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...

Shabbat Bamidbar Readings and Video Commentary...

Numbers 1:1 – 4,20; Hosea 2:1-22 Video Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman, The Temple Institute, Jerusalem: Following a brief hiatus, (the book of Leviticus, which instructs us how to live in this world with G-d ), it’s on the road again for the children of Israel, as the book of Numbers begins. Israel, in the desert, is marching as one man heading toward the land of Israel. But can they maintain their unity?...

Happy Birthday Israel...

End of April the incredible message was brought through almost all media: “EU plans ARMS EMBARGO against Syria. ” The inconceivable at this news is, now on to be accepted as safe, that the EU has so far supplied weapons to Israel’s mortal enemies. Not only that: Syria, Iran and most Palestinian organizations oppose the international law of the right of existence of Israel. And Chancellor Merkel received...

Shabbat Parashat Ki Tissa Readings and Commentary...

Exodus 30:11–34:35; 1 Kings 18:1-39 Abstract of the Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem: This weekly portion (parashat) begins with ransom (kofer nefesh) and atonement money (kessef kippurim) in the value of “half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary” for every man over 20. “The rich shall not pay more and the poor shall not pay less than the half shekel, when you give the contribution...

Shabbat Tetzave Readings and Video Commentary...

Exodus 27:20 – 30:10; Ezekiel 43:16–27 Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman, The Temple Institute, Jerusalem: “And you shall command the children of Israel to kindle the lamps continually.” (Exodus 27:20) The light of the golden menora symbolizes the light of G-d in this world. If so, then why are we instructed to “kindle the lamps?” By actively lighting the menora, we are making G-ds light our...

Shabbat MISHPATIM Readings and Commentary...

Exodus 21:1–24:18; Exodus 30:11-16; 2 Kings 12:1-17 by Michael Schneider, israel today, 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 slave on the seventh...

Shabbat BeShalach Readings and Commentary...

Exodus 13:17–17:16; Judges 4:4–5:31 Abstract of the Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, 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...

Shabbat BO Readings and Commentary...

Exodus 10:1–13:16; Jeremiah 46:13-26 Abstract of the Commentary by Michael Schneider israel today, 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...

Shabbat Vaeira Readings and Commentary...

Exodus 6:2 – 9:35; Haftara: Ezekiel 28:25–29:21 Abstract of the commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, 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)....