Chai Sarah [Life of Sarah] 2015

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1 through Gen 25:18
Haftarah: 1Kings 1:1-31, 46
New Testament: Mat. 13: 24-50, John 4:35, Heb 11:6-19, Heb 13:6

Though our portion this week is entitled “Life of Sarah,” it curiously records both her’s and Abraham’s death, though, in actuality, he lives another 38 years. Scripture inserts the death of the saints in the narrative when their mission is complete. Like Noah and Shem before him, Abraham remains alive in the background to influence and intercede for his descendants.

The Last Great Day [Preparing for a new beginning]

Shalom talmidim (disciples)!

      The Last Great Day of the Feast of Sukkot is all about new beginnings. This is even more exciting when we consider that this year the Holy Day very possibly coincides with the end of a schmitta cycle. If Jonathan Cahn and others are correct, this means we are about to embark on a whole new cycle of seven years, which has tremendous implications for our welfare. The Last Great Day begins at sundown today 10/4/2015  and ends at sundown tomorrow.  As it is a commanded rest day and, as we have had to vacate our sukkahs due to the blessing of abundant rain, we are thus afforded the luxury of being able to spend the entire Holy Day studying Torah in the comfort of our homes.

       The opening chapters of Genesis contain obscure themes that, properly understood, can enable us to be the head and not the tail in our finances, relationships, health, and every other area of our lives. In fact, the opening portion of the new cycle contains so much information that it is impossible to cover adequately in a typical single Shabbat lesson. Indeed, these foundational chapters are brimming with ideas that could keep us busy with lessons for several months.

       To whet your appetite, please consider what Torah teacher Brad Scott has to say in regard to the subject of dividing or separating, a primary theme in this week’s portion. [Beginners, please consider investing time each week in learning from Brad’s free, in-depth, foundational teachings which you can find here on Yah-tube.]

        I urge you to begin today reading Genesis 1:1 thru 6:8, prayerfully, asking Abba to enable you to see it in a fresh way. Especially consider Yeshua’s role in creation by meditating on the haftorah portion, Isaiah 42:5:21, as well as John 1:1-14, Colossians 1:12-17, Hebrews 1:10.

       Before you begin, let me suggest a one hour youtube video by Kingdom of Messiah Ministries that may serve to alert the viewer to prophetic themes which the Body of Yeshua has largely missed.  Please please grab your pencil and paper and make notes as you watch and as you read the Scriptures. Study to show yourself approved and let us come together next Shabbat having done your homework and fully prepared for a lively discussion.

       I sincerely covet and appreciate your prayers as we begin this year’s cycle.  Shalom and bra’cha!

Chai Sarah – Life of Sarah

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1 through Gen 25:18
Haftarah: 1Kings 1:1-31, 46
New Testament: Mat. 13: 24-50, John 4:35, Heb 11:6-19, Heb 13:6

Though our portion this week is curiously titled “Life of Sarah,” it gives few details other than her age at death in regard to the circumstances.  In Hebrew, the text reads that Sarah lived 100 years, 20 years, and 7 years.  The sages have deduced that at age 100 she was as beautiful as a 20-year-old and as innocent as a 7-year-old. In addition, over the centuries they invested much thought to the obvious question, how did Sarah die?  Because Sarah’s demise follows on the heels of the akeida [binding of Isaac], most believe that Sarah’s death was somehow attributed to it.

Vayera – He Appeared

Torah Portion: Genesis 18:1 through Gen 22:24
Haftarah: 2 Kings 4:1-37
New Testament: Acts 7:2-3, John 8:28-59, Jude 1:1-8, James 1:2-6

My spiritual children have wrestled this week with health issues, been harassed by neighbors, faced economic distress, and been interrupted and forced to intervene on behalf of family who have acted in ignorance.  If you have likewise been tested and tried this week, welcome to parsha Vayera!  But, the good news is, that in every instance, Vayera!   God was faithful, and “He appeared”!

Lech Lecha – Go for yourself!

Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1 through 17:27
Haftarah Portion: Isaiah 40:27 through 41:16
New Testament Portion: Mat. 8:21-22, Acts 7:2-6, Romans 11:24-26, 1 Peter 3:5-6, Rev. 7:9-10

In the span of two weeks, we have traversed the first 2000 years of human history in which the world was created in seven days, Adam and Eve succumbed to the guile of Satan and were exiled from the Garden of Eden, the world became so wicked that the Creator repented that He had made humans, and sent a worldwide flood from which only Noah and his family were saved. 

Noach (Noah)

Torah Portion:  Genesis 6:9–11:32 Haftarah Portion:  Isaiah 54:1–55:5 New Testament Portion:  Luke 17:26-27, Hebrews 11:7, 1Peter 3:20, 2Peter 2:5, 3:9-14

The concluding words of last week’s Torah portion read “but Noah found grace in the eyes of Yahweh.” (Gen 6:8)  We arrive this week at the building of the ark and the salvation of one family from a worldwide calamity.  Encompassed in the “secret place of the Most High. . . in the shadow of the Almighty,” Noah’s family rode out the mother of all storms. 

B’resheet – In the Beginning

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8
Haftarah Portion: Isaiah 42:5-21
New Testament Portion: John 1:1-14, Colossians 1:1-22, Hebrews 1:2, 8-10, 11:13

It is, at best, a daunting task to put together a commentary on B’resheet, let alone attempt to do it in one day, having just returned from the Feast of Sukkot.  The opening portion of the annual Torah cycle not only gives us the Creation story, the fall of Adam and Eve, and approximately 1000 years of history of mankind, it contains the seeds of the most important themes in Scripture.