Parashat Shabbat Mishpatim Readings and Commentary...

Exodus 21:1–24:18; 2 Kings 12:1-17 in addition: for Shabbat Shekalim read Exodus 30:11-16 by Michael Schneider, Jerusalem Commentary: After the Ten Commandments were given, the Children of Israel were given the laws of how to practice their everyday lives. Order and precepts were given to a people who were former slaves who had just been delivered. That’s why, the first of these laws deals with the freedom of a Hebrew...

TOP MANAGER JETHRO or YITRO – Conversion to ...

Exodus 18:1–20:26; Isaiah 6:1-7; 7:1-6; 9:5-6 By Michael Schneider, Jerusalem Commentary: Our Torah portion “Jethro” is one of the six readings named after a person. The others include Noah, Sarah, Korah, Balak and Pinchas (Phinneas). Our reading was named for the heathen and pagan priest of Midian who eventually became Moses’ father-in-law. It is here, we read in the heart of the Torah the most important scripture...

Shabbat Parashat BeShalach Readings and Commentary...

Exodus 13:17–17:16; Judges 4:4–5:31 Abstract of the Commentary by Michael Schneider, Jerusalem: This week’s Torah portion tells us that Pharaoh had a change of heart after expelling the children of Israel from Egypt, leading him to chase after them. The Israelites began to panic when they saw Pharaoh’s horses galloping after them. They were quick to forget God’s powerful work and their praises turned to complaints. Moses...

Parashat Shabbat BO Readings and Commentary...

Exodus 10:1–13:16; Jeremiah 46:13-26 Abstract of the Commentary by Michael Schneider, Jerusalem: This week’s Torah portion BO (“Come”) speaks about the last three plagues over Egypt, where God showed the mighty Pharaoh His great power. The final plague follows with the triumphant Exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt, from slavery into freedom. Jewish scholars explain that the first nine plagues are...

Parashat Vaeira Readings and Commentary...

Exodus 6:2 – 9:35; Haftara: Ezekiel 28:25–29:21 Abstract of the commentary by Michael Schneider, Jerusalem: This week’s Torah portion shows us how the children of Israel first began experiencing freedom from slavery as the LORD began making Himself known to them. God had a plan to deliver his people, first, by bringing them out of Egypt and redeeming them and then taking them as His people (v.6–7). This is also...

Parashat Shabbat Shemot Readings and Commentary...

Exodus 1:1 – 6:1; Isaiah 27:6 – 28:13; 29:22-23; Jeremiah 1:1 – 2:3 Abstract of the Commentary by Michael Schneider, Jerusalem: This week’s Shabbat reading begins in the book Exodus with God leading the children of Israel out of Egypt hundreds of years after Josephs’ death. Egyptologist David Rohl believes the Exodus happened in 1207 BC, including 40 years of wanderings in the desert. For the God’s...

Shabbat VAYECHI Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 47:28 till 50:26; 1 Kings 2:1-12 Commentary: Prophecy is only given to those with “broken heart”. And Jacob had all those years in Egypt lived “with a broken heart.” Thus says Rabbi Richman in the current commentary, watch below. In the Parasha of last week we read about the “Broken Hearts” of father and son. Since one (the church) once had tried to kill me in this way, I have...

Shabbat Parashat VaYigash Readings and Viedo-Comme...

Vayigash Genesis 44:18 – 47:27; Ezechiel 37:15-28 The Temple Institute Jerusalem Rabbi Chaim Richman says: His brothers were in shock when Yosef said “I am Yosef,” thereby removing from their eyes the blinders preventing them from seeing G-d’s presence in every moment and in every action. So startled were they that they could not respond, they could not comprehend. Their souls left them. How much...

Hanukkah and Nittel Nacht Shabbat 5772 Miketz...

Hallel; Genesis 41:1 – 44:17; Numbers 7:24-29; Zechariah 2:14 – 4:7 Abstract of Commentary by Michael Schneider, Jerusalem: In Chapter 41 we read about Joseph’s divine gift of interpreting dreams, including Pharaoh’s nightmare of the seven healthy cows and seven weak cows, which represented seven prosperous years and seven years of drought and famine. GSI: On Shabbat Hanukah – this year the Mikez / or...

Shabbat VaYeshev Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 37:1 – 40:23; Amos 2:6 – 3:8 Abstract of the Commentary byMichael Schneider, 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 as a deity. The...