
194 episodes

Weekly Torah Commentaries UMJC - Union Of Messianic Jewish Congregations
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- Religion & Spirituality
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5.0 • 4 Ratings
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Reflections on the weekly Torah portions from a diverse group of Messianic Jewish rabbis, scholars, and lay people. Our contributors bring fresh insights to familiar texts, drawing connections to events across the whole of Scripture (including the Gospels and Epistles), and suggesting practical applications of these insights to our postmodern lives.
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“Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend Me Your . . . Year!”
In “Julius Caesar,” William Shakespeare takes the liberty of putting these
words in Mark Anthony’s mouth: “Friends, Romans, countrymen; lend me your
ears.” In the drama called life, Judaism takes the liberty of representing
the Creator pleading: “Friends and Hebrew countrymen lend me your year.” -
Sukkot and Your Divine Purpose
With the arrival of the month of Tishrei, we enter the serious yet
strangely joyous High Holy Day season. What starts with teshuvah/repentance
at Rosh Hashana will be sealed on the judgment day of Yom Kippur. As if to
give us all a divine break, we have five days from the close of Yom Kippur
to the next major holiday: Sukkot. -
Moses the History Teacher Extraordinaire
It’s clear from the beginning of our parasha that Moses has a strong
message to communicate. He begins by calling both Heaven and Earth as
witnesses, and then goes on to say: “Remember the days of antiquity,
understand the years across generations.” -
It’s a New Year—Have a Blast!
Rosh Hashanah is Judaism’s Day of Judgment. Sound scary? Actually, it
should be the most enjoyable day of your life. After all, it is your
birthday. It’s everyone’s birthday! According to our tradition it is the
world’s birthday! -
Wrapping Ourselves in Messiah
Sos Asis – Hebrew for “rejoice greatly,” is the first phrase of this week’s
haftarah and the title of the whole portion. We have endured, we have
survived, we have overcome because of him, and now we are wrapped in his
righteousness. -
When the Way Seems Uncertain
Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going with my life? Is God with
me or against me? I remember all too well the years when those pressing
questions had no answer. And then the library workers at my university went
on strike.