Gods Sabbath

Shabbat Reading and Commentary for week 29, 2008 (starts July 13th), Shabbat BALAK:

Eric — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:17:53 +0000

Numbers 22:2-25:9; Micah 5:6-6:8
by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem

Commentary:
We read in our weekly Torah portion about Balak, king of Moab, who was frightened by thevictorious people of Israel after they defeated the mighty Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. (Both of these battles are still remembered in daily Jewish prayers!) (more…)

Shabbat Reading and Commentary for week 28, 2008 (starts July 6st), Shabbat Hukkat:

Eric — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:33:58 +0000

Numbers 19:1-22:1; Judges 11:1-33
by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem

Commentary:
This week’s Torah portion contains further “ordinances” (Hebrew: hukkim). First, we read about the “water of cleansing,” an atonement mechanism made from ashes of the sacrifice of a red heifer. The ashes are kept (Numbers 19:19) for the cleansing of a person who came into contact with a dead body or became unclean even by touching a grave. (more…)

Shabbat Reading and Commentary for week 27, 2008 (starts June 29th), Shabbat Shlach Korah:

Eric — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:42:48 +0000

Numbers 16:1-18:32; Haftara: Isaiah 66:1-24
Ministry leaders today should trust in God alone and not respond aggressively to threats to their authority.
by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem

Commentary:
This Shabbat’s Torah reading is about Korah’s rebellion. Korah descends from the Levitical family of Kehat. Altogether, there were 250 renowned men that “rose up” against Moses by doubting his and Aaron’s authority as the chosen national leaders. (more…)

Shabbat Reading and Commentary for week 26, 2008 (starts June 22nd), Shabbat Shlach lecha - send:

Eric — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:45:03 +0000

Numbers chapters 13:1 - 15:41; Haftara: Joshua 2,1-24
By Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem

Commentary:
On this Shabbat, we find the story of the 12 spies (Numbers 13:1 - 15:41), the first Mossad. Moses sent the spies to scout the Promised Land. How many people are there? What are their military capabilities? Is the land fruitful? (13:18-20). Those are legitimate questions that responsible people should and have to know. (more…)

With the exception of the Pope himself finally every Catholic theologian seems to have comprehended – whereas Protestants remain haughty against God, Jews and Ismailites

Eric — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:45:31 +0000

Although the word „theologian“ – the teaching about God - is already a kind of blasphemic presumption, at this point praise is due to the theologians – at least the Catholic ones! But convince yourself and read in the GENERAL-ANZEIGER BONN from Friday, May 30th 2008 under the following headline:

Catholic, Jew and Moslem fraternize
On the academic day “diversity of religions” met representatives of the five world religions. Besides shared opinions the disparity of views was clear to be seen…At the end of the assessment amongst the three monotheistic beliefs an interesting block was built. The Catholic professor of theologian Hans Weidenfels, who used to teach at the University of Bonn, claimed with vehemence to pray to the same God like Jews and Muslims. In opposition to him the Protestant representative persisted on the opinion that they were talking about completely different gods. (more…)

Shavuot 5768, Shabbat-Readings:

Eric — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:40:31 +0000

Exodus 19:1-20:23 and Numbers 28:26-31; Book of Ruth
Haftara: Ezekiel 1:1-28 and 3:12
1st Shavuot-day June 9th, 2008,
2nd Shavuot-day June 10th, 2008

By israel today, Jerusalem

Abstract out of the reading:
In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on the very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (more…)

Shabbat Reading and Commentary for week 21, 2008, Shabbat - BeHar (On the mountain):

Martienssen Eric C. — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:20:05 +0000

21th week
Shabbat Reading and Commentary
“BeHar – Leviticus 25:1 – 26:2; Jeremia 32:6-27
By Michael Schneider

Commentary:
This week`s portion is “BeHar – At the mount (Sinai),” God’s appointed times of rest are stressed. God ordered resting times for mankind and for nature, which He connected with the number seven (sheva). (more…)

ARD, Interior Minister Schäuble: Stroke against Spiritual Arsonists – when finally also against Lutherans? – whole-hearted congratulations for your 60th birthday, Israel

Eric — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:11:24 +0000

By Eric C. Martienssen - english translation by Pastor Rolf Piller

In due time, on May 7th, 2008, the day preceding the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Israel‘s birthday, transmitted the working cooperation of public broadcasting bodies in Germany (ARD – also called First German Television) an encouraging report. In it, according to the Interior minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, is reported about „a stroke against Spiritual Arsonists“ of the Nazi- and Holocaust denial scene. However, Christian Ahrendt from the parliamentary section of FDP, finds with regard to the ban of the rightwing extremist organisation „Collegium Humanum“, that 45 years are too long, to forbid such an association, that worked since 1963 in the right scene. (more…)

Shabbat Reading and Commentary for week 19, 2008, Shabbat KEDOSHIM (Holy ones):

Eric — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:55:27 +0000

Leviticus 19:1–20,27; Haftarah: Eze 20:2-20, 22:1-19
by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem

Commentary:
Our weekly Torah portion continues with additional rules and guidelines for the children of Israel, this week, how to live Holy and pure lives before the LORD. (more…)

Shabbat-Reading, Shabbat Pesach (Passover) 5768:

Eric — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:16:25 +0000

The weekly Parashot-Rhythm will be set out on Shabbat of Pesach-Feast. What will be read is
The Song of Songs (Shir HaShirim), Exodus 13:17-15:26, Numbers 28:19-25; 2.Samuel 22