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 stood as a mediator between God and man. Yet, all he heard were the complaints of the people: “Now you let us die here in the desert!” and “Why did you let us out of Egypt?” (14:11-12).

The Midrash tells us to be careful what you say because the words of dying in the desert were fulfilled 40 years later!

The LORD gives the same answer today during times of panic and distress: “The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent” (14:14) and “Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD!”

God had His hand on His people, not allowing them to pass through the land of the Philistines, along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea (which today is the Gaza Strip where the Palestinians live). They had to go through the desert for several reasons, not only to avoid war, but also because of the threat of assimilation and influence of foreign gods.

God wanted His people to have a real change of heart, which was a 40-year journey. The goal was total surrender and dependency on the Lord! It worked best in a dry and barren desert.

God told Moses: “As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.”

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman, Temple Institute, Jerusalem:
When G-d parted the waters of the Sea of Reeds He also parted for Israel the curtains of illusion allowing them to see the true reality – a timeless moment of recognition of the Divine light surrounding and permeating our world.

From the God given staff, which previously worked wonders in Egypt through bringing the plagues and dividing the sea, Moses used it to hit a rock, pouring forth water for more than 2 million people.

Sadly, we see that even through God’s wondrous works, it didn’t bring true repentance. Just look at the manna from heaven during their days of wandering in the desert.

The manna from heaven became Daily Bread. It becomes a daily provision, not a weekly, monthly or yearly supply (16:18).

The believer should seek the Lord in the morning daily! This also, shows that we are equal in the Lord’s eyes. On Friday, a double portion was given so they could rest on Shabbat. To remember this, we bless two pieces of hallah, braided loaves of bread eaten on Shabbat.

It’s amazing to see that only three days after praising God in the Song of Moses (the Song of the Sea), the children of Israel began grumbling again (15:22).

We find another victorious praise song in our Torah portion in Judges 4 and 5, by Deborah the judge.

So, let’s be thankful and not complain!

Shabbat Shalom

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 divided into three-year cycles. Before every three-year cycle, the LORD commanded Moses early in the morning to stand before Pharaoh in the presence of many (7:15; 8:16; 9:13) and forewarned him of what was coming (7:17; 8:17). The third time of every cycle Moses stood before Pharaoh, it came without warning (8:12).

In the beginning, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, he refused let the people go, but then stepwise he did allow the people sacrifice to the God of Israel. Then he said it was okay for the men, women and children to leave Egypt, but without the livestock and finally God had the victory, calling the children out with wealth and blessings.

Video-Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman, Temple Institute, Jerusalem:

A new world order. Sounds scary, but thats exactly what G-d established
when he commanded Israel, saying, “This month shall be to you the head of
the months; to you it shall be the first of the months of the year. (Ex. 12:2)

Even Pharaoh’s advisors told him to let God’s people go, but Pharaoh’s pride and selfish ambitions kept him from listening to counsel. May we also be careful and recognize our pride early on, willing to humble ourselves and surrender all. The punishment for Pharaoh and ‘all who trusted him’ came later through Nebuchadnezzar when he ruled Babylon (Jeremiah 46).

Remember it took only three days to leave Egypt, but 40 years for Egypt and her cults and idols to leave the minds and hearts of Israel.
In order to know the exact timing of the Exodus we must begin with the Babylonian exile, which we know happened in 586 BOT. If we add another 390 ‘day-years’ mentioned in Ezekiel 4:4-13 we come to the year King Solomon divided the two kingdoms into Israel and Judea in 976 BOT. Take another 36 (40 less 4) years of Solomon’s reign and the 480 years between his throne and the time of the Exodus described in 1 Kings 6:1 and the date comes to 1492 BOT!

Commandments were given, still used today, which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. A blameless lamb should be kept on the 10th of Nissan and on the 14th slaughtered and eaten at the last supper on the 15th of Nissan at the last night.

According to the faith of Christianity the Exodus also foreshadows the sacrificial atonement of the Lamb of God who, although blameless, was slaughtered on the cross. For the Children of God, celebrating the evening before brought salvation, but to those who opposed Him, it brought death. A lesson to us!

