BLOG, WRITTEN TEACHINGS, & MUSINGS
For when a video just won’t do, this is the archive of our past articles and other written content.
Torah Portion: Acharei Mot
Overview: “Acharei Mot” focuses on the Yom Kippur service, providing instructions for the High Priest’s entry into the Holy of Holies to atone for the sins of Israel. It also outlines laws against idolatry and forbidden relationships.
Commentary: The Day of Atonement highlights God’s provision for forgiveness and renewal. Yeshua, as our High Priest, fulfills the atoning work described in this portion, granting believers access to God’s presence through His sacrifice.
Torah Portion: Metzora
Overview: “Metzora” continues the laws of tzara’at, detailing the purification process for those who have been healed. It also addresses bodily discharges that cause ritual impurity.
Commentary: This portion highlights the transition from impurity to restoration and the importance of maintaining spiritual cleanliness. Yeshua’s healing ministry reflects these themes, showing His role in bringing ultimate purification and reconciliation with God.
Torah Portion: Tazria
Overview: “Tazria” outlines the laws of ritual impurity, focusing on childbirth and skin diseases, including the process of examining and isolating individuals with leprosy-like conditions (tzara’at).
Commentary: These laws emphasize the concepts of purity and holiness in the community. For Messianic believers, Yeshua’s healing of lepers demonstrates His power to restore not only physical health but also spiritual wholeness, bridging the gap between God and humanity.
Torah Portion: Shemini
Overview: “Shemini” recounts the eighth day of the Tabernacle’s inauguration, during which Aaron offers sacrifices and God’s glory appears. The deaths of Nadab and Abihu for offering unauthorized fire and the laws of kosher animals are also included.
Commentary: The tragic deaths of Nadab and Abihu underscore the importance of reverence and obedience in worship. The laws of clean and unclean animals highlight living in holiness. For Messianic believers, Yeshua exemplifies the holiness required to dwell in God’s presence.
Torah Portion: Tzav
Overview: “Tzav” continues with instructions for the priests regarding the sacrifices, including details on how they are to be offered. The portion also describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests.
Commentary: The consecration of the priests reflects the sanctity required to serve before God. Yeshua, as our High Priest, embodies this sanctity and provides a way for all believers to approach God through Him.
Torah Portion: Vayikra
Overview: “Vayikra” introduces the laws of sacrifices, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. These sacrifices provide a way for the Israelites to atone for sin and maintain fellowship with God.
Commentary: The sacrificial system underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. For Messianic believers, Yeshua’s sacrifice is the ultimate fulfillment of these offerings, providing eternal atonement and reconciling humanity to God.
Torah Portion: Pekudei
Overview: “Pekudei” concludes the construction of the Tabernacle. The portion accounts for all materials used and describes the assembly process. Once completed, God’s glory fills the Tabernacle, signifying His presence with Israel.
Commentary: The detailed accounting emphasizes integrity and transparency in sacred work. God’s indwelling presence in the Tabernacle symbolizes His desire to dwell among His people. Yeshua fulfills this theme as Emmanuel, “God with us,” who brings the ultimate manifestation of God’s presence.
Torah Portion: Vayakhel
Overview: “Vayakhel” recounts Moses gathering the Israelites to commence the construction of the Tabernacle. The portion describes the people’s generous contributions of materials and the skilled craftsmanship involved in creating the sacred objects, including the Ark, menorah, and altar.
Commentary: This portion highlights the unity of Israel in fulfilling God’s commands. The willingness of the people to give reflects the heart of true worship. For Messianic believers, the Tabernacle foreshadows Yeshua as God’s dwelling among us, who fulfills the ultimate purpose of connecting heaven and earth.
Torah Portion: Ki Tisa
Overview: “Ki Tisa” includes the census requiring a half-shekel contribution, instructions for the bronze laver, and the anointing oil. The golden calf incident dominates this portion, showing Israel’s failure to remain faithful. Moses intercedes for the people, and God reveals His attributes of mercy. The covenant is renewed as Moses receives the second set of tablets.
Commentary: This portion reveals both human weakness and God’s immense mercy. The golden calf episode demonstrates the danger of impatience and idolatry, but Moses’ intercession reflects the power of advocacy before God. For Messianic believers, Yeshua embodies the ultimate intercessor, standing in the gap for humanity. God’s proclamation of His mercy and compassion points to His desire for restoration, even after failure.
