This morning, we have a double-parasha: T’tzaveh, which means “Command.” It focuses on the priests, their clothing, and their anointing. Kee Tisa means “When You Take.” Adonai gives Moses the final instructions for building the Tabernacle. T’tzaveh opens with instructions concerning the oil for the lamps of the menorah; the people provided pure olive oil […]

This week’s Parasha is entitled T’rumah meaning “Contribution” and covers Exodus 25:1-27:19. In chapter 25, Moses receives specific and detailed instructions from Adonai concerning the materials and construction of the Tabernacle, the dimensions of the courtyard and the placement of the items that will reside there. Adonai invites the Israelis to bring offerings to contribute […]

Peter’s second letter was written to remind the Lord’s people of the truth of God’s Word and the certainty of His promises. In this second chapter, Peter warns against false teachers who distort the Word of God and lead people into sin. We need to understand that recognizing and resisting false teaching and moral corruption […]

The parashah for this week’s Sabbath is entitled Mishpatim, which means “Judgments.” It covers Exodus 21:1–24:18. These were the first laws God gave His people after the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. These laws provide practical application of the Decalogue in daily life. They are called “judgments” or rulings. They are not […]

This week’s parasha is entitled, B’shalach, which means “when he sent” and covers Exodus 13:17 – 17:16.  When he sent refers to pharaoh letting the Israelis depart from Egypt after the 10th plague, the death of the firstborn. After their release, the Lord does not lead the Israelis in a direct route towards their final […]

This week’s Parasha is entitled Bo, which means “Go,” and covers Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 In the previous parasha, we saw the first seven plagues unleashed on Egypt. In chapter 10, the Lord commands Moses to go before Pharaoh to continue to demonstrate Adonai’s superiority over the false gods of Egypt. Moses was instructed to […]

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Vaiera, meaning “And I appeared.” Adonai redeemed His people by manifesting His power to Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and their gods. He alone is the one true and living God. Chapter six opens with a discouraged Moses. He had delivered God’s message to Pharaoh, and the result was an increase […]

Our Torah reading this Shabbat bears the same name as the book it introduces: Shemot meaning ‘names’, since it begins with a recitation of the names of Jacob’s 12 sons, who, with their father and their families, had settled in Egypt after being reunited with Joseph. The English name for the book, Exodus, is borrowed […]

This week, we end the book of Genesis with parasha Vayechi, which translates to “and he lived”. Vayechi covers Genesis 47:28-50:26 and finishes the book of Genesis. This parasha contains the final Messianic prophecy of Genesis as well as a powerful reminder that the Lord is always in control. Our parasha begins with Jacob making Joseph […]

This Shabbat we have two parashas; MiKetz, meaning “At the conclusion” and Vayigash, meaning “And he drew near” covering Genesis chapters 41-47. Joseph is in prison on a false charge of attempted rape. Poor Joseph; betrayed by his brothers, enslaved in Egypt, wrongfully accused. Yet despite it all, Joseph conducted himself with integrity, and God […]