Congregation Shema Yisrael

This Shabbat’s parasha is entitled Vayeshev, meaning, “…and he dwelt.” Do you remember the old expression, Meanwhile, back at the ranch? It probably was taken from the old black and white westerns, where the action shifts frequently from place to place. Vayeshev is a lot like that: the narrator (Moses) shifts our attention from place […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches on Psalm 90 and discusses the meaning of our lives and how to understand our lives from the Lord’s perspective. Watch Below:   Source

This year, Christmas and Chanukkah start the same day – December 25th. I like that. I like that because there are very important truths these two holidays have in common. This morning, I want to talk about the lessons we can learn from Christmas and Chanukkah. Let’s start with Chanukkah. Chanukkah celebrates the miraculous victories […] Source

This week’s Parasha begins with Jacob sending messengers to his brother Esau in the land of Edom, with hopes of reconciling with him before they come together and meet.  The messengers arrive to meet with Esau and are instructed to let him know that Jacob considers Esau to be his lord and that Jacob considers […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches on Psalm 34 and discusses what it means to fear the Lord who is the source of our deliverance. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

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