Vayigash (He Approached) Gen 44-47

Torah Portion:  Vayigash (He Approached) Genesis 44:18-47:27

HafTorah: Ezekiel 37:15-28

Tonight we read of the meeting between Joseph and his brothers, where Joseph reveals his true identity to them. Remember it had been more than 20 years since the brothers sold him into slavery.  I am always struck by the question, “How could they have done such a thing to their own brother?”

Tol’dot (History) Gen 25-28

Torah Portion: Tol’dot (History) B’resheet Genesis 25-28

HafTorah: Malachi 1:1-2:7

In this section of scripture we read about the birth of twins to Rivkah and Yitzak. We read of the on going tension between the boys and the eventual leaving of Ya’acov to the home of Rivkah’s brother. This section is filled with relational issues that arise in a family and I think gives us some insight in the correct way to deal with them. This is the main thrust of what I would like to look at today.

Vayetze (He went out) Gen 28-32

Torah Portion: Vayetze (He went Out) Genesis 28:10-32:3

HafTorah: Hosea 11:7-13:5

This week we look at more than 20 years of Jacob’s life. We see him from the time he leaves home until he journeys back. He leaves with just his clothes on his back and returns with wives, children and many flocks. He leaves and actually becomes the first Jew to live in the galut. I think we can learn a lot by looking at his life and what it shows us spiritually. Let us begin with the first verse of our portion, Genesis 28:10. Here we see Jacob leaving the Land, that place on which the eyes of G-d are continually on and going toward Haran, a place of wickedness. Sometimes we are called to leave our comfortable, spiritual surroundings to go into a world that does not know G-d. How do we deal with it? How do we keep ourselves grounded in truth? Jacob made sure he left from a safe place, called “The Place” in Hebrew. This means more than just any place. His last night was spent, as he later states, in the house of G-d. There G-d speaks to him and promises him to be his protector and to bring him home. He does the same for each of us. I believe He is with us each step of our journey as we walk in His promise. When we leave our house each day G-d goes with us. Like Jacob we should begin our day having spent time with Him. We should prepare ourselves spiritually by being with Him each day. Our challenges each day should be met with our connection with Him, our knowing of His way and how we are to conduct ourselves in the world.

Toldot (Generations) Gen 25-28

Torah Portion: Toldot (Generations) Genesis 25:19-28:9

HafTorah: Malachi 1:1-2:7

This week we read of the struggle between two boys, twins, born to G-dly parents, raised in the same home and yet turning out completely different. One could say they started out parve but became milk and meat as we read about them. One was a dweller in tents and the other a man of the field. How did this strife come about in such a G-dly atmosphere? Abraham was still alive during their early years, probably helping with their development. How did it happen?

Ekev (Because) Deut 7:12-11:25

Torah Portion: Ekev (Because) Devarim (Deut.) 7:12-11:25

HafTorah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3

NT Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; James 5:7-11

Ekev: sometimes translated as “because.” Does anyone know where we have seen at least the root of this Hebrew word before? A hint: it is the root of the name of one of the Patriarchs. It is the name of Jacob. Why was he named Jacob? It is because he held his brother’s heel when they were born. So you could translate it as “on the heels of” or following. This opening verse this week really ties what follows from the last verse of last weeks section, Deut. 7:11, linking heart felt obedience to G-d’s blessing. Moses then goes on to point a beautiful picture of what will be the result of their obedience.

What Do You Fear? – Vayishlach, Genesis 32

Torah Portion: Vayishlach Genesis 32:4-36:43

HafTorah: Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21

Matthew 26:36-46, Hebrews 11:11-20

Tonight we look at the Torah section that brings Jacob back to the Land. It covers his reunion with his brother as well as the death of his first love, Rachel.

I want us to look at a couple of things that I think the L-rd has for us tonight. First I want to explore the last question that I sent out to you. Why did Jacob fear Esau? He had heard the promises of G-d and experienced the blessings of G-d so why do we see him here overcome with fear? Remember he had recently dealt with Laban who also persecuted him yet he showed no fear in this meeting. So why here? Maybe he was feeling guilt for what he had done to Esau. Maybe he thought Esau had held on to his anger for 20 + years. Remember Rebecca had said she would send for him when Esau’s anger cooled. Yet she never did. So maybe his anger never cooled. It could have been a number of things. So it is hard to settle on one.

Promises of G-d – Shmini (Eight) Leviticus 9

 

Torah Portion: Shmini (Eight) Leviticus 9:1-11:47

HafTorah: II Samuel 6:1-7:17

Tonight I would like to continue building the spiritual picture we have been working on the last few weeks, that of the physical tabernacle and the priests being a shadow of heavenly spiritual truths. This week we see Aaron and his sons assuming their role as earthly priests and how that gives us insight into Yeshua.  Remember on the mountain G-d showed Moses the heavenly tabernacle and told him to build an earthly model of what he had seen in heaven.  This is mentioned in Hebrews 11:8. This same idea is expressed in many rabbinic writings. In Christian thought this shadow and copy language has been seen to diminish the earthly structure. While in Hebrew it is simply a way of comparing and contrasting the two. Each was G-d ordained and each had its unique purpose.

What Do You Do When No One is Looking? – Va’era (I Appeared) Exodus 6

 

Torah Portion: Va’era ( I Appeared) Exodus 6:2-9:35

HafTorah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21

I want us to look at a question that I think has bearing on our Torah portion this week. I have been discussing this subject with some of you this week and have continued to think about it as the week has progressed.  I shared with you a few months ago the title of an interesting book I was reading, “Seven Questions You are Asked in Heaven.” This book will provoke you to think, which is always a good thing.

Vayechi (And He Lived) Genesis 47

 

Torah Portion: VAYECHI Genesis 47:28-50:26

HafTorah: I Kings 2:1-12

 

Tonight the Torah section is named “And he lived”, yet it mainly covers the death of Jacob. There is another Torah section that follows the same pattern. What is it? Chayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1. Yet it also mainly talks of her death and burial. So what is the Torah trying to tell us here and with Sarah? Even in the beginning we read in Genesis 3:19 about G-d relating to Adam, Adam’s own death. But then in the next verse we see Adam named his wife Hava (Eve) for she was to be the mother of all life. What is striking with her name is that literally it means one who narrates or tells a story.

Vayishlach (And He Sent)

 

Torah Portion: Vayishlach Genesis 32:4-36:43

HafTorah: Hosea 11:7-12:12

Over twenty years have come and gone since Jacob left Israel. His leaving and return are marked with encounters with angels. It is also marked by a Hebrew word that appears in both his going and coming. In Genesis 28:11 we read, “So he came to a certain place.” The word for “he came” is vayifga in Hebrew. In Hebrew today you hear the negative form of this word used frequently by children when they want to say, “don’t touch me.” So when Jacob left he encounters or touches a place. That place is where he has his dream.