THIS WEEK’S TORAH PORTION DEUTERONOMY 3:23-7:11 Parashat Va’etchanan / ) ( &$' % "#$ !
In this week’s guide…
Rabbi Jason’s COMMENTARY digs down deep into the most foundational of all Jewish prayers (which appears in this week’s parashat): the Shema. Typically, this prayer is both the first and the last one in the lips of the Jewish people, in early childhood and at the moment of their passing. We not only learn the theological significance of this prayer, we go deeper into the typographical significance the Shema has in the Torah scroll. Fascinating and equipping content! Our NEW TESTAMENT TIE-IN considers Moses’ opening words to the younger generation, the one about to enter the Promised Land. After he described the tragic moment of the Twelve Spies and Israel’s military victories, Moses revisited the original encounter with YHWH at Mount Sinai. One phrase he includes in that description transports us to the Gospels and Yeshua’s testimony about Himself. We have the grace to live into our calling, much like that younger generation did when they conquered Canaan. BY THE NUMBERS invites us on a journey into our own past experiences with the Lord…with an eye on the future! The significance of the numerical values that Rabbi Jason pulls out of the distinct scribal typography in the Hebrew Torah scrolls will amaze you. If you’re longing for a fresh touch of heaven on your life, to see God “do it again”—study this article closely (and follow up with our reflection questions at the end!).