Torah Portion: Tetzaveh
Overview: “Tetzaveh” outlines the sacred garments for Aaron and his sons as they serve as priests, including the ephod, breastplate, robe, and turban. It also describes their consecration process and the construction of the golden altar for incense, which symbolizes intercessory prayer.
Commentary: The priestly garments reflect the honor and responsibility of those who serve before God. The breastplate, with its twelve stones, represents the tribes of Israel, showing how the priest carries the people’s needs before the Lord. Yeshua, our eternal High Priest, fulfills this role, interceding for us with the Father. The incense altar signifies the prayers of the saints, a sweet aroma before God.
Torah Portion: T’rumah
Overview: “T’rumah” introduces the divine instructions for constructing the Tabernacle (Mishkan), a sacred dwelling for God’s presence among the Israelites. It details the materials to be contributed voluntarily, including gold, silver, and acacia wood, and provides the design for key items such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the Menorah.
Commentary: The Tabernacle symbolizes the relationship between God and His people, serving as a physical reminder of His holiness. The voluntary offerings reflect the heart of worship—giving willingly and joyfully. For Messianic believers, the Ark’s mercy seat points to Yeshua, who intercedes as our High Priest, bridging heaven and earth.
Torah Portion: Beshalach
Overview: “Beshalach” narrates the Israelites’ journey through the Red Sea, their experiences in the wilderness, the provision of manna and quail, and the battle with Amalek.
Torah Portion: Bo
Overview: “Bo” covers the final plagues, including the death of the firstborn, the institution of Passover, and the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt.
Torah Portion: Va’eira
Overview: “Va’eira” recounts the first seven of the ten plagues on Egypt, demonstrating God’s power against Pharaoh’s resistance.
Torah Portion: Shemot
Overview: “Shemot” marks the beginning of the Book of Exodus, detailing the Israelites’ suffering in Egypt, the birth of Moses, and his early life, culminating in his divine appointment to deliver the Israelites.
Torah Portion: Vayechi
Overview: “Vayechi” concludes the Book of Genesis with the deaths of Jacob and Joseph, Jacob’s blessings to his sons, and Joseph’s assurance of God’s promise to his brothers.
Torah Portion: Vayigash
Overview: In “Vayigash,” Judah pleads for Benjamin’s release, leading to Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers. The portion also covers the migration of Jacob’s family to Egypt.
Torah Portion: Miketz
Overview: “Miketz” recounts Joseph’s rise to power in Egypt after interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, and his first encounter with his brothers who come to Egypt for grain.
Torah Portion: Vayeshev
Overview: “Vayeshev” begins the story of Joseph, focusing on his sale into slavery by his brothers, his righteousness in the face of temptation with Potiphar’s wife, and his imprisonment.
Torah Portion: Vayishlach
Overview: “Vayishlach” recounts Jacob’s preparation to meet Esau, his wrestling with the angel, the reunion with Esau, and the incident at Shechem with Dinah.
Torah Portion: Vayetze
Overview: “Vayetze” describes Jacob’s journey to Haran, his marriages to Leah and Rachel, the birth of his children, and his conflict with Laban.
Torah Portion: Toldot
Overview: “Toldot” focuses on the life of Isaac, the birth of Esau and Jacob, the sale of the birthright, and Isaac’s blessings.
Torah Portion: Chayei Sarah
Overview: “Chayei Sarah” recounts the death and burial of Sarah, the search for a wife for Isaac, and the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah.
Elementor #6932
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Torah Portion: Vayeira
Overview: “Vayeira” covers Abraham’s three visitors, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the story of Lot, the birth of Isaac, and the binding of Isaac.
Torah Portion: Lech Lecha
Overview: “Lech Lecha” introduces Abram (Abraham), his call to go to a new land, the covenant with God, the birth of Ishmael, and the institution of circumcision.
Torah Portion: Noach
Overview: “Noach” tells the story of Noah, the flood, the covenant with Noah, the Tower of Babel, and the lineage leading to Abram.
Torah Portion: Bereshit
Overview: “Bereshit” is the first portion of the Torah, describing the creation of the world, the Garden of Eden, the fall of man, and the lineage from Adam to Noah.
