Weekly Torah Commentaries

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

Weekly Torah Commentaries episodes

June 06, 2023 Lonely Like Moses
One of the high points of our Shabbat morning service comes as we arise,
open the ark to display the Torah scroll, and chant together, “Vay’hi
binsoa ha-aron vayomer Moshe . . . And whenever the ark went forward, Moses
would say: ‘Arise O Lord!’”
10 min
May 31, 2023 Everybody Counts!
Everyone gets counted in Numbers. And everyone counts! Many people skip
over this portion with long lists of names and details. But this detailed
ancient history should fascinate us! Here, the world of our ancestors is
miraculously preserved for us.
11 min
May 24, 2023 Special Jewels, Sweethearts, and Distinctions
As we prepare for this year’s celebration of Shavuot, we are reminded again
in this week’s reading of the affectionate nature of our God. He calls his
chosen “li segulah,” “my treasured possession.” It’s a phrase reserved for
the Lord’s relationship to his bride, Israel.
8 min
May 17, 2023 Who is Mighty?
Lest we think that creating order in our inner lives is easy or
unimportant, Pirkei Avot 4:1 tells us: “Who is mighty? One who subdues
their [evil] inclination, as it is said: ‘One that is slow to anger is
better than the mighty; and one that rules their spirit than one that takes
a city.’”
10 min
May 11, 2023 The Servant and the Served
Our society is not a humble one. One only needs to briefly look at our
entertainment, our advertisements, and our politics to know that this is
so. In opposition to humility, humanity all too often celebrates pride.
Contrary to the world, however, the Torah puts an exceedingly high value on
humility.
11 min
May 03, 2023 Learning to Trust in God’s Faithfulness
When I was leading my first congregations, I often struggled to explain
what it means to live by faith. People would want to know, “How do I get
more faith?” And then I heard a simple phrase that I have since often
repeated, especially to new believers: “Faith is trusting in God’s
faithfulness.”
10 min
April 27, 2023 What Is This Thing Called Love?
Many people skip over Leviticus, assuming these chapters are irrelevant to
our lives. This week’s parasha proves such people to be mistaken. Taken
seriously, even two verses in today’s parasha can transform our lives in
service to God and mankind.
14 min
April 18, 2023 Staying in a Place Called Calm
This week as we count the Omer, we are examining the middot (character
traits) of Peace and Patience. The Apostolic Witness refers to these as
“Fruit of the Spirit,” and I have found that the fruit of patience and
peace are most evident when I allow myself to live in a place called calm.
9 min
April 11, 2023 Where Do We Find Real Joy?
Real joy arises out of real relationships. Aaron’s shame after the golden
calf incident could only be resolved in relationship. He loved and trusted
his brother. Moses’ words were probably reinforced by a comforting hand on
his shoulder, a genuine smile, and a deep, reassuring gaze.
11 min
April 04, 2023 Real Love Has Legs
The account of our exodus from Egypt is a love story. When we retell it
each year at the Passover Seder, it’s framed by four cups of wine that—the
sages tell us—reflect God’s four-fold promise at the beginning of the
story, ending with, “I will take you for me as a people, and I will be for
you as a God.”
9 min

About Weekly Torah Commentaries

From the publisher's feed

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…