Congregation Shema Yisrael

Inside us, there is an intense desire to be connected to other people. We need each other and cannot thrive on our own. The Lord, in His wisdom, created us for community, to be connected to others. Yet, many today struggle to find it. Even with the internet, which can unite us with people that […] Source

This week’s Parasha is titled Bo, which means “Go”.  It starts in Exodus 10 where the Lord tells Moses that He has further hardened Pharaoh’s already hard heart.  I believe this is the first time in this series of plagues that Adonai will make sure Pharaoh’s heart is hardened through plagues eight, nine, and ten. […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn teaches on Psalm 38 and discusses confession and forgiveness. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

This week’s Torah portion is called Va-era, which means, “And I appeared.”  It covers Exodus, 6:2 – 9:35. In the opening of Chapter 6, when things are very tough for the Israelis with them having to gather the straw to make the bricks for building, God shines through with His Saving power.  In verses 6 […] Source

This week Rabbis Loren, Glenn, and Jerry begin John 14 and discuss dealing with trouble and doubt. Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches on psalm 37 and discusses the importance of not letting evil make us anxious. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

When people ask if the United States is mentioned in Scripture, I like Rabbi Jerry’s answer: yes – in Romans, chapter one. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth… For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God […] Source

Exodus opens with the names of the tribes that went to Egypt. After some time, Joseph and his brothers and all that generation died. According to God’s promise, the Jewish people multiplied greatly while in Egypt; from seventy-five people to nearly two million. One of God’s promises was to make Abraham’s descendants as numerous as […] Source

This weekend, we acknowledge National Sanctity of Human Life Day. In Ronald Reagan’s original proclamation, he called upon all people to reaffirm our “…commitment to the dignity of every human being and the sanctity of each human life.” This should not be a controversial belief to affirm and share. Yet, so many create exceptions and […] Source

When the Bible addresses any subject, that is the final and authoritative word on that subject. Here are some passages from the Word of God on the issue of pro-life. Genesis 1 Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness … So God created man in His own image, in the image […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn teaches on Psalm 36 and discusses how those who reject the Lord will face suffering and punishment. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s notes. Watch Below: Source

This week Rabbis Loren, Glenn, and Jerry finish John 13 and begin John 14. They focus on Yeshua comforting and challenging His disciples. Source

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Va-y’chee meaning “And He Lived.”  Jacob lived an unsettled and storm-tossed life, but he’s aware that Adonai is always with him. His faith remained strong, and the blessing of his sons set the stage for the future of the Jewish people. Chapter forty-seven describes the final years of Jacob’s […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn teaches on Psalm 35 and how to handle those who hate us. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

I want to talk about making new year’s resolutions. About 30% of American’s make new year’s resolutions – most about eliminating bad habits and developing better habits with eating and drinking, exercising, money management and relationships. However, while some new year’s resolutions are kept, many aren’t. Why? Messiah told us: The spirit is willing but […] Source

Our last parasha ended on a cliffhanger, with a still-hidden Joseph telling his brothers Benjamin would remain in Egypt. This week our parasha concludes Joseph’s testing of his brothers. Our parasha this week is called Vayigash which translates to “And He Drew Near” and covers Genesis 44:18-47:27. This parasha shows us how love covers a multitude […] Source

No one really knows where this curse originated, but it fits the present day; it goes like this: “May you live in interesting times”. It is meant as irony, since life is thought to be better when things are normal, predictable… not ‘interesting’. Chaos and societal upheaval are ‘interesting’ but who wants to live through […] Source

Once again, we come to Channukah in dark times. Our society seems to be controlled by those who love themselves and power above anything else. God is mocked, and many have abandoned their faith, fearing rejection and retaliation. Suffering seems to be growing, leading many to despair. But in times like these, we face a […] Source

The Torah reading for this week is entitled Miketz, which means “At the End.” It covers Genesis chapters 41:1-44:17. Divine sovereignty is now at work. Now It was Pharaoh who dreamed, now the cupbearer remembers, now Joseph’s was “at the end” of his imprisonment. Joseph was “Now” brought before Pharaoh, freshly shaven, and decently clothed. […] Source

This week David Brickner, Executive Chairman of Jews For Jesus, answers the question, “Does the Jewish Bible Point to Jesus?” Source

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