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...

Shabbat Vayetze Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 28:10–32:3; Hosea 12:13–14:10 Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem: Jacob begins his walk with God which was not so easy at the beginning, thus the emphasis is on “And he departed.” He left for a foreign country and place called Haran – far away from his father’s house. It was important that God reassured him of the promise: “…Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever...

Shabbat Nitzavim-VaYelech Reading and Commentary...

Deuteronomy 29:10-31:30; Isaiah 61:10-63:9 With The Burning Bush the story of Moses began, today we are approaching the end of his farewell-story. In German Synagogues it’s usal to sing a farewell Sabbath Song, the “Adon Olam”, at the end of every Shabbatmorning ministry in order to protect us from forgetting that He is the “Lord of the Universe” when we are back in our homes▼ Commentary...

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 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 Chukat Readings and Commentary...

Numbers 19:1 – 22:1; [Rosch Chodesh Isaiah 66] Judges 11:1-33 by Michael Schneider, Israel today, Jerusalem In many Synagoges the Shabbat service ends with the Sabbath Song “Adon Olam” [He reigns] Commentary: This week’s Torah portion Chukat / Hukkat contains further “ordinances” (Hebrew: hukkim). First, we read about the “water of cleansing,” an atonement mechanism made from...

Shabbat Vayetze Readings and Commentary...

Genesis 28:10–32:3; Hosea 12:13–14:10 Commentary by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem: Jacob begins his walk with God which was not so easy at the beginning, thus the emphasis is on “And he departed.” He left for a foreign country and place called Haran – far away from his father’s house. It was important that God reassured him of the promise: “…Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever...

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...

A Happy New Year in a Song for our Readers...

With a musical New Year’s greeting, “I Gotta ‘Love You Rosh Hashanah” (Sabbath songs) from Taglit-birthright israel we thank all our dear and loyal readers around the world and ask all of you, and you personally, for forgiveness if we have violated your feelings as a Jew, a Moslem or a Christian in any article of the year 5770. We look forward to a common path of understanding lying before us,...

Shabbat Nitzavim-VaYelech Reading and Commentary...

Deuteronomy 29:10-31:30; Isaiah 61:10-63:9 With The Burning Bush the story of Moses began, today we are approaching the end of his farewell-story. In German Synagogues it’s usal to sing a farewell Sabbath Song, the “Adon Olam”, at the end of every Shabbatmorning ministry in order to protect us from forgetting that He is the “Lord of the Universe” when we are back in our homes▼ Commentary...