Torah Teaching – “Toldot” (Genesis 25:19-28:9)

Posted on 15 November, 2026 by mark

The Hebrew title of Torah parsha “Toldot” begins with these are the “Generations” of Abraham’s son [of promise] Isaac, but the crux of the story concerns his own twin sons, Yakov/Jacob, and Esau. And in all of these revelations into the lives of these people, there is a major element of what might be called the ‘enigmatic.’

Right up front, Scripture tells us the twins “struggled” (and the Hebrew implies an even stronger word, as does what follows) in the womb. Later, there is a far more serious ‘struggle’ over the blessing of the firstborn. That story has been the subject of midrash, discussion, and certainly even controversy for centuries, because of the apparent deception of the heir to the promise, Jacob, of his own father. And at the instigation of his mother to boot. Certainly another element that could be enigmatic.

And yet, in between is a story that is not in the least ambiguous.

Because the verdict of Scripture of undeniable. And as Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship suggests (bluntly, even!) — there is a reason why it is STILL true that we live in the midst of a nation, and a ‘church’, which “despises” the birthright that isn’t even taught anymore. Arguably, for that very reason.

Segment 1 – Erev Shabbat reading

Segment 2 – Midrash, discussion

The combined two-part study:
“Toldot: A Birthright Despised — Esau IS ‘Modern Sun-god day xtianity”

Posted in 501c(3) "Church", Come out of her...., Idolatry, torah | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Torah Teaching – “Toldot” (Genesis 25:19-28:9)

Torah Teaching – “Chayei Sarah” (Genesis 23:1-25:18)

Posted on 15 November, 2026 by mark

This week’s weekly Torah reading is called “Chayei Sarah,” for the “life of Sarah,” but it also completes the story of the life of Abraham. And, in the process, gives us two of the most important precedents, in the form of stories, in all of what later became known as the “Common Law.”

Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship, first for the reading itself, Genesis chapters 23 through 25:18, and the background on WHY all of this is so fundamental:

The Erev Shabbat reading.

It is fitting that this parsha is at the heart of what was once the basis for all law in Western Civilization – the concept of ‘contract,’ and what it means, and the very related institution of marriage, since this week we also see the first complete description of the process in Scripture. And, as is so often the case, that is fitting, given that this was certainly a ‘tumultuous’ week, now that we have past that “date certain.”

So the Sabbath day midrash begins with an observation about the ‘times of Abraham,’ in this case – the setting for how YHVH shows us what “contract” looks like. It was in a place where Abraham was a “stranger in a strange land,” and dealing directly with the ‘sons of Heth,’ or Hittites – a people group that are among seven of those He intended to be “vomited out” of the land — the Canaanites.

There HAS to be lesson in the parallels there!

“Chayei Sarah: When Lawlessness Abounds: Hittites – then and now”

Service information:

Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.

Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)

Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday).

email: mark@markniwot.com

The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

Posted in 501c(3) "Church", Come out of her...., Law, torah, Torah 101 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Torah Teaching – “Chayei Sarah” (Genesis 23:1-25:18)

Mark Call – Torah Teaching – “Vayeira” (Genesis chapters 18 thru 22)

Posted on 1 November, 2026 by mark

Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for an exploration of one of the most fundamental — and certainly more than relevant today! — Torah portions in all of Genesis:
Vayeira, “and He appeared” to Abraham, Genesis chapters 18 through 22, which includes not only the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the famous ‘dickering’ that preceded it, but the story of the ‘binding of Isaac,’ and perhaps the most undeniable foreshadowing of the Messiah in the Bible.

First, the Erev Shabbat reading of the whole parsha:

Most people who have even begun to study the Scripture “from the Beginning” via Torah are familiar with the Akeida, or “Binding of Isaac,” and the fact that the connections to the story of the Messiah Yahushua, and YHVH “will provide Himself a lamb” are simply undeniable.

But there are some other parallels in this story that, especially today, should be as well.

The fact that they may not be, at least to most of those who SHOULD take note is why the story is so poignant. And no doubt why it repeats, too.

The Sabbath day midrash only begins with some of those parallels.

“Vayeira: Yes, Sodom was a warning, but now? “

Service information:

Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.

Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)

Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday).

email: mark@markniwot.com

The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

Posted in Come out of her...., prophecy, torah, Torah 101, voting, Yahushua HaMashiach | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mark Call – Torah Teaching – “Vayeira” (Genesis chapters 18 thru 22)

Torah Teaching – “Lekh Lekha” (Genesis 12-17)

Posted on 25 October, 2026 by mark

There is a suggestion concerning the first of the Bible’s patriarchs, Abraham, that after the Days of Noach, and Babel, that YHVH decided to “take a different approach” to dealing with mankind. Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa says that, while there is some basis for the argument, it is still True that He “knew the end from the Beginning,” and what played out was in accord with His Plan all along.

