Torah: Deut 3:23-7:11 Haftarah: Is 40:1-26 Brit Chadashah: Matt 23:31-39, Mk 12:28-34 Main Points: Moses was not allowed to enter into the Promised Land. Moses urges Israel to obey. Teachings on: Idolatry, cities of refuge, Ten Commandments Israel is to be a chosen nation. In Deut 7:1-9 Moses reminds Israel that God had given them a purpose and a place. He called Israel to be a holy and chosen people. He called them out of love with covenant mercies and covenant faithfuln

Torah: Deut 1:1-3:22 Haftarah: Is 1:1-27 Brit Chadashah: Acts 9:1-21; Luke 1:68, 19:41-44; Matt 24; Mark 13 Main sections: Moses begins his farewell address by recounting their history. Israel commanded to leave Horeb (Sinai). Moses collaborates with the tribes to appoint leaders. The sin of the spies. Israel’s refusal to believe. The judgment of wandering in the wilderness. God commands Israel to not invade countries he has allotted to others. King Sihon and King Og were d

Torah: Num 30:1-36:13 Haftarah: Jer 2:4-28, Jer 3:4 Brit Chadashah: Matt 5:33-37, James 4:1-12 Main Sections: When men and women make vows. Decree of vengeance on Midian. The tribes of Reuben and Gad ask to settle in Gilead. Moses' summary of their journey. The Lord decrees for Israel to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan. God decrees the boundaries for the land. Levitical cities and cities of refuge are established. The petition of the daughters of Zelophehad From the t

Parashat Pinchas: The Godliness of Anger Torah: Numb 25:10-30:1 Haftarah: 1 Kings 18:46-19:21, Jer 1:1-2:3 Brit Chadashah: Rom 11:2-32, Rev 1:5-6, Rev 5:10, 1 Pet 2:5-9, Heb 13:5 Main Sections: The Anger and Zeal of Pinchas. Taking a Generational Census. The Daughters of Zelophehad. Joshua Selected to Succeed Moses. Teaching on the Daily, Sabbath, Monthly, and Feast Offerings. Does God love our anger? He has anger. He made it and made it for a reason. Some expressions of

Torah: Numb 16:1-18:32 Haftarah: Is 66:1-24 Brit Chadashah: Rom 13:1-7 Main Sections: The Rebellion of Korah Aaron’s Rod Chosen Among the Twelve Staffs Kohen Duties: Ministry of the Priesthood God’s judgment for the Israelites to wander in the wilderness was set and things seemed to go from bad to worse. After the incident of the twelve spies and a failed invasion attempt, they began to look at their future with both dread and dismay. During this time of high emotions, bi

Torah: Numb 13:1-15:41 Haftarah: Josh 2:1-2:24 Brit Chadashah: Heb 3:7-4:1 Main Points: God directs Moses to send spies into Canaan. Moses gives specific instructions to the spies. The spies return with a mixed report. The negativity of the spies causes a rebellion among the people. Moses intercedes and God judges. Israel was defeated by the Amalekites and Canaanites. God instructs Moses about the law of sacrifices and unintentional sins. Judgement of a man for breaking the

Torah: Numb 8:1-12:16 Haftarah: Zech 2:14-4:7 Brit Chadashah: 1 Cor 10:6-13, Rev 11:1-19 Main Points: Setting up the lampstand. Procedure for cleansing the Levites. Levitical term of service. Passover is celebrated. Israel led by pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. Silver trumpets made to signal the camp. On the second year, in the second month and 20th day Israel leaves the Mountain. The fire of the LORD in Taberah due to the people complaining. Manna is se

Torah: Numb 4:21-7:89 Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25 Brit Chadashah: Acts 21:17-26 Main Points: Census of the Gershonites, sons of Merari, and Kohathites who could work in the service of the Tabernacle. The unclean who were leprous, had a discharge, or came in contact with the dead were put outside of the camp. Confession and making restitution. The adulteress tested by the priest. The vow of the Nazirite. The Aaronic Blessing. (Num 6:24-26) Tabernacle set up, anointed, and conse

Shavuot is upon us! It was the day when God gave the Torah to his people on Mount Sinai, and then later poured his Holy Spirit out on his people. One Shavuot has a physical focus, the other a spiritual one. Shavuot connects us to an incredible event where a covenant was made with the Creator to follow his word. The sages affirm that Torah was not just given to the generation at Mt Sinai, but that each successive generation of people should understand that they also personall

Torah: Num 1:1-4:20 Haftarah: 2:1-23, 1 Sam 20:18-42 Brit Chadashah: Rom 9:22-33, Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:9-11 Main Points: Census taken of Israel’s standing army. Tribes arranged with their standards. The Levites duty to guard the Tabernacle. Levite families and their duties, Redemption of the firstborn. Shavuot begins in a few days. It is exciting to live out the biblical narrative every year. Most of Shavuot, as a celebration, is done in the synagogue. As outlined in las

