land – Road to Zion

Hayei Sarah (Sarah’s Life) B’resheet/Genesis 23:1-25:18

Hayei Sarah(Sarah’s Life) B’resheet/Genesis 23:1-25:18

Haftorah Reading: I Kings 1:1-31

Tonight we read of two important events in this Torah portion. The first one deals with the purchase by Avraham, of a field and cave to bury his wife Sarah. The second subject deals with a mission to find a wife for his son Isaac. What is important here, and in other places in Torah, is the extent scripture goes to to give us the details of these two events. Usually when this happens scripture is alerting us to the fact that these events have something important to tell us. Remember the very word Torah speaks of teaching. These two occurrences here are in such detail to teach us an important lesson.

Re’eh (See or Behold) D’Varim (Deut.) 11:26-16:17

Torah Portion: Re’eh (See or Behold) D’Varim (Deut.) 11:26-16:17

Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 54:11-55:5

Messianic Scripture I Cor. 5:9-13; I John 4:1-6

Today we look at our Torah portion and find it covering many different topics. It covers the food laws and the three holidays when Israel is to congregate in Jerusalem. We also find the setting up of a central place of worship once the people cross over the Jordan and conquer the land. All these topics point to one central fact, G-d’s people were to be different from those around them. The people were being called to see with spiritual eyes the benefits of being and living as the people of G-d. They were being challenged to see with spiritual eyes the world around them. We have that same challenge today.

Korach Numbers/B’midbar 16:1-18:32

Haftorah Reading: I Samuel 11:14-12:22

Messianic Scripture II Timothy 2:8-21, Jude 1-25

Before we get to the Torah portion today I want us first to talk about my question concerning Matthew 27:46. Here, as Yeshua is dying, He said, “My G-d, My G-d, why have you forsaken me?” I am sure all of us have heard pastors explain this verse by saying G-d could not look upon Yeshua on the cross because He was carrying the sins of the world. A holy G-d could not tolerate being in the presence of sin unless it was covered by a blood sacrifice. Have any of you ever heard this explanation or any other?

Shelach (Send) B’midbar (Numbers) 13:1-15:41

Torah Portion: Shelach (Send) B’midbar (Numbers) 13:1-15:41

Haftorah Readings: Joshua 2:1-24

Today we read one of the most perplexing Torah portions of the year. In this portion we see G-d instructing Moshe to send twelve men to go up and check out the Land of Promise, the Land He had promised Avraham. This is the dream that had been before the people for hundreds of years and now here is the fulfillment of that dream.

B’Har (On Mount) Leviticus 25:1-26:2, B’chukkotai (By My Commandments) Leviticus 26:3-27:34

Torah Portion: B’Har (On Mount) Leviticus 25:1-26:2, B’chukkotai (By My Commandments) Leviticus 26:3-27:34

Haftorah Readings: Jeremiah 32:6-27, Jeremiah 16:19-17:14

Tonight, we finish the book of Leviticus by studying the final two portions. We begin by looking at the Shmita year found in Leviticus 25:1-7. This commandment says that the Land of Israel is to lie fallow on the seventh year. It is not to be worked and what grows on its own is to be left for whomever needs food. It is as if every seventh year the owner of the land relinquishes his ownership and the rights to the food that grows there on its own. He, as well as anyone else, can take of what grows for their immediate needs. What is the reason for G-d giving such a commandment? Also, we read where in the year before the Shmita, the Land will produce double for the owner.

D’Varim (Deut.) 1:1-3:22 2018

Torah Portion D’Varim (Deut.) 1:1-3:22

Haftorah Reading: Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 1:1-27

Today we study the first portion of the last book of the Torah. This book is mainly made up of the last words of Moshe to his people before he ascends the mountain and dies there. Also, tonight, at 7:30, the day of Tisha B’Av begins. On this day Jewish people remember the destruction of both the First and the Second Temple. It also harkens back to the day of the bad report of the spies and the people refusing to enter the Land. It is note worthy to know that many other tragedies occurred on this day. The Spanish Inquisition and the Night of Broken Glass, which signaled the beginning of the Holocaust, are two such events. On this day the book of Lamentations is read to remember the penalty of not taking action in going up to settle the Land.

Pinchas (B’Midbar) Num. 25:10-30:1

Torah Portion Pinchas (B’Midbar) Numbers 25:10-30:1

Haftorah Reading: I Kings 18:46-19:21

Tonight we read a Torah portion that covers a wide range of topics. We read of a new group of leaders who will take the people to the Promised Land. Joshua is to take the position of Moshe when Moshe dies. Pinkas is granted an everlasting priesthood of peace that in some ways carries on the heritage of his grandfather Aaron. Finally we read of the five daughters of Zelophehad who came to Moshe with a request concerning their right to an inheritance after their father’s death. He died with no sons to inherit his land.

What’s Your Perspective? – Shelach Lekha Numbers 13

Torah Portion: Shelach Lekha Numbers 13:1-15:41

HafTorah: Joshua 2:1-24

I would like us to focus mainly on the story of the spies and see what we can learn from it. First let us see if we can clear up what seems to be a contradiction. In Numbers 13:1-2 we read in English that G-d spoke to Moses and told him to send the spies. In Deut. 1:22 we read Moses recounting this event by saying the people came to him and asked to send spies. So which is true? Here the Hebrew language helps a little. In Numbers 13:2 G-d’s word to Moses translated as “send men” should be translated as. “send for yourself” or you do what you think is right. Given this, then there is harmony between the two. G-d allowed this. He allows us the freedom of choice even when that choice is incorrect.