Tag: Moshe

Vayak’hel (He Assembled) Exodus/Sh’mot 35:1-38:20

Vayak’hel(He Assembled)Exodus/Sh’mot 35:1-38:20
Haftorah Reading: I Kings 7:13-26
 
Today I want to urge you to be in prayer concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, going on now. We as G-d’s people have a responsibility to hold this situation before the Father. Many people have already died and sadly many more will likely die. However, we know the Ruler of the universe and we must seek His answer to this tragic conflict.
 
In some ways our Torah portion this week should encourage us. In this portion we read one of the two times the details of the construction of the Mishkan is laid out. We read the details of the construction already in Exodus 25:1-31:17. Now, again in Exodus 35:1-38:20 we read another account of the instructions to build this structure. However, there is one marked difference in these two accounts. In Ki Tisa, Exodus 25, the command of the Sabbath appears at the end of the details of construction while here today we read of the command of the Sabbath at the very beginning of Moshe speaking to the people Why the difference? On a simple level we might say that when G-d created man he, Adam, experienced Shabbat as his first day living on this earth but as G-d’s saw it, it was the last day of creation or the seventh day.

Ki Tisa (When You Take) Exodus/Sh’mot 30:11-34:35

Ki Tisa(When You Take)Exodus/Sh’mot 30:11-34:35
Haftorah Reading: I Kings 18:1-39
 
When we read our portion Ki Tisa, we read of several epic events that took place, events that still shape our world today. I would like to major our study on one such event. I want us to spend most of our time on the giving of the tablets of G-d to Moshe and the Jewish people.
 
When we read our portion we read where two sets of the Commandments serve as book ends to the sin of Israel when they worshipped the golden calf. In Exodus 32:16 we read, “The tablets were the work of G-d, the writings of G-d engraved on the tablets of stone.”

Jethro (Yitro) Exodus/Sh’mot 18:1-20:23

Jethro(Yitro)Exodus/Sh’mot 18:1-20:23

Today I want us to look at several topics in this Torah portion with the last one being connected to my question this week. I also want to thank everyone for your responses to my question. There were some really good answers.

Before we get to my question I want to mention the visit of Moshe’s father-in-law Jethro. In our verses today we read where Jethro came to visit Moshe. He also brought Moshe’s wife, Zipporah and his two children with him to reunite the family. While he was there he observed Moshe as he met with people who were seeking his wisdom and advice on many different issues.

Bo (Come) Exodus/Sh’mot 10:1-13:16

 Bo(Come)Exodus/Sh’mot 10:1-13:16

Today we study what may be the most important Torah portion of the year. In the very first verse we read where G-d told Moshe to, “Come” to Pharaoh. Here Moshe was to relate to Pharaoh G-d’s final three plagues, locust, darkness and death of the first born. Sh’mot 10:1 reads, “And the L-rd said to Moshe, Come to Pharaoh.”  In all other times G-d told Moshe to go to Pharaoh. Why was the word “come” used here? I believe this gives all of us an important clues to the character of the Father. G-d was telling Moshe that no matter what we face G-d will be with us. He will already be there before us. Our faith should be strengthened by the use of this small word in this verse. 

Sh’mot (Names) Exodus/Sh’mot 1:1-6:1

Sh’mot(Names)Exodus/Sh’mot 1:1-6:1

Today I want us to look at some interesting things about the man called Moshe. I want each of us, as we look at his life, to also use this time to contemplate my question for this week, “Who am I?” I believe we often sell ourselves short with words like, “I’m not anybody special,” or “I’m just an ordinary person.” I pray when we get to the end of this study together your picture of who you are will be changed. We will look at Moshe’s life to give us a picture of how G-d sees us.

Noah B’resheet/Genesis 6:9-11:32

Torah Portion: Noah B’resheet/Genesis 6:9-11:32

Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Today we read the second portion from the book of Genesis. In this portion there are many subjects we can cover. I will try to pick two or three for our time together.

To begin, I want to look at Genesis 7:2, 8. In these two verses we see Noah is commanded by G-d to take seven pairs of clean beasts and one pair of unclean beasts. What are we to make of this? Why did G-d specifically tell him to bring seven pairs of clean animals and only one pair of unclean? Remember, this is 400 years before we will see this again appear in Torah in Leviticus chapter 11. In Leviticus the scripture goes into more detail about what animals are clean and which ones are unclean.  

V’Zot HaBrachah (And This is the Blessing) D’Varim (Deut.) 33-34

Torah Portion: V’Zot HaBrachah(And This is the Blessing) D’Varim (Deut.) 33-34

Haftorah Reading: Joshua 1:1-9

Today I want us to spend our time together discussing the last two chapters of Deuteronomy. This will be the last Torah portion of the year. This portion is usually read on Simchat Torah, a celebration that is held at the end of Succot. However, we will not be together on that day so rather than miss this reading, I want us to look at it today.

H’azinu (Hear) D’Varim (Deut.) 32:1-52

H’azinu(Hear) D’Varim (Deut.) 32:1-52

Haftorah Reading: II Sam. 22:1-51

Today we look at the words of Moshe in this next to last chapter of Deuteronomy. In this chapter Moshe has words of rebuke and warning for the people. G-d calls heaven and earth as His witness to the words He is about to share with His people. These words have much to say to us in our present day as well.

Vayelekh (He Went) D’Varim (Deut.) 31:1-30

 Vayelekh(He Went) D’Varim (Deut.) 31:1-30
 
Today, as we draw near to finishing our yearly reading of the Torah, we study this portion called Vayelekh. Also, this Sabbath is known as Shabbat Shuva or the Sabbath of Turning or Repentance. However, I want to look at another important subject in this short portion.

Beha’alotcha (When you set up) Numbers/B’midbar 8:1-12:16

Beha’alotcha (When you set up) Numbers/B’midbar 8:1-12:16

Haftorah Reading: Zechariah 2:14-4:7

Messianic Scripture  John 19:31-37, Hebrews 3:1-6

Our reading today contains many themes from the highs of the Menorah to the lows of the verses about Miriam and Aaron complaining and gossiping about Moshe. Today I want us to spend our time mainly on two of these themes. The first is found in Numbers 11:4-5. Here we read of the people complaining about only having manna to eat. They go on and on with their list of just how good they had it in Egypt. They seem to have completely forgotten the part about being slaves there. Then in verses 11:14-15 we see Moshe come to the end of his patience and said to G-d, in verse 15, “And if you deal thus with me, kill me, I pray you.” Moshe had reached the end and cried out to G-d.