Judah and an incident involving him and his daughter in law. I want us to spend time on each of these and see what they can teach us and how in some ways they are connected.

V’zot HaBrachah (And This is the blessing) D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 33-34

V’zot HaBrachah (And This is the blessing) D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 33-34

Haftorah Reading Joshua 1:1-18

Usually this Torah section is read on Simchat HaTorah. This holiday occurs Tuesday evening, October 22nd at the end of Sukkot. However, rather than miss these important final words of Moshe I would like us to take the time to study this passage.  In my question of the week I asked you what you saw as the characteristics of a servant of G-d. This question was based on verse 34:5 of Deut. In this verse Moshe was called a servant of the L-rd.

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.

Vayeishev (He settled) Gen 37-40

Torah Portion: Vayeishev ( He settled) Genesis 37:1-40:23

HafTorah: Amos 2:6-3:8

Tonight we cover a large part of Joseph’s life from his seventh year until he is in an Egypt prison sentenced for something he did not do. We follow him from a somewhat difficult teenager to when he has had more than his share of difficulties in his life.

I want us to look at his story from the aspect of Kidush Hashem (sanctify the Name) and see what we can see that might help us in our daily walk with the L-rd. How do we translate Kidush HaShem? Sanctifying G-d’s name is kidush HaShem. What does that mean? Kidush is from the same root as Kadosh or holy. Holy means to set apart, as for us to be set apart. How can we set apart G-d’s name? Let’s see how Joseph did or did not do this in his life.

Hayei Sarah (Sarah’s life) Genesis 23-25

Torah Portion: Hayei Sarah (Sarah’s life) Genesis 23-25

HafTorah: I Kings 1:1-31

This week we look at a Parasha filled with verses covering the death of both Abraham and Sarah., yet it is titled, The life of Sarah. Why do you think that is? It might seem more accurate to call it the death of Sarah. This is a subject I want us to look at in some depth this week. I think it has so much to teach each of us in our world today.