Torah

  • He Approach: to Live Among Us

    The sages taught of two different messiahs, Messiah ben Joseph and Messiah ben Judah. This week’s parsha and haftarah reveals the mystery of the two messiahs becoming one and how God used Ezekiel to reveal it. Continue reading

    He Approach: to Live Among Us
  • At the End: The Suspense of the Latter Days

    This portion begins with Pharoah’s dream and ends with the dramatic climax between Joseph and his brothers, who still didn’t know it was him. Their money they tried to buy grain with had been returned to their bags with their… Continue reading

    At the End: The Suspense of the Latter Days
  • He Went Out: Jacob’s Foundation to the World

    In this portion, scheduled for November 22 this year, we see the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant. Jacob fled Canaan because Esau said he would kill him when Isaac died. On his way to Haran, he made an overnight stop… Continue reading

    He Went Out: Jacob’s Foundation to the World
  • He Appeared at the Right Time

    This week’s Torah reading covers the same passage that was read not long ago for Rosh Hashanah, the binding of Isaac. In my post for the readings of Rosh Hashanah, “Rosh Hashanah: Isaac, Ishmael, and the Well,” I discuss how… Continue reading

    He Appeared at the Right Time
  • Nitzavim: He is Coming and His Reward and Recompense Is with Him

    This section of Isiah and the next several chapters that follow describe the Messiah who will come and conquer Israel’s enemies, Messiah ben Judah. Christians believe this is the prophetic description of the second coming of the Messiah. The nations… Continue reading

    Nitzavim: He is Coming and His Reward and Recompense Is with Him
  • Nitzavim: Do Not Ascend. Do Not Descend. Do Not Cross. He Has.

    God gave us His word through Moses, and then God gave us the Word in Jesus. He came down. He was raised. He crossed over and back again. We don’t have to because He is near us now (Mt. 28:20),… Continue reading

    Nitzavim: Do Not Ascend. Do Not Descend. Do Not Cross. He Has.
  • Nitzavim: The Tree that Made Wormwood Sweet

    The root bearing poisonous fruit in Deuteronomy chapter 29 is associated according to Hebrew tradition with hemlock, an herb deadly to humans. Socrates was executed by drinking hemlock. This phrase in Deut. 29 literally is translated “a root bearing a… Continue reading

    Nitzavim: The Tree that Made Wormwood Sweet