Concerning the final plague, the Lord had the final say. While Pharaoh was guilty of murdering all the Hebrew newborns, God went and killed Pharaoh’s first-born child.

Shabbat Shalom

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 the way He saves people from the bondage of sin.

Sabbath Song: Adon Olam

Aaron, Moses’ brother, became his mouth, speaking in his place even though God commanded Moses to speak to Pharaoh. But all this shows is that it’s a waste of time to try and argue with God because His plans will always be accomplished.

God wanted to show His power in the battle between God and man as he did with Pharaoh and showed all of Egypt (the world) His ‘great judgments’ (7:4). He works the same today, showing the nations His work of restoring and returning His people back to their Land – even in much greater dimensions, according to the prophet Jeremiah in chapter 23:7–8.

There’s a story of a minister who was preaching in northern Alaska about the ‘Return of the Jews.’ More than 5,000, including Eskimos trekked through the arctic ice to hear of God’s mighty work in our time.

The world watched and was amazed. The birth of the State of Israel became the greatest miracle of the century!

In Ezekiel, the prophets says, “When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will show myself holy among them in the sight of the nations… They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God” (28:25-26).

We first read about seven of the 10 plagues before deliverance from Egypt, in an ascending order of distress. They began by striking nature first, then the animals, followed by man.

It is remarkable that during the plagues, the children of Israel were set apart. They didn’t suffer as plagues rained down on Egypt (8:22). In spite of the blood, they were able to drink clean water and received light in the land of Goshen, despite the darkness. God, also, takes care of His children in today’s dark world.

However, before God plagued Egypt, He always hardened Pharaoh’s heart. As Moses demanded, “Let my people go, so that they will serve Me!” These words threatened Pharaoh as felt he’d lose his power.

This is why the first part of the command is easier with an emphasis on ‘Let my people go!’ The second part, ‘So that they will serve Me!’ is harder to follow and is why those of us who are stubborn will fail.

God did His part in delivering His people, now it’s our turn to have a change of heart.

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 Sabbath International Readership:
Here is a film about Exodus of 52 min. duration

From 70 of the house of Jacob a nation of 600,000 men was born. At this time, his descendents “did not know Joseph,” know meaning in Hebrew the same as “loved.”

The people of Israel encountered greater hardships. It is the first time in scripture where affliction’s end came with deliverance and salvation!

When the murder of children on the Nile began (v. 22), God heard the cries of his people and remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Lord did not answer before accomplishing great things.

Chapter two begins with the birth of Moses whose life was spared as his mother placed him in a basket down the Nile, leading to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became known as the “Prince of Egypt.”

Chapter three tells of Moses’ first encounter with God at the “burning bush,” where the LORD promised him a “Land flowing with milk and money,” and so the exodus begins. It was also here the LORD called Moses to deliver the people out of Egypt.

The following chapter speaks of human weakness as Moses asks, “what should I say or do…so they can believe me.” Don’t we sometimes struggle with having faith?

Moses confronted the heard-hearted Pharaoh with only and staff and great faith because he was sure God would give him the words to speak.

Yet, we find verse 16 most interesting as it says, “…he will be as a mouth for you and you will be (as) God to him!” What does this mean? Moses actedd as a mediator between man and God, a representative of God.

God forewarned Moses of the difficulty he’d encounter when approaching Pharaoh, but assured him that it would be the power of the Almighty God of Israel that would rescue the children of Israel.

Our portion ends with the words from Isaiah 29:23. “But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, They will sanctify My name; Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.” Here is our comfort!

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 Egyptians also used the concept of the trinity with three Pharaoh’s. He became a stranger to his brothers because he was now ‘Egyptian’ and they could not recognize him.

