Tazria (She Conceives) Vayikra/Leviticus 12:1-13:59

Tazria(She Conceives)Vayikra/Leviticus 12:1-13:59

Haftorah Reading: II Kings 4:42-5:19

This Torah portion may seem at first glance to have little to do with us or our world. However, as we go over it tonight I pray each of us will see the biblical truths within these verses, truths that will give us a far better understanding of how it speaks exactly to us today.

Vayigash (He Approached) B’resheet/Genesis 44:18-47:27

Vayigash (And He Approached) B’resheet/Genesis 44:18-47:27

 

I want us to look at two dominate personalities in this Torah portion.  I sent you a question earlier concerning these two men and I hope you have had the opportunity to consider my question?

Mikketz (It Came to Pass) B’resheet/Genesis 41:-44:17

Mikketz(It Came to Pass) B’resheet/Genesis 41:-44:17

Haftorah Reading: I Kings 3:15-4:1

Today our Torah portion continues with the story of Joseph in Egypt and his reunion with his brothers. We see his rise to power in Egypt after he was able to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh. In Genesis 42:7-8 we are told he was able to recognize his brothers when they came before him to request food for their families and flocks. Amazingly, he was able to control his emotions and allowed them to continue to explain their situation. They did not know before whom they had actually bowed down to make their petition for food. No doubt Joseph remembered the dreams he had shared with his brothers years earlier and was now seeing them actually happen.  His brothers did attribute their present state to their actions against Joseph when they sold him into slavery.

Vayeishev (And He Dwelt) B’resheet (Genesis) 37-40

Torah Portion:  Vayeishev (And He Dwelt) B’resheet (Genesis) 37-40

Haftorah Reading: Amos 2:6-3:8

Tonight we take a long look at Joseph’s life from his teen years to adulthood. Through these years we can see many things in his life that can speak to us directly. In the beginning we see a boy, the favorite of his father, who was given a beautiful coat. We see a boy who was not very perceptive about how to relate to his brothers.  All this caused his brothers to hate him.

Vayeishev (And He Settled) B’Resheet (Gen) 37-40

Torah Portion: Vayeishev (And He Settled)  B’Resheet (Gen.) 37-40

HafTorah:  Amos 2:6-3:8

This Torah portion is taken almost completely with the life of Joseph and his struggles until he become the second in power in the land of Egypt. There are several points that can be made from these verses about how Joseph dealt with his misfortunes. One amazing observation is how he was able to hold onto G-d’s purpose in his life, to not give up, or become discouraged. This trait speaks to me and I hope to each of you.

Vayigash (He Approached) B’resheet Gen 44-47

Torah Portion:  Vayigash (He Approached) (B’resheet) Genesis 44-47

Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 37:15-28

This week we read of the meeting between Joseph and his brothers where he reveals  himself to them after years of being separated. We read in Genesis 44:18 where Yehuda whispered in his ear and pleaded for his brother, even offering to take his place. Unlike years before when Yehuda came up with the idea of not killing Joseph but selling him into slavery.  However, here we see Yehudah when faced again with such a choice, has a different reaction. He chose to basically give himself for his brother.  This action by Yehudah had an immediate effect on Joseph.

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?”

Vayigash (He Approached) Gen 44-47

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

HafTorah: Ezekiel 37:15-28

This week we read of a meeting between Joseph and his brothers as they were reunited. This was a meeting that had great spiritual implications for Israel and for us as well. In it we have for the first time in scripture true repentance. How are we to judge true repentance? We have all heard of others repenting or maybe even been in the place of repenting for our sins. How are we to tell if the penitent is sincere?