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.
Passover Shabbat 2021
Passover Shabbat 2021
II Samuel 22:1-51 and Exodus 13:17-15:26
Since today we are still in the holiday of Pesach there is no regular Torah portion. Instead, we have several readings from the prophets and the book of Exodus. I would like to begin with two verses from II Samuel. In chapter 22:2-3 we read the words of King David, “The L-rd is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer. G-d my rock whom I trust, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high place, and my refuge, the One who saves me. You save me from violence.” In Psalm 18 we see these words almost completely duplicated.
Hukath (Regulation) Num. 19:1-22:1
Torah Portion: Hukath (Regulation) Numbers (B’Midbar) 19:1-22:1
HafTorah: Judges 11:1-33
New Testament: John 3:9-21; 4:3-30; 12:27-50
Tonight we look at one of the harder things in Torah to understand. The Red Heifer here in the opening verse we read hukath Torah – The decree of the Torah. It is as if the Torah is saying “This is the point of the whole Torah.” A verse in the New Testament, Mark 12:30-31, reflects the same kind of idea. Here Yeshua gives an answer to a question that was meant to trip Him up. Love G-d and love your neighbor. What do the two have to do with each other?
Ha’azinu (Give an ear) Deut 32
Torah Portion: Ha’azinu (give an ear) Deut. 32:1-52
HafTorah: II Samuel 22:1-51
The Torah section, Ha’azinu, is from the same root as the word for ear. The Torah portion covers the song of Moses in Deut. 32 and the HafTorah in II Samuel 22 is called the song of David. I want to begin by looking at the verses in II Samuel. The scripture starts in Chapter 22:1. I want us to look first at this verse and see what we can learn of David. We read where David, reflecting back on his life, declares that G-d has delivered him from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. Why does he single out Saul? He does not lump him with his enemies even though Saul tried to kill him. David knew Saul was G-d’s anointed. He says in I Samuel 24:10 that he will not stretch out his hand to G-d’s anointed. He had to rely completely on G-d for deliverance from Saul. This is a principle that is still important for the present day. How many churches are born out of a contentious fight between two leaders. G-d is able to deal with problems in leadership without us raising our hand and voice against the person He has put in that role.