Shabbat Vayeshev Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 37:1 – 40:23; Amos 2:6 – 3:8 Abstract of the Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem: In our Torah portion, ‘Va‘Yeshev,’ last year, we discussed Joseph as a prototype of the Messiah. We saw the parallels between Messiah Ben-Joseph and the Joseph’s life. Through Joseph’s brother’s rejection, he was sent to Egypt where he attained status of being second to Pharaoh and regarded...

Hanukkah – Change the world...

Chanukkia in Köln < Hanukkah Menorah in Cologne/Germany 2010 Download Hanukkah Greeting Card here »   Once a year heavenly light will be close to us. Meant is not the Christ but in a very different way Jesus of whom a Jewish tradition says: “Now it was the Feast of Dedication [Hebrew: Hanukkah] in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.” (Gospel of John 10:22)....

Shabbat Vayishlakh Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 32:4–36:43; Obadiah 1:1-21 Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem: This week’s Torah portion (And he sent) begins with Jacob returning to the land of his parents after working for his father-in-law Laban. Upon his return, Jacob meets Esau who 20 years earlier sought to kill him. Even though, Jacob had excess riches he was lacking one thing: peace with his brother. Once again he attempts to...

Shabbat Vayetze Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 28:10–32:3; Hosea 12:13–14:10 Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem: Jacob begins his walk with God which was not so easy at the beginning, thus the emphasis is on “And he departed.” He left for a foreign country and place called Haran – far away from his father’s house. It was important that God reassured him of the promise: “…Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever...

Shabbat Toldot Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 25:19–28:9; Malachi 1:1–2:7 Abstract of the Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem: 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 and also Samson… After 20 years of prayer, when Isaac was 60 years old, the LORD in his sovereign grace...