Hanukkah Sameach

David, like Joseph has a similar story. Both were shepherds and despised by their brothers. Samuel anointed David as king at 17, but it wasn’t until age 30 when he reigned over Israel. Joseph’s life in Egypt began at 17, but he didn’t sit ‘at the right hand’ of Pharaoh until 30. Both, Joseph and David, were sons from another mother, which Jewish scholars claim was the reason for David’s ‘red’ look and why “Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons…”

Chapter 38 interrupts with a different story: the deceitful affair between Judah and Tamar, his daughter-in-law. Judah, in the chapter before intervenes and saves his brother’s life (37:26-27). One interpretation says it’s the reason his descendants are of the royal line in the kingdom of Israel. Judah (where the word ‘Jew – yehudi’ comes from) desired for his sons to produce offspring so they could continue his forefather’s blessing.

When Judah’s oldest son, Er, passed away, his wife Tamar was given to Onan. “Lie with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother” (38:8). But, after Onan died, Judah told Tamar to go back to her father’s home until the third son Shela grew up.

Many years passed and the agreement was forgotten. But, when Tamar saw her father-in-law she sought revenge. She took off her widow’s clothes (38:14), which were a sign she was waiting for Judah to fulfill his promise, and covered her face so he couldn’t recognize her. Once protected from evil she was now covered with the mask of sin and deceit. Out of rage and revenge she dressed like a prostitute and Judah fell into ‘her snare’ (Proverbs 7).

Once her sin was made known, Judah confessed, “She is right, I am to blame.” Tamar went on to give birth to – again – twins, Peretz and Zerach (38:25 – 26). Again, the younger (Peretz) struggled to be born first, like with Esau and Jacob.

Another similarity we find is that Tamar shows Judah his three belongings: his ring, cord and staff. She says, “Recognize please…” (Hebrew haker-na; 38:25), which reminds us of the same words used in the chapter before as Judah himself deceived his father with Joseph’s coat and said: “Recognize please…” (37:32). What Judah did to his father through deceit Tamar did to him.

We can ask ourselves why the LORD allowed the marriage to be ‘legitimate’ even though it was incest and allow the heirs to be a part of the Messianic line of David? God allowed it to happen! Tamar even became one of the four ‘non-Jewish’ mothers along with Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba.

Hag Hanukkah Sameach (Hanukkah →Erev Hanukkah is 2011, December 20)

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 way of avoiding conflict with Esau. He heard that 400 men were escorting Esau and “he was scared” (32:8). He divided the camp into two, using a typical military strategy, so that one camp would survive. This tactic is still used by Israel, the sons of Jacobs, today. This happens when we fear because we do not fully trust the Lord.

Jacob reminded God of his promise (32:10-11, 13): “Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother…” he pleads. “But you have said… my descendants will be like sand of the sea…”

– much of sand – much of love – much of confidence –

– so how come that Jacob is standing now before a great danger? Are these not similar situations believers face?

Jacob tried with all his wealth and riches to flatter his brother. He didn’t know God also had blessed Esau and changed his heart. Jacob sent his wives and children to the back of the camp for safety, but he stood up front all alone. It was when he thought everything was ‘under control’ that he had an encounter with the Lord that night. Jacob wrestled with a Man who said. “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (32:26).

Every believer needs to have this experience otherwise he will wrestle and struggle all his life. Man needs to let go of his life and allow the Lord to take control. Jacob needed to come to this point so God could rename him to ‘Isra-El,’ God will strive (for you). “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed (32:28).”

The deceitful and manipulative characteristics of Jacob turned into Fear of God. He was released from the fear of man and was able to meet his brother through trusting God.

The site was called Peniel, because “he saw God face to face” (panim means face and also refers to internal; 32:30). At the meeting with Esau the term ‘VaYera’ (and he feared; 32:7) changed to ‘VaYare’ (and he saw; 33:1).

In chapter 34, we read about Jacob’s daughter Dinah who was “violated” by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, who then wanted to marry her (34:9, 21). The brothers of Dinah sought revenge, murdering the sons of Hamor after the men of Hamor had submitted to Jacob’s son’s wishes and were pain as they were circumcised.

Chapter 35 speaks about the cleansing of all idols influenced by pagan nations surrounding them in Bethel and of the death of Rachel during the birth of her second child, Benjamin. Isaac, Jacob’s father died at the age of 180 and was also buried by his two sons, Esau and Jacob, at Hebron.

