Hebrew Nation Online | Come Out of Her My People – Mark Call

The first Torah portion reading from the Book of Exodus this week is ‘Shemot’ (Exodus 1:1-6:2), which is of course the Hebrew name of the Book as well. And it begins the story of Moses (Moshe) and the Exodus from Egypt, and bondage, but actually begins even a bit earlier, and about two centuries after the story of Joseph in Genesis comes to an end.

The Erev Shabbat reading not only introduces us to Moses, but actually covers about two-thirds of the span of his life in just a few chapters. Perhaps it’s encouraging to consider that the most important part of his life’s work didn’t even begin until about his ninth decade:

How did a people who were literally the “Sons of Israel,” and direct descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, manage to descend from direct promises and blessings from the Creator Himself, to “cruel bondage” in just over two centuries?

And for that matter, how do a people who understood “self-evident Truths” about that same Creator manage to descend to what may be even greater tyranny and bondage to an entirely different ‘god’ in almost that same times span?

There is more here than you might think. Especially when you consider where we are on that timeline.

The combined two-part teaching is here:

Many of us by now have almost gotten used to “The Big Lie.” And yet, what are actually seeing really goes far beyond that.

In 1984, George Orwell wrote that “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two equals four.”

Does that include being able to admit that NOBODY really believes the LA fire chief, mayor and Gruesome Dictator could possibly be as incompetent as they seem to be. Or that the Secret Service is, either.

The annual-cycle Torah reading week, parsha Vayechi (Genesis/Bereshiet chapter 47:28-End) not only concludes the story of the life and times of Yakov or Jacob, but of Yosef (Joseph) as well, and the Book of Genesis.

The Erev Shabbat reading:

Among other things, including Yakov’s blessings for his sons, and thus the tribes of Israel, this parsha includes the ‘adoption’ of Yosef’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (or is it Manasseh and Ephraim???) into the “twelve” bribes of Israel. Where Yakov “crosses his hands,” during that blessing.

He asks a question, too. Which seems almost out of place. And yet, it’s also almost as easy for us to just gloss over it, and ignore the potential implications. But is should resonate with us now:

The combined two-part teaching is here:

America, and indeed the entire world, arguably face more “existential threats” now than in any other time in human history.

And while there may not appear to be much that we as individuals can do about many of them — other than pray! — there are things that we can, and must, do to prepare for the eventualities.

Existential Threats and Real Preparedness

There were additional acts of ‘terror’ over the New Year’s holiday, on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and in Las Vegas. And plenty about ‘both of them’ that was not only unusual, but stank to high heaven.

And given that there are still almost three more weeks until the next “date certain,” and a potential “transfer of power,” with more than a few indications that it won’t happen without a fight…

Expect the Unthinkable.

“When Terror Comes to Your Door, It Will Be in Uniform”

This week’s reading from the Torah, parsha Mikets (Genesis/Bereshiet chapter 40 through 44:17) is the second reading dealing with the life and times of Yosef (Joseph) and which might be referred to as the “Time In-between.” It begins with “after two whole years,” following his interpretation of the dreams of Pharoah’s chief baker and butler, when he was NOT ‘remembered,’ but forgotten. Until Pharaoh’s dreams.

The Erev Shabbat reading — “AFTER two whole years” — begins with those dreams, and Joseph’s sudden elevation from prisoner to Number 2 man in all of Egypt:

There are again a number of major themes in the study of Joseph this week, certainly adding to what he teaches us about dreams, to a number of issues surrounding ‘authority,’ and especially in contrast to today.

Pharaoh, a pagan king, recognized a trustworthy man in whom was the “Ruach Elohim,” when Joseph stood before him. And he acted on that understanding, decisively. In the related haftorah reading (I Kings 3), Solomon asked for wisdom, and was given it. Shortly thereafter, “all Israel…saw that the wisdom of Elohim was in him to administer justice.”

What a contrast THAT is with what we have seen!

Still, though, we are in that time “in-between”.

The combined two-part teaching is here:

As we near the end of the secular year, this time is typically what is referred to as a “slow news” period, in spite of the continued attempts to foment nuclear war, and destroy what’s left of the nation before any ‘transfer of power,’ peaceful or otherwise.

As such, it’s a time where “things hidden are being revealed.”

Such as, we live in a “theocracy,” already. It’s arguably just not the God of the Bible, by any Name.

This week’s reading from the Torah, parsha Vayazhev (Genesis/Bereshiet chapters 37 through 40) shifts the story of the line of the patriarchs to Yosef/Joseph, the first-born son of Rachel.

The Bible tells us there was favoritism, and that is just part of the reason his brothers resented him.

The Erev Shabbat reading covers that beginning, and his sale into slavery in Egypt, the house of Potiphar, and then prison. There is far more, too:

There are a number of major themes in the study of Joseph this week, from what he teaches us about dreams, to that issue of favoritism and jealousy, and the results, to a larger question about ‘adversity’, and how it figures in our lives, and His plan.

But in the middle of all that is one of the most notable “chiasms,” (Mark prefers the Hebrew term ‘atbash’ – for “alef-tav, beit-shin” because the first and last, and second and second-to-last name is so descriptive of the Biblical equivalent of an HTML tag)) in the Bible: about Judah and Tamar.

That theme, of what happens “in-between” resonates.

Because we, today, are there too:

The combined two-part teaching is here:

Since we are still in that “In-Between” time, but the dangers and threats are becoming more obvious by the day, it’s time to consider a ‘contrast’ in potential upcoming scenarios:

So, it’s important to understand what that means.

[Note: Sorry – the original recording for this show turned out to be virtually un-listenable. So that MP3 has been removed, and replaced with the weekly news-wrap show.)

This week’s parsha, Vayishlach (Genesis/Bereshiet 32:4 thru chapter 36) continues the story of Yakov/Jacob at the time where he has left the house of Laban, and begins the return to his hom, as commanded.

And, importantly, that story begins with his encounter with his long-estranged brother Esau, who, as he last recalled, intended to kill him.

The Erev Shabbat reading:

The Sabbath Day midrash includes a look at the prophet Obadiah, and asks a question. Or is it clear?

Because the animosity has persisted through the millennia.

The combined two-part teaching is here: