Tetzaveh (You are to order) Ex 27-30
Torah Portion: Tetzaveh (You are to order) Exodus 27-30
HafTorah: Ezekiel 43:10-27
This week’s Torah portion begins by giving instructions about the oil to be used in lighting the Ner Tamid or the eternal flame, and then the next chapter speaks of the clothing for Aaron and his sons as they minister to G-d in the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
Balak Numbers (B’Midbar) 22:2-25:9
Torah Portion: Balak Numbers (B’Midbar) 22:2-25:9
HafTorah: Micah 5:6-6:8
New Testament: II Peter 2:1-22; Jude 11: Rev. 2:14-15
There are several things I want us to spend time on today, most of which have to do with Balaam. Balaam, according to scripture in Numbers 22:5, had a reputation and in fact was a really famous person. Balak even uses words in Numbers 22:6 that are normally reserved for G-d. (Genesis 12:3) However as we read this chapter we see Balaam even stating that he can do only what G-d allows. So, apparently he knew G-d on some level. However he did not know enough. It would seem he may have thought he could manipulate the Father.
Yitro (Jethro) Exodus 18
Torah Portion: Yitro (Jethro) Shemot (Exodus) 18:1-20:26
HafTorah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6:7
New Testament: Matt. 5:21-30, 15:1-11; 19:16-30; Mark 7:5-15; Mark 10: 17-31; Luke 18:18-30; Acts 6:1-7; Romans 2:17-29; 7:7-12; 13:8-10; Eph. 6:1-3; 1Timothy 3:1-14; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 12:18-29; James 2:8-13; I Peter 2:9-10
Tonight we look at, I think, the only Torah portion named for a non-Jew. Why do you think Jethro was given this honor? Torah tells us that he heard of all that G-d had done for Israel. It seems he wanted to know more. So, the sages say he was honored for his search for the truth. I pray that this can also be said for each of us when we come together each week – that we are seeking the truth. In chapter 19, verse one of Shemot we read where the people came to the mountain in the third month after they had come out of Egypt. As we read on in chapter 19 we see G-d instructing Moses on what to tell the people. He was to tell them how He cared for them, bore them up on eagle’s wings and brought them to Himself at Sinai, and there He proposed to them as a groom does to his bride.