Jacob and Esau, like Abraham and Lot, also had an abundance of flocks and herds, which became so great they needed to go their separate ways. Later we will see that one of Esau’s descendants, Amalek, will become Israel’s biggest enemy (36:12).

Shabbat Shalom

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 to bear twins, Jacob and Esau. Verse 22 tells us the twins “struggled within her.” God told her “two nations are in your womb … and the older shall serve the younger.” This was one promise Rebekah kept to herself until later.

We find parallels between Abraham’s life story to Isaac’s, such as the times of famine and both men lying to authorities, claiming that their wives were their sisters. Isaac did so, lying to the Philistine king in Genesis 26:7. So the lesson was not learned!

A Jewish commentary says, why was Jacob cooking lentils? It was during the Shiva (the seven-day mourning to eat lentils during the mourning period. And how old was Jacob and Esau when Abraham their grandpa passed away? They were 15 years old. Thus, the three patriarchs, Abraham, Yitzhak (Isaac) and Jacob, lived during the same period for 15 years.

But Isaac and Rebekah’s younger received the covenant blessing of promise also in following generations. Jacob even favoured Joseph’s younger sons in blessings over the older ones, so with Ephraim. While this seems unfair to man, God looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7).
To the question ‘Why Jacob and not Esau?’ we find answer in our prophet portion in Maleachi 1…

Now, why did God hate Esau? Esau didn’t value God’s blessing and was ready to sell it for bread and lentil soup. Genesis 25:34 says, “So Esau despised his birthright…”

Jacob, in Hebrew is related to the word “akev” meaning “heel” (25:26). “Akov,” also related, means ‘deceitful’, like the heart of man (Jeremiah 17:9). Yes, Jacob – even if it meant receiving the blessing from God – was a deceiver (27:35) – we would even call it today a tricky manipulator. He attempted to do all in his own strength until he wrestled with God “face to face” at Peniel. From this time on, Jacob was called:

„Isra-El, or God strives (for you) “.

The same will happen to the “Sons of Jacob” as a nation, Israel will meet His Saviour and not needing anymore to “put on clothes of someone he is not”!
Esau, today, would be identified as a “real man,” the type of son who makes his father proud as a skilled hunter. Jacob, on the other hand, would be called a “mama’s boy” as a quiet guy who hung around at home.

Nevertheless, Esau was disobedient to his father taking foreign wives while Jacob obeyed his father (28:6-7). But Jacob listens to the will of his father.
Jacob received the blessing by deceiving his father with the help of his mother, but it came at a price. Although Rebekah took the curse on her (27:13), Jacob had to leave his parents’ tents to flee the wrath of his brother. There Jacob met an even greater deceiver – his future father-in-law, Laban.
That’s how the LORD works sometimes in order to humble the prideful heart/man.
“If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart,
To give glory to My name,” says the LORD of hosts,
“ I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings.
Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart.” (Malachi 2:2; from our Haftara)

Shabbat Shalom

Titlepicture © by Frank Rothert 2007 /
Retouched by God’s Sabbath International 2011

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 songs according to the Haftarah, see down.

Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11; Haftara: Isaiah 40:1-26

Extracts of the Commentary by Michael Schneider,
Israel today, Jerusalem:
Our weekly reading begins with a moving prayer by Moses requesting that God allow him to enter the Promised Land, despite his earlier sin of striking the rock for water when he was instructed to merely speak to it. Moses has been waiting most of his life to see the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel. The Lord is merciful, and grants Moses half of his request by letting him see in a supernatural way from Mount Nebo all of the land from the Golan in the north to the Negev in the south.

Moses knew his people, therefore he warned them strongly before he died: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live! Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (4:9)

In chapter five Moses repeats the Ten Commandments, and in chapter six he reiterates the Torah’s Mega-Mitzvah: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (6:4-5 … Even today, those are the words a Jew recites before he dies.)

At the end of our reading Moses explains why God choose this people. Not because it is great and mighty, but rather the opposite is true: because it is the smallest of the nations! God Almighty chose Israel so that He could do mighty wonders and signs through this rebellious, stiff-necked people, because “in our weakness His power is perfected!”

