Weekly Torah Lesson

Yosef Returns to Israel Parasha: va yechi – and he lived Torah: Bereishit 47:28 – 50:26 “21 And Israel said to Yosef, Behold, I die: but Avinu shall be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers. 22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.” (Ge 48:21-22 ) ** This is the only reference of this battle. The land that he gives to Yosef seems to have been purchased from … [Read more...] about Weekly Torah Lesson

Parasha: Va Yigash – And he drew near Torah:  B’reishit 44:18-47:27 From a Family to a Nation It took a world wide famine of grain to force Ya’akov and his family to leave Ka’anaan and join Yosef in Egypt. Israel, a small family of seventy persons was about to be forged into a multi million person nation. Here is how it started: The story picks up as Ya’akov’s family arrives  in Egypt and is taken directly to a very fertile plain known as Goshen. Here is how Yosef manages to encourage … [Read more...] about Weekly Torah Lesson

Parasha: va yeshev – and he dwelt Torah: Bereishit 37:1 – 40:23 Just Retribution ** “Just Retribution” is a direct or indirect consequence of our words or actions. Kifa (Peter) teaches, “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” (1Pe 2:20 NKJV) This week’s Torah portion contains a classic example of just retribution. … [Read more...] about Weekly Torah Lesson

Ya’akov Leaves – Israel Returns Va Yishlach - and he sent Torah: Bereishit 32:3 – 36:43 “1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim (two camps). 3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.” (Ge 32:1-3) … [Read more...] about Weekly Torah Lesson

Birthrights and Blessings Here is a summary of how Ya’akov, the second born son, ended up with both the birthright and blessing of the firstborn. “29 Once when Yaakov was cooking stew, Asav came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Asav said to Yaakov, "Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!" (Therefore his name was called Edom.) 31 Yaakov said, "Sell me your birthright now." 32 Asav said, "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?" 33 Yaakov said, "Swear … [Read more...] about Weekly Torah Lesson

Who was Tzarah? “1 Tzarah lived one hundred years and twentyyears and seven years; these were the years of the life of Tzarah. 2 So Tzarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Avraham came to mourn for Tzarah and to weep for her.” (Ge 23:1-2 ) ** Tzara, Avraham’s wife, is the only woman whose age is listed in the Scriptures. … [Read more...] about Weekly Torah Lesson