Congregation Shema Yisrael

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

Introduction: A few funny fortune cookie messages that you’ll never see That wasn’t chicken you just ate. You need a mint… like, bad! Error 404: fortune not found Why bother reading this? You never listen, anyway. The Chinese invented gunpowder, fireworks and philosophy… what have YOU done lately? It’s your mother. Would it absolutely kill […] Source

Every Yom Kippur, Jewish people around the world fast and seek God’s forgiveness. For many, it is their lone annual religious appointment. An annual spiritual physical motivated by tradition and fear of death. Unfortunately, the Yom Kippur sacrifice can no longer be offered since the destruction of the Second Temple. So, there is no way […] Source

Considering the anniversary of October 7th, this week Rabbi Jerry teaches on Psalm 83. He discusses the necessity of praying against Israel’s enemies in the hope they will repent. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

This week we celebrate a very special sabbath known as Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Return. This special Shabbat occurs between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and focuses on returning to the Lord through repentance. Repentance is turning away from everything that prevents us from fully following the Lord and then turning towards Adonai. True […] Source

Does the name Genelle Guzman ring a bell? She was the very last survivor rescued from the collapse of the World Trade Center after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. Genelle spent 27 hours trapped under the rubble of concrete and steel beams, and initially was sure she was going to die, but knowing […] Source

This week’s Parasha is entitled Ha’azinu which means “Give Ear”.  It covers Deuteronomy chapter 32, and consists primarily of the Song of Moses, which can be seen as both a love song to Adonai, and a chastisement of the people of Israel. The songs and poems that made it into the Bible are Holy Spirit […] Source

This week Rabbi Loren and Rabbi Glenn begin John 12 and discuss Messiah Yeshua’s anointing and arrival at Jerusalem. Source

This morning, we have a double-parasha: Nitzavim and Vayelech. Nitzavim means “Those Standing” and Vayelech means “And He Went”. These consecutive Torah portions mark a pivotal moment in Israel’s journey. Moses delivers a profound farewell address, and recounts the words of the covenant between Adonai and Israel. Chapter twenty-nine opens with Moses reminding Israel of […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn teaches on Psalm 26 and discusses how vindication comes through the Lord and the importance of living rightly. Watch Below:   Source

We’re halfway through the book of John, one of the greatest books ever written. I thought it would be beneficial if we reviewed the first 11 chapters. People can be very interesting. There are magazines and TV shows dedicated to the lives of the rich and powerful and successful, the famous and the infamous. It’s […] Source

Last week’s parasha was entitled Kee Taytasay (“When you go out”). This week it’s Kee Tavo (“When you come in”), covering Deuteronomy 26:1 through 29:8. Coming and going – sounds like the history of the Jewish people, doesn’t it? And all that sojourning began with our father Abraham. Kee Tavo opens on a hopeful, joyful […] Source

This week Rabbis Loren, Glenn, and Jerry, finish John 11 and discuss the Sanhedrin’s response to Yeshua. Source

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Kee Taytzay, which means, “when you go out,” and covers Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19. This passage deals with issues related to morality, marriage, divorce, following through on vows, and other issues.  We will not be able to cover every topic presented in this passage, so I would suggest that […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches on Psalm 25. He teaches on the importance of walking with the Lord and relying on the mercy of God. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s Notes. Watch Below: Source

This week Rabbis Loren, Glenn, and Jerry, continue in John 11 and discuss the resurrection of Lazarus. Source

This week’s parasha is titled Shoftim which means “Judges.” It takes us from Deuteronomy 16:18 through 21:9. Moses was instructed to select men to be judges and officers for every town that Adonai had given to Israel. These men were to be fair in judging, always, so that controversies might be settled, injustices made right, […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn teaches on Psalm 24. He discusses how the Lord is the source of glory and blessing. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

It has been said by someone, somewhere, that we live in a world that is satanically controlled, in rebellion against God, and under a curse. Or to put it another way, as the great Rocky Balboa said, “Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very […] Source

Today’s parasha is titled “Re eh”, which means “to see”. This Torah portion, from Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17, describes a blessing and a curse from God.  In chapter 11:26 – 28, God says, “see, I am setting before you a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord and […] Source