Congregation Shema Yisrael

This week Rabbis Loren, Glenn, and Jerry continue in John 13 and discuss the teachings of Yeshua during the Last Supper. Source

This week’s Torah portion is Vayetze, which means “and he went out.”  It covers Genesis, Chapter 28:10 – 32:2. In Chapter 28, we find Jacob departing from his home in Beersheba and heading to Haran, his ancestral homeland.  He ends up spending the night in an open area where he sees a vision of a great ladder descending […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn teaches on Psalm 33 and discusses the principles for Godly nation. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s notes. Watch Below Source

This week Rabbis Loren, Glenn, and Jerry begin John 13 and discuss the betrayal of Yeshua. Source

This week’s Parasha is entitled Toledot, meaning Generations. It is taken from the book of Genesis 25:19-28:9. Adonai promised to make Isaac, the only son of Abraham by his wife Sarah, a great nation. Isaac’s descendants through Jacob would become the Chosen People. Isaac was 40 years old when he took Rebecca, the daughter of […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches on Psalm 31. He discusses the choice we have between the joy of forgiveness and the pain of suffering from unconfessed sins. Watch Below:   Source

Our Parasha begins with the announcement that Sara has died at the age of 127. Abraham mourns, then asks his neighbors, the sons of Heth, to grant him burial space. They greatly admired and respected Abraham, and offered to give him the choicest land free of charge. But Abraham insisted on purchasing it. In chapter […] Source

Why thanksgiving? Lots of good reasons. Giving thanks to God brings Him glory, and it’s the purpose of the creature to enhance the glory of the Creator. Psalm 69: I will glorify Him with thanksgiving. Why thanksgiving? Because gratitude is the proper response of the creature who receives so many good things from the Creator […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches on Psalm 31. He discusses the importance in trusting in the Lord during difficult times. Watch Below:   Source

This week Rabbi Loren and Jerry discuss the end of Yeshua’s public ministry in John 12. Source

This week our Torah portion is Vayera, which means “And He Appeared.” Vayera covers Genesis 18:1-22:24. Genesis 18 begins with the Lord and two angels appearing to Abraham disguised as men. Abraham greets them and immediately offers his hospitality. During their meal of bread, meat, and milk, the Lord promises Abraham this time next year […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches on Psalm 30. He discusses what it means to experience the discipline and joy of the Lord. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

Rabbi Loren and Glenn continue their discussion of John 12. Source

This week Rabbi Glenn teaches on the importance of giving glory to the Lord found in Psalm 29. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s notes. Watch Below: Source

Two peoples claim the same land in the Middle East. For more than 75 years, the competing claims of the Jewish people and the Arabs have resulted in a series of wars. Disagreements over the land will lead to more wars. Whose land is it? Does it belong to Israel or to the Arabs? Do […] Source

This week’s Parasha starts out with God saying these words “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation.  Noah walked with God and had three sons She, Ham, and Japheth.” This was the time before Moses had given the law, so Noah does not have the standard of what would be righteous on his […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn teaches on Psalm 28 and the Lord’s response to the righteous and the wicked. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s Notes Watch Below: Source

By way of reminder, let me read for us these verses that describe Sukkot Leviticus 23:39-43 “‘Beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the Lord for seven days; the first day is a day of sabbath rest, and the eighth […] Source

Sukkas are temporary structures. They are places for people to live in for seven days. They are decorated with branches and the fruits of the harvest. There are sukkas that are built well and beautifully decorated. And there are sukkas that are plain and poorly built. I remember in Shema’s earlier days when we used […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches on Psalm 27 and discusses the need for courage in the face of danger and persecution. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below: Source

Introduction: A few funny fortune cookie messages that you’ll never see That wasn’t chicken you just ate. You need a mint… like, bad! Error 404: fortune not found Why bother reading this? You never listen, anyway. The Chinese invented gunpowder, fireworks and philosophy… what have YOU done lately? It’s your mother. Would it absolutely kill […] Source

Every Yom Kippur, Jewish people around the world fast and seek God’s forgiveness. For many, it is their lone annual religious appointment. An annual spiritual physical motivated by tradition and fear of death. Unfortunately, the Yom Kippur sacrifice can no longer be offered since the destruction of the Second Temple. So, there is no way […] Source

Considering the anniversary of October 7th, this week Rabbi Jerry teaches on Psalm 83. He discusses the necessity of praying against Israel’s enemies in the hope they will repent. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

This week we celebrate a very special sabbath known as Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Return. This special Shabbat occurs between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and focuses on returning to the Lord through repentance. Repentance is turning away from everything that prevents us from fully following the Lord and then turning towards Adonai. True […] Source

Does the name Genelle Guzman ring a bell? She was the very last survivor rescued from the collapse of the World Trade Center after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. Genelle spent 27 hours trapped under the rubble of concrete and steel beams, and initially was sure she was going to die, but knowing […] Source