Congregation Shema Yisrael

This is a time of year when many people reflect on all the ways they are thankful. Our self-reflection is needed more than ever because of the age we live in. We live in a time of unprecedented selfishness. In fact selfishness has become a legitimized job for people who are famous for exploiting and […] Source

The Torah reading for this week is entitled Vayetze, which means “And He Went Out.” It is taken from the book of Genesis 28:10–32:2. In obedience to his father’s command, “Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran to seek a wife.” He also went out to comply with his mother’s counsel to escape […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his series on God’s attributes with a discussion on how God is beyond our comprehension, but has made Himself known. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below: Source

This week Rabbi Jerry begins a new series on the nature and attributes of the Lord. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below: Source

Peter is writing to Messianic Jews living outside of the land of Israel in Asia Minor – modern‑day Turkey. They are facing trials and opposition because of their faith in Yeshua. Gentiles around them mock their devotion to the God of Israel, while fellow Jews who have not yet embraced Yeshua as the promised Messiah, […] Source

This morning’s parasha is entitled Tol’dot, meaning ‘generations’ and covers Genesis 25:19 to 28:9. In last week’s parasha, we observed that God is showing us an ever-narrowing and increasingly selective genealogical line meant to point us to the Redeemer, Messiah Yeshua, the ‘seed of the woman’ in Genesis 3 and again the ‘seed of Abraham’ […] Source

This week David Brickner, Executive Chairman of the Board For Jews For Jesus, shares a message on courage from Judges 6. Source

This week’s parasha is entitled Chayei Sarah, meaning “The Life of Sarah” and covers Genesis 23:1-25:18. In this parasha, we see God’s plan to continue His promises through Abraham’s son Isaac, and a teaching for us on what it means to be servants of the Lord. We open with the death of Abraham’s wife, Sarah, […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry begins a two-part series on Bible Word Studies. He introduces the concept of word studies and examines their theological importance. Using a paper by Rabbi Glenn, Rabbi Jerry explains a debate over Exodus 21:22 and its importance in the Sanctity of Human Life. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Click here […] Source

Peter has been addressing our relationships. He gives more instructions for the way Christians and Messianic Jews should be relating to each other. We are to be a united and loving community that knows the truth. Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and […] Source

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Vayera meaning, “And He Appeared.”  It covers Genesis, chapter 18:1 to chapter 22:24. Chapter 18 opens with Abraham sitting by his tent and God, manifested in the flesh as Yeshua, appears before him with two angels.  Abraham invites these three to a meal and quickly tells Sarah to prepare […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry begins a two-part series on Bible Word Studies. He introduces the concept of word studies and examines their theological importance. Using a paper by Rabbi Glenn, Rabbi Jerry explains a debate over Exodus 21:22 and its importance in the Sanctity of Human Life. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Click here […] Source

Peter has been addressing our relationships with our fellow believers, with our unbelieving neighbors and with governmental authorities. Next, Peter addresses the master-slave relationship. In Peter’s day, slavery was a brutal reality. About 15% of the people in the Roman Empire were slaves. Millions of human beings were owned as property. They were often treated […] Source

This week’s Parasha is entitled Lech L’cha and means You Go. It covers Genesis 12:1–17:27. It recounts Abraham’s first encounter with God, his journey to Canaan, the birth of his son Ishmael, the covenant between Abraham, his descendants, and God, and God’s commandment to circumcise the males of his household. Abraham is referred to here […] Source

Peter’s first letter is written to Messianic Jews living outside of the land of Israel in Asia Minor – modern‑day Turkey – who are facing trials and opposition because of their faith in Yeshua. Gentiles around them mock their devotion to the God of Israel, while fellow Jews who have not yet embraced Yeshua as […] Source

This Parasha is entitled Noach which means ‘rest’ It begins in Genesis 6:9 through 11:32. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generation, Noah walked with God, despite living during a time of great unholiness. Noah was the son of Lamech. And had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and each of them […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches part 2 of his study on the Bible itself. He discusses different types of bibles and bible translations. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s Notes. Watch Below: Source

Books are a tremendous benefit to humanity and the Bible is the greatest book of all. Unlike all other books, this book is divinely inspired. Every word is accurate, faithful and true. This Book of books teaches us everything we need to know to live a successful life in this world followed by eternal life […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry begins a two-part study on the Bible itself. He discusses different types of bibles and bible translations. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s Notes. Watch Below:   Source

Can you tell me the names of the things I’m about to show you? Let’s give it a try. Call it out when you know. (Powerpoints: Star Kist, Starburst, Starsky & Hutch, Starbucks, The Lone Star State, Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargazer lily, Peter Quill a.k.a. ‘Starlord’) And what is it they all have in […] Source

According to one Oregon State University study, over 50% of adults are clinically lonely[1], and this trend seems to be growing. Loneliness is so concerning that in 2023, the Surgeon General declared there was an Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation. Why are we the most connected generation in history, and yet so lonely and spiritually […] Source

This week’s Torah portion is entitled, V’zot HaB’racha, “And This Is the Blessing.” It contains words spoken by Moses as a blessing over the nation of Israel, a song of farewell, with the Promised Land in sight, before his death. In chapter 33 Moses describes a picture of God’s splendor and majesty, coming down from […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn concludes the study of James. Watch Below:   Source

I. The reason for Sukkot and background As Rabbi Loren explained, one of the primary purposes of Sukkot – the Holiday of Booths/Shelters is to remind us of the temporariness of our wandering in the Sinai those 40 years, as well as to remind us of God’s gracious provision, and, that it wasn’t our home […] Source

This week, our parasha is Ha’Azinu, which translates to “Give Ear” and covers Deuteronomy 32. Ha’Azinu is the penultimate parasha and contains the final teaching and warning of Moses for our people. This teaching takes the form of a song, written in double columns in the Torah. The song prophecies our people’s future disobedience and […] Source