Parsha Yitro 5777 Proposal of Marriage

Torah Portion: Exodus 18:1 – 20:23     Haftarah:  Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6

New Testament:  (suggested)  Matthew chapters 5-7

photo courtesy of chabad.org

Many Christians, upon beginning to examine the Hebrew roots of their faith, are surprised to learn that devout Jewish people understand themselves to be betrothed to God. Our appetizer this week from  Ray Gardner’s notes for this torah portion, includes fascinating insight into the 12 steps of a Hebrew wedding taken from Eddie Chumney’s Seven Festivals of Messiah, pages 125-135.

Parsha Beshalach 5777

“Measure for measure:  Just as the Egyptians had drowned the Israelites babies, so they were drowned in the Red Sea. The drowning of the Egyptian army occurred eighty years after the sons of Israel were drowned in the Nile river. This means that the generation of the Egyptians that were killed in the sea would have been the children of the ones who commanded the death of the children of Israel.” –Ray Gardner

Parsha Bo by Ray Gardner

 

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Shabbat shalom, saints! As a reminder, ALL of Ray Gardner’s study notes for the complete yearly torah cycle are available on this page, truly a well of living water.  This week’s parsha, Bo, is especially good. Watch for the number three! Can you count them? [Hint: you have to look at the Hebrew.] Curl up on the sofa and prepare to feast!

 

 

Noach 5777

Torah Portion:  Genesis 6:9–11:32

Haftarah Portion:  Isaiah 54:1–55:5

New Testament Portion:  Luke 17:26-27, Hebrews 11:5-7, 1Peter 3:20, 2Peter 2:5, 3:9-14

This week as I pondered the assigned Scripture and Ray Gardner’s rich and detailed  study notes , a few thoughts came to mind.

“Noah walked with God.” This phrase is used only for one other person in Scripture–Noah’s great-grandfather Enoch, the one who lived 365 years “and he was not, for God took him.” (Gen. 5:24)  Scripture emphasizes Enoch’s righteousness by TWICE stating “Enoch walked with God.” [Gen. 5:22,24). The name Enoch means “dedicated, initiated, trained.”  In Hebrew, to “walk” [halak הלך Strong’s H1980]  means much more than to put one foot in front of the other and shuffle along. Rather, it is a euphemism for a manner of thought and, therefore, a manner of life. It is a life view or paradigm and, also, hints at one’s ability to influence.