Congregation Shema Yisrael

Rabbi Loren continues his series through Jude. He discusses how Judah initially intended to write about the magnificent salvation shared by all believers. Instead, the infiltration of false teachers made him write about the importance of defending unchanging, core biblical truths. Because this faith was delivered "once for all time" without room for cultural revision or new doctrines , God's peopl...

Parasha Emor outlines God's strict holiness requirements for the priests, the unblemished offerings, the appointed feasts, and the perpetual care of the tabernacle's lampstand and showbread. Ultimately, these meticulous standards and ancient rituals foreshadow Yeshua, who serves as our perfect High Priest, the ultimate sacrifice that completely removes our sin.

This week Rabbi Jerry discusses God's righteousness and justice. He shares how the foundation of God’s throne is built on His perfect righteousness and justice, which flow directly from His holiness. God requires all of humanity to follow His standard. Since we cannot achieve this through our own power, we must rely on Messiah Yeshua to satisfy God's justice. Click here for Rabbi Jerry's notes.

In this introductory message on the letter of Jude, Rabbi Loren emphasizes that our truest identity is found not in earthly status, but in being devoted servants of Messiah Yeshua. Jude also reassures Believers that despite the spiritual and internal dangers of a fallen world, they are deeply loved, called, and safely kept by God's multiplying mercy, peace, and love.

Holiness. This single word bridges our two parashas for this week. Acharei Mot ('After the Death') and Kedoshim ('Holy Ones'), which cover Leviticus 16–20. These parashas contain many commandments from the Yom Kippur service to the command to love our neighbor. This morning, we will examine Adonai’s holiness and what it means that He calls us to be holy as well.

This week Rabbi Jerry discusses the practical application of God’s holiness. He emphasizes that while we are justified by grace, we are also called to a lifelong, active journey of progressive sanctification. By intentionally turning away from sin and pursuing moral purity in our daily actions, we demonstrate the genuine evidence of our salvation and experience a richer, more joyful relationship w...

This morning Rabbi Loren gives a different type of message. Rabbi Yeshua taught in unexpected ways that surprised His audience - using parables and vivid images, and following His example, this teaching comes in the form of a story, inspired by C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters , which uses fiction to expose spiritual realities. This title of this story is Instructions From A Principality .

Roman Clark shares his thoughts on both of these parashas. He discusses how God's righteousness and mercy is seen in His commands concerning lepers and those who are ritually impure.

Rabbi Jerry teaches on God's Holiness. He discusses two different aspects of God's Holiness, His majestic holiness and pure holiness. Click here for Rabbi Jerry's notes.

Rabbi Glenn warns followers of Messiah against the dangerous tendency to slip into complacency and "spiritual auto-pilot" following major victories. To avoid the disastrous consequences of a lowered guard, Scripture urges us to intentionally remain vigilant by redoubling our spiritual disciplines and setting new, faith-driven goals.

Rabbi Jerry contrasts the world’s shallow pursuit of material wealth, with the true, abundant life offered by Messiah Yeshua, the Good Shepherd. He discusses how lasting peace, joy, and spiritual fulfillment are found only through faith in Messiah Yeshua's sacrifice and resurrection.

Shemini , contrasts the joyous revelation of God's glory during the priests' ordination with the severe consequences of disregarding His divine instructions. Rabbi Glenn highlights the tragic fate of Nadav and Avihu, who offered unauthorized "strange fire" and were struck dead, illustrating the profound peril of approaching infinite holiness with self-willed religion. Shemini urges Believers to ba...

Rabbi Glenn discusses the Land of Israel and how it was permanently given by God to the Jewish people through an everlasting covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He argues against "Replacement Theology," claiming instead that biblical prophecy foretells a physical return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland, which will then be followed by a spiritual restoration through the Messiah...

Rabbi Loren shares a message about Passover. Just as the Jewish people during the first Passover required the lamb's blood for deliverance and its meat for physical sustenance, Believers today need God's full provision of both salvation and spiritual strength. While believing in Yeshua's sacrifice secures eternal salvation, Believers must recognize that this decision is only the beginning of a cha...

Rabbi Jerry shares a message about Passover. He discusses how the historical Passover demonstrates that genuine faith requires more than intellectual belief; it demands that we obediently trust in God's promises. Today, we face a similar need, requiring us to apply the blood of the ultimate Passover Lamb, Messiah Yeshua, to the doors of our hearts. During this holiday season, Believers are encoura...

Rabbi Jerry shares how Parasha Tzav details the meticulous procedures for the five types of biblical offerings and the solemn ordination of the priesthood. Although Believers today no longer perform these animal sacrifices, we can see how we must still seek holiness and atonement exclusively on God's terms, a requirement now fulfilled through the sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua. Furthermore, the exten...

This week Rabbi Jerry addresses the crucial issue of Antisemitism. He focuses on biblical examples of antisemitism,. He then discusses how they are motivated not just by hatred of people, but the Lord Himself. Finally, he discusses how this hatred is motivated spiritually by the hatred of Satan. Rabbi Jerry's Notes.

In the second part of 2 Peter 3, the Apostle Peter emphasizes that the perceived delay in Messiah Yeshua’s return is actually a profound demonstration of God's patience, allowing more time for people to hear the gospel and be saved. He also validates the divine authority of Rabbi Paul's writings while warning believers to remain vigilant against false teachers who twist Scripture, urging them inst...

Parasha Vayikra details the specific instructions for various biblical offerings, emphasizing God's strict holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of atonement. Ultimately, these ancient sacrificial laws hold deep spiritual significance, serving to foreshadow the perfect, unblemished sacrifice and ultimate atoning work of Messiah Yeshua.

This week Rabbi Jerry explores the concept of God's triunity by examining evidence of the Trinity within the New Testament. He explains how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are distinct yet unified. He then discusses how our lives are affected by God's Triunity. Rabbi Jerry's Notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-zaurZNLYpBd7-7F1x1_dVp4Vm_CyD7o/view

Rabbi Loren begins 2 Peter 3 which warns believers about scoffers who deny the promised return of Yeshua . The fact Messiah Yeshua has not returned yet is a reflection of God's merciful patience, granting humanity time to repent before the current universe is completely destroyed in judgment. In light of this truth, Believers should strive to live holy, pure, and peaceful lives as they eagerly ant...

The double Torah portion Vayakhel and Pekudei details the joyful, obedient assembly and precise accounting of the Tabernacle's physical construction by skilled artisans. These passages teach us the importance of serving the Lord with a willing heart, acting with integrity, and carefully following His specifications in every area of our daily lives. Ultimately, this magnificent earthly structure se...

This week Rabbi Jerry explores the concept of God's Triunity in the Tanakh. He discusses the Tanakh's foundation in monotheism while examining how original Hebrew grammar reveals a unified plurality. By looking closely at specific Old Testament passages, we see clear attributes of absolute deity applied to both the prophesied Messiah and the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, understanding this perfect rela...

Drawing from the profound warnings in 2 Peter, Rabbi Loren teaches on the destructive nature of false teachers who use arrogance, greed, and twisted desires to lead believers astray.

Pastor Wade explores the double Torah portions of T'tzaveh and Kee Tisa, contrasting God's beautiful design for a holy, ordered relationship with the reality of human frailty seen in the Golden Calf rebellion. He highlights the critical role of faithful leadership by comparing Aaron's failure to stand firm with Moses' steadfast intercession for the Israelites. Despite our profound failures, God's...