Shabbat Reading and Commentary for week 31, 2008 (...

Numbers 30:2 till 32:42; Jeremia 1:1 till 2:3 Israel is warned against seeking foreign comforts over its divine purpose, and cautioned regarding making treaties with hostile elements – lessons which still have relevance today! By Michal Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem Commentary: In chapter 32 we read of the last preparations of the people of Israel on the east side of the Jordan River before entering the Promised...

Shabbat Reading and Commentary for week 30, 2008 (...

Numbers 25:10-30:1; 1 Kings 18:46-19:21 By Pastor Rolf Piller with reference to a commentary by Michael Schneider (israel today, Jerusalem) Commentary: In our previous Torah portion we read about 3 sacrifices (on each of the 7 altars, 7 bulls and 7 rams). We read further on how Israel was saved by God from the curses the Moabite king Balak wanted to be spoken by Balaam, a man used by God. This is clearly seen in 24:2,...

Shabbat Reading and Commentary for week 29, 2008 (...

Numbers 22:2-25:9; Micah 5:6-6:8 by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem Commentary: We read in our weekly Torah portion about Balak, king of Moab, who was frightened by thevictorious people of Israel after they defeated the mighty Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. (Both of these battles are still remembered in daily Jewish prayers!)

Shabbat Reading and Commentary for week 28, 2008 (...

Numbers 19:1-22:1; Judges 11:1-33 by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem Commentary: This week’s Torah portion contains further “ordinances” (Hebrew: hukkim). First, we read about the “water of cleansing,” an atonement mechanism made from ashes of the sacrifice of a red heifer. The ashes are kept (Numbers 19:19) for the cleansing of a person who came into contact with a dead body or...