Genesis 25:19–28:9; Malachi 1:1–2:7
By Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem

Commentary:
In this week’s Torah Portion we meet another childless couple: Isaac and Rebekah (25:21). We can read of several Man of God that shared the same fate like Abraham and later the parents of Joseph, Samuel, Samson and also John the Baptist.
After 20 years of prayer, when Isaac was 60 years old, the LORD in his sovereign grace allowed Rebekah to bear twins, Jacob and Esau. Verse 22 tells us the twins “struggled within her.” God told her “two nations are in your womb…and the older shall serve the younger.” This was one promise Rebekah kept to herself until later. read more…

Genesis 23:1–25:18; 1 Kings 1:1-31
By Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem

Commentary:
Our Torah reading begins with Sarah’s death and ends with Abraham’s death. She was 127 years old. Abraham now set out to negotiate in typical Middle-Eastern style for a burial site. How come that our parasha Chayei Sarah means “the life of Sarah,” although it deals with the death of Sarah?
Jewish sages explain it this way: “The wicked even when they are alive are called dead, while the righteous even after they die are called alive.” read more…

Genesis 18:1 – 22:24; 2 Kings 4:1-37
By Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem

Commentary:
We read in our weekly portion about good hospitality of Abraham and Sarah, as they hurried to prepare the best of the best for the three men of God who visited them in the heat of the day in Alon Mamre. This kind of extravagant hospitality is found in the Oriental nations, the Arabs, Bedouins and the Sephardic Jews. read more…

Genesis 12:1–17:27; Isaiah 40:27–41:16
By Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem

Commentary:
This week’s Torah portion introduces Abraham, the first patriarch. It is here the Lord called him to “Go forth… to the Land which I will show you!” (see also Acts 7:2-3). Hebrews 11:8 tells us this was a step of faith that even believers find difficult to take. He risks everything. read more…