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 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...

Shabbat Vayishlakh Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 32:4–36:43; Obadiah 1:1-21 Commentary by Michael Schneider, 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 create his own...

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 Nachamu Shabbat VaEtchanan Commentary...

The Shabbat after Tisha B’Av is also called “Shabbat Nachamu”, Shabbat of consolation, for now, after three weeks of mourning (Bejn haMejzarim – between the afflictions) to the destruction of the temple, seven weeks will follow in which the life in full color splendor is to return. “Nachamu Ami” (“Be comforted my people”) the people will sing … … the Sabbath...

Shabbat Matot Readings and Commentary...

Numbers 30:2 till 32:42; Jeremia 1:1 till 2:3 Israel is warned against seeking foreign comforts over its divine purpose, and cautioned regarding making treaties with hostile elements – lessons which still have relevance today! By Michal Schneider, Jerusalem Commentary: In chapter 32 we read of the last preparations of the people of Israel on the east side of the Jordan River before entering the Promised Land. Two...

Shabbat Shlach Lecha Readings and Commentary...

Numbers chapters 13:1 – 15:41; Haftara: 2:1-24 by Michael Schneider, 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. Ten...