Parsha “Vayechi” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa

The annual-cycle Torah reading week, parsha Vayechi (Genesis/Bereshiet chapter 47:28-End) not only concludes the story of the life and times of Yakov or Jacob, but of Yosef (Joseph) as well, and the Book of Genesis.

The Erev Shabbat reading:

Among other things, including Yakov’s blessings for his sons, and thus the tribes of Israel, this parsha includes the ‘adoption’ of Yosef’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (or is it Manasseh and Ephraim???) into the “twelve” bribes of Israel. Where Yakov “crosses his hands,” during that blessing.

He asks a question, too. Which seems almost out of place. And yet, it’s also almost as easy for us to just gloss over it, and ignore the potential implications. But is should resonate with us now:

Vayechi: Whose are these? And Who’s are WE?

The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

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Parsha “Vayigash” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa

The reading from the Torah this week, parsha Vayigash (Genesis/Bereshiet chapter 44:17-47:27) picks up at the last, dramatic, “cliff-hangar,” in the third reading dealing with the life and times of Yosef (Joseph).

And it begins with one of the most dramatic transformations in the Bible, in what Mark Call refers to as “Judah ‘Mans Up.’ And this is demonstrably the first time in history where one human being forgives another.

The Erev Shabbat reading of the finale of the story:

There are again a number of major themes in the study of Joseph, and Judah in particular as well this week, and certainly of a different nature than what we saw previously.

And it starts with a transformation. Judah, the brother who suggested that Joseph be sold into slavery, and then returned lied to his father about what happened, ends up facing almost EXACTLY the same situation, over two decades later, with Joseph’s youngest brother. What he does THIS time marks him as worthy of being the father of THE line of kings.

Joseph recognizes what he has become.

Vayigash: Judah ‘Mans Up’ and Joseph Forgives – Two Sides of the Same Coin

The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

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Parsha “Miketz” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa

This week’s reading from the Torah, parsha Mikets (Genesis/Bereshiet chapter 40 through 44:17) is the second reading dealing with the life and times of Yosef (Joseph) and which might be referred to as the “Time In-between.” It begins with “after two whole years,” following his interpretation of the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief baker and butler, when he was NOT ‘remembered,’ but forgotten. Until Pharaoh’s dreams.

The Erev Shabbat reading — “AFTER two whole years” — begins with those dreams, and Joseph’s sudden elevation from prisoner to Number 2 man in all of Egypt:

There are again a number of major themes in the study of Joseph this week, certainly adding to what he teaches us about dreams, to a number of issues surrounding ‘authority,’ and especially in contrast to today.

Pharaoh, a pagan king, recognized a trustworthy man in whom was the “Ruach Elohim,” when Joseph stood before him. And he acted on that understanding, decisively. In the related haftorah reading (I Kings 3), Solomon asked for wisdom, and was given it. Shortly thereafter, “all Israel…saw that the wisdom of Elohim was in him to administer justice.”

What a contrast THAT is with what we have seen!

Still, though, we are in that time “in-between”.

Miketz: It’s a ‘cliff-hanger’ until we know how He plans it to play out’

The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

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Parsha “Vayashev” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa

This week’s reading from the Torah, parsha Vayazhev (Genesis/Bereshiet chapters 37 through 40) shifts the story of the line of the patriarchs to Yosef/Joseph, the first-born son of Rachel.

The Bible tells us there was favoritism, and that is just part of the reason his brothers resented him.

The Erev Shabbat reading covers that beginning, and his sale into slavery in Egypt, the house of Potiphar, and then prison. There is far more, too:

There are a number of major themes in the study of Joseph this week, from what he teaches us about dreams, to that issue of favoritism and jealousy, and the results, to a larger question about ‘adversity’, and how it figures in our lives, and His plan.

But in the middle of all that is one of the most notable “chiasms,” (Mark prefers the Hebrew term ‘atbash’ – for “alef-tav, beit-shin” because the first and last, and second and second-to-last name is so descriptive of the Biblical equivalent of an HTML tag)) in the Bible: about Judah and Tamar.

That theme, of what happens “in-between” resonates.

Because we, today, are there too:

Vayashev: The Time ‘In-Between’

The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

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Parsha “Vayishlach” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa

This week’s parsha, Vayishlach (Genesis/Bereshiet 32:4 thru chapter 36) continues the story of Yakov/Jacob at the time where he has left the house of Laban, and begins the return to his hom, as commanded.

And, importantly, that story begins with his encounter with his long-estranged brother Esau, who, as he last recalled, intended to kill him.

The Erev Shabbat reading:

The Sabbath Day midrash includes a look at the prophet Obadiah, and asks a question. Or is it clear?

Because the animosity has persisted through the millennia.

Vayishlach: Esau is Edom…is…AmeriKa???” Means!

The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

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Parsha “Vayetze” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa

This week’s parsha, Vayetze (Genesis/Bereshiet 25:19-32:3) follows the story of Yakov/Jacob after he leaves home and heads to the place of his mother Rivka/Rebeccah’s family.