And yet Abram, and we, do have free will. The challenges we face have consequences.

And there’s a story, and a lesson, here that he argues don’t get the focus they deserve.

The Erev Shabbat reading begins with the words that become the name of the parsha (Genesis chapters 12 through 17) – “Lekh lekha,” or “get thee OUT!” — of the place where you are, from your country, most of your family, and essentially what you’ve known, and go to a place that “I will show you.” And Abram did it. How’s that for an act of faith?

And it turns out to be just the beginning of what he will be asked to do.

The Sabbath day midrash at least begins to dive in to some elements of the saga, and the implications, from the way that an engineer would see it. No — it’s not too ‘nerdy’.

But the retired electronic engineer suggests that while “testing,” and “sifting,” and several other words may describe a bit of what his life then – and ours now! – involve really is best described as “filtering.” Because a filter not only separates – wheat from chaff, the good from evil – and what we are set apart TO, as well – but it changes that which is filtered in the process.

And Abram, then AbraHam, may be about the best example in the Book, as well as the prototype for now-maligned “patriarchy.”

All of which tells us why there is so much in here that ‘churchianity’ has chosen to ignore. Or worse.

“Lekh Lekha: Filtering – and the Filtered“

Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.)

The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.

Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)

Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday). email: mark@markniwot.com

The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

Posted in Come out of her...., Marriage, torah, Torah 101, Two houses, Yahushua HaMashiach | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Torah Teaching – “Lekh Lekha” (Genesis 12-17)

Torah Teaching – “Noach finale; chapter 10+”

Posted on 18 October, 2026 by mark

This week the story of parsha “Noach” completes, with Genesis chapters 10 through 11, and what happens AFTER the flood. But, arguably, still part of the ‘days of Noah.’

This time we pick up the narrative with the events just after the eight human survivors emerge from the Ark. Some time later, there is a somewhat enigmatic recounting of Ham having done SOMETHING — interpretations and even speculations vary greatly — that result in a curse; not on Ham himself, but his youngest son, who bears a name that subsequently becomes infamous: Canaan.

The Erev Shabbat reading continues through the rise of another son of a son of Ham, Nimrod, and a building whose name has become synonymous with incoherent language. And a genealogy that results in YHVH taking a whole new path with man:

The Sabbath day midrash, from Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship, admittedly asks more questions than we can answer — at least without looking closely at the modern parallels. After all, the ‘Days of Noah’ arguably didn’t END with the Flood.

So it’s the contrasts in this parsha, from the Flood through the Tower of Babel, that we examine. That first event, says the Bible, was a direct result of wickedness, and violence, and YHVH’s observation that “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” It looks a lot like “lawlessness abounds” – then as now. But the subsequent rebellion, where men decided – unanimously? or by coercion? – to “make a name” for themselves, and thwart the will of the One Who brought the Flood to do anything similar, looks more like a ‘Collectivist’ or even authoritarian outrage.

And His response was different, too, and set the stage for a very different way of dealing with Adam-kind.

“Noach – finale: From Anarchy to Collectivism – to Patriarchy”

Service information:

Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.

Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)

Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday).

email: mark@markniwot.com

The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

Posted in Come out of her...., torah | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Torah Teaching – “Noach finale; chapter 10+”

Torah Teaching – “Noach – The Days of the Flood – Gen. ch 6 – 9″

Posted on 18 October, 2026 by mark

This week the story of the Flood takes center stage. It’s one most of us have heard, perhaps even know well. But the beauty of being able to take a ‘deeper dive’ — and the way Mark has divided the parsha this week is intended to facilitate that — is that there are things that too often get overlooked. But that turn out to REALLY ‘resonate’ at “such a time as this.”

The story begins in Genesis chapter 6, and describes a landscape that, except perhaps for the overt demonic elements, like the Nephilim, look more like today than CNN will admit. Especially the description of the preponderance of utter Evil. But that’s not why the phrase “as it was in the Days of Noah” should resonate.

And, as Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship points out in the Sabbath day midrash, even though he’s talked about that aspect before, more than once, there are some things today, given events even in recent weeks, that THIS time around, well – pay attention.