Interestingly, all the readings from the prophets corresponding to the Torah readings through Deuteronomy, the fifth book of Moses, are from the Book Isaiah. Jesus and the apostles also often quoted from Isaiah (in Hebrew Yeshayahu – YAH will save).

This week’s reading from Isaiah starts with the words: “Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God. Speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.”

Yes, indeed, this people has received a double portion of punishment. But guess what? It also will receive a double portion of blessing!
(By the way, read verse 22 carefully and you will see clear biblical proof that the earth is round! – “He who sits above the circle of the earth.” No need for Leorndado Di Vinci’s “discovery.”)

Shabbat Shalom

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 tribes, Reuben and Gad, asked Moses to get as their inheritance the lands east of the Jordan.

Moses reacted angrily: It could “discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the LORD has given them.” Moses feared other tribes would likewise prefer to remain where they were rather than fight for possession of the Land, and he reminded Reuben and Gad what happened when then Ten Spies brought the discouraging report about giants 40 years earlier. The agreed upon compromise was that Rueben and Gad would leave their women, children and livestock behind in the greener pastures east of the Jordan, while “every man, armed for battle, will cross over to fight before the LORD” until the whole land was captured.

An ancient Jewish text notes that “three divine gifts were given to the world: Wisdom, valor and riches. But if they are not given by God, they won’t endure.”

Reuben and Gad performed their duty, but did so with a look to their own capital, inwardly detaching themselves from their brothers in a way that would later see an outward implementation (see 1 Chronicle 5:25).

How does this relate to the mindset of European and American Jews today? Is it not often their material riches that keep them from immigrating to Israel and assisting in the building and defense of this nation?

Those who want to immigrate to Israel but cannot, they can be helped! But he who can and is not willing, he can’t be helped. While they were forcibly held in exile, they could reject the influence of the heathen environment. Yet in the moment, when they choose voluntarily to live in exile, the assimilation started to nibble at them; intermarriage and foreign cults unhinged them from their people and faith.

The Holocaust began in Germany, where the Jews at the time were more assimilated than in any other place. Theodor Herzl’s “The Jew State” was first published in German, therefore the German Jews were the first that the idea of the Zionism was proposed to, but they rejected it. Their comfort and wealth in Germany were more important to them than returning back to the land of the forefathers.

In our reading from the prophets we see an interesting parallel: As with the Second Lebanon War the summer before last, and now new threats from Hizballah and Iran, we read in Jeremiah chapter one: “Out of the north the evil will break forth on all the inhabitants of the land” (verse 14). Not a coincidence!

What a word of comfort the prophet Jeremiah gives in verse 5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

… in conclusion, an encouraging word to the people of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 2:2): “I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, the love of your betrothals, your following after Me in the wilderness…”

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 spies returned with a negative and frightening report. They confirmed that the land was flowing with milk and honey (13:27), but also warned about the presence of giants (anakim), thus discouraging the people and putting disbelief and fear in their hearts.

Unfortunately, the people in these passages, as most people today do, listened to the majority, the hopeless report of the 10 spies.

The negative report and the people’s acceptance of it brought a harsh punishment: “According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition.” (14:34)

It was probably a huge shock for the people, who were so desperate to enter the Promised Land. The whole generation of the exodus – except for Joshua and Caleb, the two faithful spies – was to die in the desert.

Because of this tragic turn of events caused by man’s tendency to rely on his own understanding, this week’s Torah portion ends with the commandment to wear tzitzit – tassels on the corners of one’s garments – “to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes.” (15:39)

Our eyes must focus on the Word of God, on Him, and not on what’s going on around us. Today we call this living by faith and not by sight!

The word “scouting” that is used in these passages is from the Hebrew word “tar” or “latur,” from which we get the word for tourist (tayar).

May those who live abroad and the tourists who come today to Israel see the Land as Joshua and Caleb saw it – through the eyes of God, in faith, not to be deterred by reports of danger.

Shabbat Shalom