Shabbat Chaye Sarah Readings and Commentary...

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

Shabbat Vayera Readings and Commentary...

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

Shabbat Lech Lecha Reading and Commentary...

Genesis 12:1–17:27; Isaiah 40:27–41:16 Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem: 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!” It tells us this was a step of faith that even believers find difficult to take. He risks everything. Abraham, then called Abram, was obedient. Unlike believers today...

Shabbat Noach or Noah Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 6:9 – 11:32; Isaiah 54:1 – 55:5 [Is. 66:1-24] (because of Rosh Chodesh the Little Hallel is prayed) Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem: In this week’s portion we meet one of the first righteous men, Noah (→Noachide Laws). Through the righteousness of one person all of mankind was saved. That was always the case in history, through the few and the remnant, God was gracious and restrained...