Hebrew Nation Online | Weekly Torah Portion Reading

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 fundamenta...

There are a number of important elements in parsha “Ki Tavo” (Deuteronomy 26:1 – 29:8) — but it’s probably known for being the most daunting collection of curses in the Bible. And — again — that puts it, arguably, at the heart of the destruction of Western Civilization. Is that deserved? Mark Call, of Shabbat […]

The Torah parsha known by the name “Ki Tetze” (Deuteronomy 21:10 through chapter 25) is – says Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship – arguably THE most NOT-PC portion in the entire Bible. And that fact alone makes it of vital interest – especially since the reason WHY is at the heart of the […]

The annual Torah portion reading this week is parsha “Shoftim” (Deuteronomy 16:18 through 21:9) and it begins with exactly what the Hebrew word means: appointment of “judges.” Unlike what we’ve gotten used to now that “lawlessness abounds,” however, they are to judge “righteously.” Thus, in accord with His Instruction, which is what “tora...

Parsha ‘Ekev’ (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25) not only continues Moses’ ‘Farewell Address’ but some of the themes which permeate the Torah of YHVH: the repeated admonition to “hear and obey,” and KEEP His “commandments, judgments, and statutes,” and how that is inseparable from “love Him,” with all our “heart and soul.” But the...

Parsha ‘Vaet-Chanan’ (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) continues Moses’ ‘Farewell Address’ and lesson with “…and I BESOUGHT” Yahuah — but he was not allowed to enter the land, and that is followed up with some of the most important commandments in all of Scripture. But the “Ten Debarim” are just part of that; Yahushua noted that what precedes...