Weekly Torah Commentaries

By UMJC - Union Of Messianic Jewish CongregationsReligion & Spirituality Christianity Judaism

Weekly Torah Commentaries episodes

October 26, 2023 It’s About the People
The events of the last several weeks in Israel have left all of us with a
plethora of unchecked emotions. Many of us are experiencing extreme anger,
and a cloud of darkness seems to hover forebodingly. In this age, war might
be inevitable. Few of us can change the trajectory of violence. But we can
decide how we relate to the specter of war.
7 min
October 19, 2023 The Original Influencer
The people around us influence us, and it is nearly impossible to avoid
that. In this week’s parasha, however, we see two examples of people
fighting and winning the fight against the negative influences around them.
The first example is Noach.
10 min
October 11, 2023 How to Respond in an Evil Day
This week’s Torah portion, Genesis 1:1–6:8, is indispensable, as it sheds
light on how to respond in an evil day. The guidance provided in Genesis is
not glib or simplistic; it does not minimize the reality of evil in our
world, or try to explain it away.
11 min
October 04, 2023 “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend Me Your . . . Year!”
In “Julius Caesar,” William Shakespeare takes the liberty of putting these
words in Mark Anthony’s mouth: “Friends, Romans, countrymen; lend me your
ears.” In the drama called life, Judaism takes the liberty of representing
the Creator pleading: “Friends and Hebrew countrymen lend me your year.”
12 min
September 28, 2023 Sukkot and Your Divine Purpose
With the arrival of the month of Tishrei, we enter the serious yet
strangely joyous High Holy Day season. What starts with teshuvah/repentance
at Rosh Hashana will be sealed on the judgment day of Yom Kippur. As if to
give us all a divine break, we have five days from the close of Yom Kippur
to the next major holiday: Sukkot.
8 min
September 20, 2023 Moses the History Teacher Extraordinaire
It’s clear from the beginning of our parasha that Moses has a strong
message to communicate. He begins by calling both Heaven and Earth as
witnesses, and then goes on to say: “Remember the days of antiquity,
understand the years across generations.”
11 min
September 13, 2023 It’s a New Year—Have a Blast!
Rosh Hashanah is Judaism’s Day of Judgment. Sound scary? Actually, it
should be the most enjoyable day of your life. After all, it is your
birthday. It’s everyone’s birthday! According to our tradition it is the
world’s birthday!
11 min
September 06, 2023 Wrapping Ourselves in Messiah
Sos Asis – Hebrew for “rejoice greatly,” is the first phrase of this week’s
haftarah and the title of the whole portion. We have endured, we have
survived, we have overcome because of him, and now we are wrapped in his
righteousness.
10 min
August 30, 2023 When the Way Seems Uncertain
Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going with my life? Is God with
me or against me? I remember all too well the years when those pressing
questions had no answer. And then the library workers at my university went
on strike.
11 min
August 23, 2023 Just Say Nothing
As we approach the midpoint of the Hebrew month of Elul, Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur draw near, ushering in the Days of Awe. In about a month from
now, as the sun sets, the reverberating melody and contemplative words of
Kol Nidre will resonate through synagogues worldwide.
8 min

About Weekly Torah Commentaries

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Reflections on the weekly Torah portions from a diverse group of Messianic Jewish rabbis, scholars, and lay people. Our contributors bring fresh insights to familiar texts, drawing connections to…