Torah: Lev 25:1-27:34 Haftarah: Jer 16:19-17:14 Brit Hadashah: Matt 21:33-46, Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:9-11, Eph 4:8 Main points The Sabbatical Year The year of Jubilee Selling and Redeeming property Kindness and redemption of the poor Blessings for obedience, punishments for disobedience Laws concerning vows In Luke 4:8, Yeshua read from the scroll of Isaiah (Is 61:1) and stated, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; h

Parashat Emor 2025 Torah: Lev 21:1-24:23 Haftarah: Ezek 44:15-44:31 Brit Chadashah: 1 Pet 2:4-10 Main Points: Holiness and the priesthood. Holiness of the Chief Priest. Blemishes that disqualify a person for the priesthood. Who may eat the holy offerings. Offerings that can be accepted for sacrifice. The Feasts of the LORD. Admonition to bring oil and fine flour to the Tabernacle. Judgement of the son of Shelomith (daughter of Dibri, tribe of Dan). Law of commensurate damag

Torah: Lev 16:1-18:30, Lev 19:1-20:27 Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 Brit Chadashah: Heb 9:11-28, 1 Pet 1:13-16, 1 Cor 6:9-20 Main Points: Instructions to Aaron for the Day of Atonement after his two sons died. The exclusivity of the Altar as a place of sacrifice. Prohibition against consuming blood and unlawful sexual activity. Laws for righteous dealings with people. Obedience required to keep the statues of God. Capital punishment for child sacrifice and unlawful sexual activity.

Torah: Lev 12:1-15-33 Haftarah: 2 Kings 7:3-20 Brit Chadashah: John 6:8-13, Matt 8:1-17 Main Points: Childbirth and purification. Laws concerning leprosy. The cleansing of the leper. Laws for diseased houses. Laws about bodily fluids. The biblical prohibition against speaking evil, slander, and gossip does not sideline other parts of the word of God that encourages right-spirited communication. We can make righteous judgment. We can confront our brother and speak honestly

Torah: Lev 9:1-11:47 Haftarah: 2 Sam 6:1-7:17 Brit Chadashah: Heb 8:1-6 Main Points: Aaron draws near to the altar and offers sacrifice. Fire comes from the altar and consumes burnt offering. Nadab and Abihu die offering “strange” fire. The Lord speaks to Moses about Kashrut. Parashat Shemini begins with Moses calling Aaron and his sons and directing them to offer sacrifices to prepare the priesthood, so that they could begin to serve. The beginning of priestly service m

Pesach comes this year amid much trouble and conflict world wide. The time of the Exodus also had trouble, stress, and uncertainty. But, though it all, even in man's mistakes, arrogance, and strivings the word of God prevails. Never forget that when we pray, we are a part of the prevailing word that God spoke. God's word prevails when politics fail. It prevails when our wisdom fails. It also prevails when our best intentions fail. When our hope is in God we have an immovable

Torah: Lev 6:8-8:36 Haftarah: Mal 3:4-24 Brit Chadashah: Heb 7:23-8:6, Heb 9:11-28 Main Points: Priests and the law of offerings. Aaron and his sons are consecrated. Consecration ceremony described. In Parashat Tzav God speaks to Moses concerning the sacrifices and begins to focus on the role of the priest. The Book of Leviticus was not just a book of instructions aimed at the priesthood, it also let Israel know what to expect when they came to the Temple. The Parashat en

Torah: Lev 1:1-6:7 Haftarah: Is 43:21-44:23 Brit Chadashah: Heb 10:1-18, Heb 13:10-15 Main Points: Five offerings (korbanot) described. The Burnt Offering (Olah) The Grain Offering (Mincha). The Peace Offering (Zevach Shelachim) The Sin Offering (Chatat). The Guilt Offering (Asham). The book of Leviticus begins with detailing the specifics around the burnt offering, grain offering, peace offering, and sin offering. Beginning in chapter five the discussion proceeds to the

Torah: Ex 35:1-40:38 Haftarah: Exek 45:16-46:18 Brit Chadashah: 2 Cor 9:6-11, 1 Cor 3:11-18, 1 Cor 3:16-17, Heb 13:10 Main Points: Celebrating the Sabbath Offerings for the Tabernacle Bezalel and Oholiab called to direct the construction of the Tabernacle. Construction begins on the Tabernacle and the Aron Habrit (Ark of the Covenant). Construction on the Shulchan (Table for the Lechem Hapanim or Bread of the Presence), Menorah (Lampstand), and Mizbeach Haketoret (Altar of

Torah: Exodus 30:11-34:35 Haftarah: Ezek 36:16-38 Brit Chadashah: 2 Cor 3:1-18 Main Points The Census Tax Details of the Bronze Basin, anointing oil, and incense. Calling of Oholiab and Bazalel The Sabbath The Golden Calf and God's response. Israelites commanded to leave Sinai. In last week's Torah portion God gave Moses instructions for the lampstand, altar of incense, priestly garments, and consecration of the priesthood. God was giving his people a spiritual place before h