The Erev Shabbat reading this week covers from chapter 6 through 9, and the those ‘days of Noach’ that follow the advent of the rainbow:

The haftorah reading this week, from Isaiah chapter 54, includes the familiar promise that “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper,” but is followed by an arguably less-familiar admonition: that, “every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment thou shall condemn.”

If these really are what they seem to be…days that mirror those both before and after the time of Noach and his ark…then something may need to change in the way we respond to that Evil.

“Noach: The Days of the Flood – AI Consent and Time to Prepare”

Service information:

Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.

Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)

Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday).

email: mark@markniwot.com

The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Torah Teaching – “Noach – The Days of the Flood – Gen. ch 6 – 9″

Torah Teaching – “FAR More than just ‘the Fall’ –Bereshiet chapter 3 on”

Posted on 4 October, 2026 by mark

The Torah reading this week is actually the reason why Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship decided to divide up the first parsha in the Book into a second part. There is just too much here to do justice in a single sitting.

The Erev Shabbat reading this week beings right after chapter 2, and covers up to the “days of Noach.” And that includes what he argues is one of the most important, and misunderstood, stories in all of Scripture. It’s a lot more than just “The Fall.”

And perhaps it’s not at all surprising that it corresponds with the season when it’s pretty clear — at least once you see it! — that the Messiah was actually born, and will probably return, too.

The Sabbath Day Midrash this week builds on ‘the Foundation’, and Mark ultimately suggests is at the very “heart of What Ails Adam-kind.” Why the world is such a mess, in so many ways. First, the reading:

There are many elements of just this second part of parsha Bereshiet (Genesis chapter 3 into the first part of chapter 6) that are vital to emphasize and understand, and not just “Original Sin.” Things like patriarchy (a word which cannot be uttered in Progressive Society any more…) and “God-Given Authority,” and how it has been usurped. Marriage – likewise. Covenant, redemption, and so many others.

And again, “if the foundations be destroyed, what can the Righteous do?” Clearly, ‘the world’ has come a long way from those Foundational Truths – and in the wrong direction. And we see THAT ‘wicked fruit,’ too. So the question must be asked, again: What does He really SAY? As opposed to what men say He should have said.

Every element of this story is fundamental to understanding how the pieces later will fit.

But buckle up for this one. As Mark notes, what is in here, and what has been so neglected, is at the very heart of “What Ails Adam-kind.”

“Bereshiet: ‘The Fall is NOT the Whole Story”

Service information:

Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.

Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)

Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday).

email: mark@markniwot.com

The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

Posted in Appointed Times of YHVH, Come out of her...., Fall Feasts, Sukkot, torah, Torah 101 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Torah Teaching – “FAR More than just ‘the Fall’ –Bereshiet chapter 3 on”

Parsha “V’zot HaBeraka” and ‘Filling in the Gaps’

Posted on 20 September, 2026 by mark

With this reading, only the two final few chapters in Deuteronomy remain, before the cycle begins anew with “Bereshiet” – the first part of Genesis. And the Fall Feasts are at hand, so Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship again decided to “fill in the gaps” with both the major part of the final reading in the entire Torah, from Deuteronomy chapter 33, followed by more discussion that fits with several cycles – then and now – coming to a conclusion, beginning anew, and perhaps even coming to a climax.

There is at least a bit more that will be controversial in here, too, because, well, you can’t actually read Scripture for comprehension with realizing just how much that is at odds with what we have largely been taught.

The Erev Shabbat reading is from the final prophecy to the the House of Israel and the 12 tribes before the end of the Torah, and the beginning of the journey across the River Jordan:

The Sabbath Day Midrash is where it’s time to fill in some gaps, and explore where the cycles converge, diverge, and rhyme.

There is an admonition to the tribe of Levi in verse 10 of the chapter that refers to BOTH ‘Jacob’ and to ‘Israel’ – and yet is not at all redundant. And it outlines the very challenge that still applies to all of us today.

There are things in His Torah that clearly still apply, and are at the very heart of SO much of what is wrong with the whole world today, that it often seems incomprehensible to thus of us who have “seen it,” that they could even BE ‘controversial.’ And yet, these topics that people will dismiss are also things they seem willing to practically come to blows over when they inevitably come up in honest study of His Word.

Isn’t it ironic – OK, not really! – that they come up “at such a time as this.”

“V’zot HaBerakah: Challenges – Then and Now”

or, perhaps it could even be, “TWO Houses – and Bridging the Gap”

Service information:

Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.

Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)

Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday).

email: mark@markniwot.com

The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

Posted in Appointed Times of YHVH, Come out of her...., Fall Feasts, Marriage, torah, Torah 101, Two houses, Yahushua HaMashiach, Yom Kippur | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Parsha “V’zot HaBeraka” and ‘Filling in the Gaps’

The Two [whoring] Houses – and Why Neither Want to Talk About Them

Posted on 13 September, 2026 by mark

OR – Parsha Ha’azinu, Yom Teruah at hand, and a bit of ‘Dealer’s Choice’

The regular annual-cycle Torah parsha reading this week isn’t really ‘regular.’ We’re heading into the Fall Feasts (moedim) of YHVH, so the special readings that go with the Holy Days are on the menu, and only the last few chapters in Deuteronomy remain, before the cycle begins anew with “Bereshiet” – the first part of Genesis. Which is why Mark Call, of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship, has decided to digress a bit, for reasons he explains.

The major ‘Jewish calendar’ (aka, ‘Hillel,’ or Diaspora, etc) lists this Sabbath, the 12th of September Roman, as “Rosh Hoshana,” the ‘head of the year.’ But Scripture consistently refers to it as Yom Teruah, the Day of Shouting, or the Shofar, and it marks the literal countdown for all the rest of the Fall Feasts. And that date – interesting – can vary quite a bit, if you compare calendar understandings.

Which really means the readings, and midrash, for this week are going to be unique.

Some – be forewarned – will also see them as perhaps controversial, largely because current events, and what is too often ignored by BOTH ‘whoring houses,’ is at odds with Official Dogma. The reason why will be made clear.

The Erev Shabbat reading comes from both Genesis and the story of Yitzak [Isaac] — and a bit of the second “Song of Moses from Deuteronomy, and introductory commentary:

The Sabbath Day Midrash begins with the connection between “where we are today,” and “how we got here,” to those things that Mark suggests most people listening probably NEVER heard in a ‘mainstream’ church or synagogue. Because both of them are still in the exile they were promised:
“From Ha’azinu to Aholah and Aholibah: the Oldest Sin Remains”

(some Bible translations spell their names beginning with an “O”)

Service information:

Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.

Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)

Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday).

email: mark@markniwot.com

The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash, via Hebrew Nation Radio.

Posted in Appointed Times of YHVH, Come out of her...., Fall Feasts, Idolatry, prophecy, torah, Torah 101, Two houses, Yahushua HaMashiach, Yom Teruah [aka 'Rosh Hashanna'] | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Two [whoring] Houses – and Why Neither Want to Talk About Them

Torah Teaching for parsha ”Nitzavim – Vayelekh”

Posted on 6 September, 2026 by mark

Parsha “Nitzavim” (Deuteronomy 29:8 through chapter 30) — contains what Mark calls the most concise ‘two-word summary’ of His Word in the Torah, “Choose Life!”

But there is SO much more in this one. And, it’s a ‘double-parsha’ this week, which includes chapter 31, “Vayelekh.”

It’s one of the most important, ok fundamental, er central – all of that, but perhaps the best word is ‘concise,’ paraschot in Scripture. And it combines some of the most important ‘debunking’ of Big Lies, and even the first description of one of the most important prophecies, too.

Mark Call, of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship, covers all of it in the Erev Shabbat reading:

The concept of “choose life!” is so vital to our understanding of His Instruction [or ‘torah’] that it goes way beyond just a summary, or even a ‘razor’ to “rightly divide the word.”

But there is more to that in this parsha: it goes to the heart of Who the Messiah IS, and what He is NOT (a liar, who changed his word, when He said the opposite)…
…it gives us the first prophetic promise of the “Greater Exodus” or regathering…
…and it succinctly debunks one of the other Biggest Lies in ‘sun-god-day skool’ — that “only jesus could possibly keep ‘The LAW’ – ’cause it’s just plain too hard for the likes of you and me.'”

Yahushua, the Real Messiah, said that the path that leads to Life is, “narrow, and FEW there be that find it.” [Matthew 7:13-14] Which should concern those who bought into the big lie that He somehow “did away with” what He Wrote for us, and came in the flesh to teach – correctly.

The test is ‘open-Book.’ And it’s straight-forward. But we had better read what it really says.

“Nitzavim-Vayelekh: Choose wisely – ‘Choose Life!’ “

Service information:

Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.

Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)

Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday).

email: mark@markniwot.com

The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash, via HNR.

Posted in Covenant, Idolatry, prophecy, Sukkot, torah, Uncategorized, Yahushua HaMashiach | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Torah Teaching for parsha ”Nitzavim – Vayelekh”