Why Jacob and Not Esau?

Parashat Toldot (Offspring) Beresheet (Genesis) 25:19–28:9 Haftarah: Malachi 1:1–2:7 In my most recent blog entry I wrote about the fact that both Abraham and David were wholly committed to God’s lineage through which His Seed … Read More

A Thread of Redemption

Parashat Chayei Sarah (The Life of Sarah) Beresheet (Genesis) 23:1–25:8 Haftarah: I Kings 1:1–31 In both the Parasha and Haftarah portions this week, we find an interesting connection between Abraham and David, which I believe, reveals … Read More

Hidden Plans

Parashat Vayeira (And He Appeared) Beresheet (Genesis) 18:1 – 22:24 Haftarah: II Kings 4:1–37 There are two very interesting points in our weekly Parashah with regard to Abraham. The first is that God refers to … Read More

Faith, Love and… Circumcision?

Parashat Lech Lecha (Go Forth) Beresheet (Genesis) 12:1-17:27 Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16 In this week’s parasha, we learn of yet another new beginning: the life of Abram. Abram, who became Abraham, the father of many nations in … Read More

There is a Rainbow in the Sky

Torah: Noach (Genesis 6:9–11:32) Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5 In my blog last week, From the Creation of Time, I wrote that I was amazed at how our entire reality is encapsulated in the first six chapters … Read More

From the Creation of Time

Parashat Beresheet: In the Beginning Beresheet (Genesis) 1:1–6:8 Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5–43:10 Once again, the annual cycle of reading the Torah (also known as the “Books of Moses” or the first five books of the Bible) … Read More

Canceling the Scriptures

Parashat VaYechi (And he lived) Beresheet (Genesis) 47:28–50:26 I love the richness of God’s Word and the way the Holy Spirit gives new insight every time we read it. I also love reading through the … Read More

The Blindness of My People

Parashat Vayigash (and he approached) Beresheet (Genesis) 44:18–47:27 When will the Jewish people recognize their Messiah? I closed my last blog, To God Be the Glory, with this thought: “In Genesis 43:3, we find this … Read More

To God Be the Glory

Parashat Mikeitz (From the End) Beresheet (Genesis) 41:1–44:17 In my most recent blog entry, A Matter of the Heart, I wrote about how Joseph’s actions revealed a humble heart towards God, despite the terrible injustices … Read More

A Matter of the Heart

Parashat Vayeishev (And He Dwelt) Beresheet (Genesis) 37:1–40:23 In our weekly Scripture reading, we find the famous story of Joseph. As we have studied before, one of the names of the Messiah is “Messiah, Son … Read More