Torah Portion: V’Zot HaBerachah
Overview: “V’Zot HaBerachah,” the final portion of the Torah, recounts Moses’ blessings to the twelve tribes and his death.
Torah Portion: Ha’azinu
Overview: “Ha’azinu” features Moses’ poetic song, a reflection on the history of Israel and a call to remember God’s teachings.
Torah Portion: Vayeilech
Overview: “Vayeilech” describes Moses’ final days, his transfer of leadership to Joshua, and the command to read the Torah every seven years.
Torah Portion: Nitzavim
Overview: “Nitzavim” includes Moses’ speech about the covenant, the choice between life and death, and the call to choose life by loving and obeying God.
Torah Portion: Ki Tavo
Overview: “Ki Tavo” describes the ritual of bringing first fruits to the Temple and the recitation of blessings and curses on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal.
Torah Portion: Ki Teitzei
Overview: “Ki Teitzei” contains a series of laws covering various aspects of daily and communal life, including family, social justice, and property rights.
Torah Portion: Shoftim
Overview: “Shoftim” discusses the establishment of a judicial and administrative system, laws regarding kingship, the role of priests and prophets, and laws of warfare.
Torah Portion: Re’eh
Overview: “Re’eh” presents the blessings and curses associated with obedience and disobedience, laws about false prophets, the centralization of worship, and the pilgrimage festivals.
Torah Portion: Eikev
Overview: “Eikev” discusses the rewards for obeying God’s commandments, the reminder of the Israelites’ rebellions, and the exhortation to follow God wholeheartedly.
Torah Portion: Va’etchanan
Overview: “Va’etchanan” includes Moses’ plea to enter the Promised Land, the repetition of the Ten Commandments, and the Shema.
Torah Portion: Devarim
Overview: “Devarim” begins the final book of the Torah, with Moses recounting the Israelites’ journey and experiences.
Torah Portion: Matot-Masei
Overview: “Matot-Masei” covers vows and oaths, the war against Midian, the request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness.
Torah Portion: Pinchas
Overview: “Pinchas” begins with Pinchas being rewarded for his zealous act, includes a census of the people, the story of the daughters of Zelophehad, and the appointment of Joshua as Moses’ successor.
Torah Portion: Balak
Overview: “Balak” tells the story of King Balak’s attempt to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam, which ultimately turns into blessings.
Torah Portion: Chukat
Overview: “Chukat” covers the laws of the red heifer, the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, the death of Miriam and Aaron, and the incident of Moses striking the rock.
Torah Portion: Korach
Overview: “Korach” recounts the rebellion of Korach, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron’s leadership, and its dramatic consequences.
Torah Portion: Shelach
Overview: “Shelach” tells the story of the twelve spies sent to Canaan, the people’s rebellion upon hearing their report, and the decree that they will wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
Torah Portion: Beha’alotcha
Overview: “Beha’alotcha” discusses the lighting of the Menorah, the consecration of the Levites, the Israelites’ journey from Sinai, and Miriam and Aaron’s criticism of Moses.
Torah Portion: Naso
Overview: “Naso” includes various laws and the priestly blessing, concluding with the offerings of the tribal leaders at the Tabernacle’s dedication.
Torah Portion: Bamidbar
Overview: The Book of Numbers begins with “Bamidbar,” detailing the census of the Israelites and the arrangement of the tribal camps.
Torah Portion: Bechukotai
Overview: “Bechukotai” presents the blessings for following God’s commandments and the curses for disobedience.
Torah Portion: Behar
Overview: “Behar” discusses the laws of the Sabbatical year and the Jubilee year, focusing on themes of rest and liberation.
Torah Portion: Emor
Overview: “Emor” outlines the laws for priests, the sacred festivals, and includes the story of a blasphemer.
Torah Portion: Kedoshim
Overview: “Kedoshim” contains a diverse set of commandments, including the central principle, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”
Torah Portion: Acharei Mot
Overview: “Acharei Mot” discusses the Yom Kippur rituals and the laws of sexual morality.
Torah Portion: Metzora
Overview: “Metzora” continues the discussion on purity, focusing on the purification process for skin diseases and discharges.
Torah Portion: Tazria
Overview: “Tazria” discusses the laws of purity relating to childbirth and skin diseases.