by Shelley | Apr 4, 2019 | Bible Study
Exodus is the most supernatural book in the Hebrew bible. But it is also the climax, the pinnacle of Israel’s story. All roads in the Torah either lead to the Exodus or link back to the Exodus. Before earth-shaking plagues and parting seas, however, the patriarchs...
by Shelley | Mar 25, 2019 | Bible Study
By Shelley Neese The 54 weekly Torah readings, or Parashat Hashavua, each get their own title. The titles are commonly derived from the first meaningful word or words in the text. Mostly, the titles translate to unrevealing phrases like “And he called,” “Elevate!” or...
by Shelley | Sep 17, 2018 | Bible Study
By Shelley Neese This week’s Torah portion covers Deuteronomy 31:1 to 31:30. It is titled Vayeilech which means “and he went.” As the text opens, the people are about to enter into a period of warfare. To take possession of the land, they will first have to fight....
by Shelley Neese | Jul 27, 2018 | Bible Study
By Shelley Neese Jewish tradition holds that 2500 years ago, Ezra the scribe and Jewish elders created an annual reading schedule which divided the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, into 54 sections. The sections are called parasha, or portion. Following the...