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, 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 allowed Rebekah...

Shabbat Chaye Sarah Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 23:1–25:18; 1 Kings 1:1-31 Commentary by Michael Schneider, 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 it this way:...

Shabbat VaYera Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 18:1 – 22:24; 2 Kings 4:1-37 Please notice Current Themes article: Kristallnacht LUTHER Pogromnacht Summary of the Commentary by Michael Schneider, 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...

Kristallnacht LUTHER Pogromnacht...

It was the night of 9th on the 10th of November – Martin Luther’s birthday! – that should be, in 1938, as a birthday present dedicated to him, the man who has called the Germans and the entire Christianity 400 years prior to this date: „Firstly, that their synagogues or schools be set on fire and, what may not burn, be heaped over with earth, so that no human being could see a stone or cinder for ever....

Shabbat Lech Lecha Readings 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...