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 Ki Tavo Readings and Commentary...

Deuteronomy 26:1 till 29:8; Isaiah 60:1 till 22 From 1st Elul thru Hoshana Raba Psalm 27 will be read additionally in the Shacharit and Maariv Abstact of the commentary by Michael Schneider, Jerusalem: The backdrop of this week’s Shabbat reading is the giving of the “first fruit” of the ground “when you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance…” (Deuteronomy 26:1-2). As we can...

Shabbat BALAK Readings and Commentaries...

Numbers 22:2-25:9; Micah 5:6-6:8 by Michael Schneider, 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!) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insert of the GSI editorial . . ....

Shabbat Naso Readings and Commentary...

Numbers 4:21-7:89; Judges 13:2-25 This parashat Naso tells us about to treat jealousy in a marriage, about tests between husbands and wives. Next theme is the Priestly Blessing saying (Birkat Kohanim – Numbers 6:24–26): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insert Priestly Blessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Jewarechecha Adonai we-jischmerecha. Yewarechecha Adonai we-yischmerecha. Ya’er Adonai...

Shabbat Bechukotai Readings and Video Commantary...

Leviticus 26:3 – 27:34; Jeremiah 16:19 – 17:14 Video Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman, The Temple Institute, Jerusalem: Bechukotai, the concluding parasha of the book of Leviticus, is all about the blessings that Israel will receive when she performs G-d’s will and the “curses” or admonitions that she will incur when she doesn’t perform G-d’s will. Leviticus, more than any other of...

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...

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 Ki Tawo Reading and Commentary...

Deuteronomy 26:1 till 29:8; Isaiah 60:1 till 22 From 1st Elul thru Hoshana Raba Psalm 27 will be read additionally in the Shacharit and Maariv Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem: The backdrop of this week’s Shabbat reading is the giving of the “first fruit” of the ground “when you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance…” (Deuteronomy 26:1-2). As we can...

Shabbat BALAK Reading and Commentary...

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!) Balak turned to spiritual powers for help: He called upon Balaam,...