And like so many things concerning the Patriarchs, it is not only maximally Politically NOT-Correct, but practically a litmus test for how far so much of the sun-god-day church has departed from the lessons of Scripture.

The Erev Shabbat reading:

There is a whole lot that much of ‘xtianity’ really doesn’t like about this one. And for the same reasons, some of the context may even seem confusing to ‘modern sensitivities.’

Why, for example, is the man who lied to his father to “usurp” his elder brother Esau’s blessing, and birthright, also held up as an icon of “emet,” the Hebrew word for ‘truth’? And why would the Creator of the Universe and Author of Scripture choose to use a man with four wives to bring forth His people?

Is it possible that there’s something in this story that ‘the Church’ would prefer to overlook, or outright hide?

This story is not merely NOT-PC. It’s a glaring example of what so pervades the world that so hates His Word today:

Vayetze: Real vs Fake” Means!

The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

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Parsha “Toldot” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa

Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a two-part look at this week’s parsha, Toldot (Genesis/Bereshiet 25:19-28:9) which is the primary description in the Bible of the life of Yitzak/Isaac, and includes the stories of his twin sons, Esau and Yakov.

The Erev Shabbat reading:

The Sabbath Day midrash is focused on what was originally called a “struggle” in the womb between the two twin brothers. But the Hebrew word (ratzatz) used, and Rivkah’s reaction, suggest it was FAR more intense than a mere struggle.

And it continues, in every way.

Because so does the reason that Esau is “hated” by YHVH.

Toldot: Poor Esau? Or the ‘Battle Has Never Ended?’

The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

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Parsha “Chayei Sarah” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa

This week’s parsha, Chayei Sarah (Genesis/Bereshiet 23:1 – 25:18) essentially concludes the story of the life of the Patriarch, Abraham, but is titled the ‘Life of Sarah,’ and begins with her death at the age of 127. But this portion is perhaps THE most significant exposition of principles once known as the English Common Law in all of Scripture, by example.

The Erev Shabbat reading, from the First Land Contract, to the First “Good and Faithful Servant,” and a prototype for what constitutes marriage as well:

Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa has noted that it is surprising (but perhaps shouldn’t be!) how often the regular Torah parsha reading is so precisely on-target for what it happening in the world at that time. This one seems to be an exception. At least until we look a bit deepeer.

What does a parsha that has EVERYTHING to do with fundamental elements of the ‘common law’ matter in a week where the big issue seems to be whether the world even survives long enough for an inauguration?

The answer is in the contrast: we got here because “lawlessness abounds,” and not only has the “love of many grown cold,” but outright hatred seems to abound as well in its place.

Chayei Sarah: A message for the Remnant – who had better know what “Come in His Name” Means!

The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

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Parsha “Vayeira” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa

This week’s parsha, Vayeira (Genesis/Bereshiet chapters 18 through 22) tells the second part of the story of the life of the Patriarch, Abraham, and includes at least two of the most well-known, and even prophetic, incidents in that sage.

The parsha title, Vayeira, “And He appeared,” refers to YHVH Himself, and two of His ‘malakim,’ or messengers, who appeared to Abraham on the eve of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and is the time when the patriarch famously ‘dickers’ with the Creator on behalf of those about to die. And there is more to that visit as well.

The Erev Shabbat reading concludes with perhaps the famous event in his life, which is certainly not only prophetic, and foreshadowing, but also cited as the epitome of an “act of faith”:

The Sabbath Day midrash is all about a question that Mark Call suggests is something we should be considering today:

Can WE have “faith like Abraham?’

After all, this patriarch is essentially not only the ‘Father of Our Faith,’ but also a man who faith is literally of “Biblical Proportions.”

There are other factors to consider…
…but we can, and must.

Vayeira: The ‘Faith’ of Abraham’ – and what it means for us

The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

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Parsha “Lekh Lekha” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa

Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship this week for a two-part look at the first parsha chronicling the life of THE Patriarch, Abraham.

The Erev Shabbat reading begins with the title phrase, Lekh lekha, or “get thee out,” of your land, your home, everything you’ve known, and go to the place that “I will show you.” He just does so, in an act of faith that has stood as a testament to that faith for millenia:

And, again, there is much in the life of this first patriarch that is so fundamental, so important, and so long-forgotten now, that it amounts to an object lesson about what is wrong with a society which is so clueless about THE fundamental structure of society, and government.

It should be no surprise, then, that so much of what Abraham did, and represented, is anathema to a ‘church’ that prefers its own dogma to His Written Word. From marriage, to ‘works’, to circumcision – there are lessons here that have been twisted, or worse.

The Sabbath Day midrash asks a question that Mark suggests MUST be asked at “such a time as this,” now that the ‘Date Certain’ has passed, but the danger, and the challenges ahead, have only begun.

Do we understand why “the world” so DESPISES everything about “patriarchy”. And why, if we are to “return to Him,” it starts with understanding what the father Abraham teaches us?

Lekh Lekha: Abraham, THE Patriarch, Which Matters NOW – because Some of the Blessings Come First

The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

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