Tetzaveh (You Command): The Beauty of Holiness

February 19, 2016 Everything God creates in His physical world helps us understand His spiritual world. The use of physical gems on the breastplate of the Kohen Gadol is no different. Since these stones represent the 12 tribes, and the breastplate is connected with discovering the will of God, the stones represent how precious Israel is to the Lord and His desire to lead them into His will.

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The Life-Changing Hebrew Roots of Love

February 8, 2016 As Valentine's Day draws near, love is stirring all around us. In English, we say from the heart that we love our spouse, our children, and our job. We also quite sincerely say that we love donuts, our favorite vacation spot, even NFL football. For that reason, the word “love” has become almost meaningless, but Scripture presents it in all its intended glory. The Hebrew roots of the word "ahava" contain a marvelous secret. One root is hav, which means to offer or to give. The other root is ahav, which means to nurture or to devote completely to another.

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Parasha Mishpatim (Laws): The Covenant Code of Freedom

February 5, 2016 Since the Israelites had just been released from slavery, the first of God’s mishpatim deal with servants and slaves. “When you acquire a Jewish bondsman, for six years he shall work and in the seventh year he shall go free...” (Exodus 21:2) Several verses later, the painful experiences of the Israelites in Egypt are highlighted again, this time to create empathy for the foreigner. God commands the Israelites that foreigners be treated with kindness and respect.

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Parasha Yitro (Jethro): Meeting With God

January 29, 2016 Yitro rejoiced with Moses over all that God had done for them; but the next day, when Yitro saw Moses spending long hours judging the people, he was concerned about the strain on Moses. Moses’ father-in-law wisely advised him to appoint other men to occupy positions of leadership to help carry the burden, lest Moses wear himself out. The Word of God tells us which qualities to look for in choosing potential leaders: capable, God-fearing, honest people.

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Parasha Shemot (Names): Like Israel, Like Us

January 8, 2016 There is much to learn from the suffering of the Israelites. Despite the tyranny by the Egyptians, the People of Israel still grew mighty in number. Oppressive circumstances cannot prevent God from carrying out His purposes and fulfilling His promises. We may suffer under some sort of bondage or pain for what seems like a very long time, but we can rest assured that God hears our cries.

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Archaeologists Find Site of Sodom

October 24, 2015 Following excavations spanning ten years, archaeologist Steven Collins, of Trinity Southwest University of New Mexico, has concluded that he has found the Biblical city of Sodom. A layer of ash was discovered along with signs of burning on the remains of one palace. Pottery shards show evidence of having been exposed to extremely high temperatures.

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The Month of Cheshvan: Infusing the Mundane With Holiness

October 12, 2015 As the Hebrew month of Tishrei comes to an end, we begin the month of Cheshvan, the only Hebrew month without holy days. It is a month in which we turn our focus from appointed times with God to things that are more mundane.

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The Torah: The Heart and Rhythm of Jewish Life

September 9, 2015 With Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot almost upon us, we have only a few more readings left in this year’s Torah reading cycle. In just a few weeks, we will once again restart the annual cycle of Torah readings. The Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, which takes place this year on the evening of October 4th, will mark the end of one annual cycle of weekly Torah readings, and the beginning of another.

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Passover: A Celebration of Freedom and Redemption

April 3, 2015 In Temple times, the Passover lambs were slaughtered during the day of Nissan 14. At the same time they were being slaughtered, Yeshua (Jesus) was slain as the Passover Lamb of God so that we may be set free from the bondage of sin and redeemed from the power of the Kingdom of darkness. For that reason, it is not only the Israelites who rejoice at being rescued from slavery at this special time of the year or the firstborn who celebrate their escape from death.

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Tetzaveh (You Command): the Beauty of Holiness

February 27, 2015 Everything God creates in His physical world helps us understand His spiritual world. The use of physical gems on the breastplate of the Kohen Gadol is no different. Since these stones represent the 12 tribes, and the breastplate is connected with discovering the will of God, the stones represent how precious Israel is to the Lord and His desire to lead them into His will.

more

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