Congregation Shema Yisrael

The name of this week’s parasha is Toldot, which means “generations” and covers Genesis 25:19-28:9.  Isaac prayed to Adonai for his wife Rebecca to bear children and his prayer was answered.  During Rebecca’s pregnancy, the children struggled inside her and she asked God why.  Adonai told her that two nations were inside her; one stronger […] Source

As our parasha opens, we find that Sarah is 127 years old and about to pass away.  At this time, Abraham is 137 and Isaac would be 37 years of age. Sarah was 65 when she moved with Abraham to Canaan, in this great act of faith; she lived an additional 72 years.  When Sarah […] Source

In his second letter to the believers in Corinth, Rabbi Paul wrote, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. As a deeply flawed human being, I find it reassuring that mercy and comfort are among God’s attributes. But there’s a world […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn covered Isaiah 3:13 – Isaiah 4.  For the second session on Messianic prophecy he covered Isaiah 2:1-4. Source

God has designed the world with variations. There is normal weather, and also times of drought and flood, and extreme cold and heat and wind. The pleasantness of spring and summer are followed by fall and the austerity of winter. The Earth has many level places, like the great plains of the United States, but […] Source

This week’s parasha is Vayera, which is translated “And He Appeared”.  It covers Genesis chapters 18 through 22. In this week’s Torah portion, we find Abraham sitting at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.  Suddenly, he sees three “men”.  As they began to speak to him, it became clear to […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn reviewed Isaiah 2:1-9, and went on to cover the rest of Isaiah 2, as well as Isaiah 3 through Isaiah 3:12.  In the second segment, we studied the prophecies of Genesis 49:1-10 (esp. verses 8-10), and Psalm 118:22-23. Source

Introduction In June of this year many were stunned and saddened to learn of the death of Anthony Bourdain – a world-renowned chef, author and host of the hit cable TV show, Parts Unknown. This wildly popular television ‘reality’ series chronicled Bourdain’s treks to exotic, sometimes extremely remote places few had ever seen. But the […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn covered Isaiah 2:1-9. Session 2 was a study of the prophecy of Psalm 22. Source

Genesis 6:9-11:32 To better understand ourselves and the world we live in, we want to know our history – where we came from; how we got here; who are ancestors were; what they believed in; and the important things that happened to them. This part of Genesis does that for us. In it, Moses focuses […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn covered Isaiah 1, with a focus on Ahaz’ dismal rule and the moral decline of Judah (cf. 2 Chronicles 28).  The second session on messianic prophecy covered Deuteronomy 18:15-19. Source

The final weekly parasha is entitled V’zot HaB’racha, meaning,“and this is the blessing” and completes the annual cycle of Torah readings. Shortly before his death, Moses pronounces a blessing over the 12 tribes – a reiteration of what Jacob prophesied over his 12 sons five centuries earlier. The two blessings contain differences, and some of […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn began his study of Isaiah.  Each week will be divided into two sessions.  The first part will be a study of Isaiah and the second session will be an ongoing study of various Messianic prophecies.  Below is Rabbi Glenn’s introductory notes.   Faithful Wounds An Introduction to the Book and Prophecies of […] Source

Shabbat Shalom!  This morning we have heard from Rabbi Glenn about the meaning of Sukkot as a joyful celebration in our past and its importance still today.  So now, Lord willing, I will try and pick up from where he left off and share with you some thoughts about Sukkot, for us in the present […] Source

Arguably, the best part of getting older is having grandchildren. Second to that is having a built-in excuse to let younger guys do the heavy lifting. As I recently mentioned, I finally swallowed my pride, bit the bullet, and got my first pair of bifocals. And now, apparently, I have reached the age where I […] Source

This week’s Bible study begins under our Sukkah with a teaching on Sukkot followed by a general Q&A. Source

I usually give you the title of the message before I speak. This week I’m not doing that. I want to do something different. I want to read five passages; and I want you to discern the common theme – which is related to the title. The first passage is Isaiah 56. It begins with […] Source

Israel had sung the “Song of Moses” at the Red Sea, which celebrated their victory over the Egyptians due to the power of God but this new song points out Israel’s unfaithfulness and the Lord’s chastening of His own people. This song would indict the Israeli people for turning away from Adonai due to breaking […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn taught on Genesis 22 (the Akedah) and Hebrews 11:17-19. Source

In a few minutes, we will sound the Shofar a final time and then go and break our fasts.  As we come to the end of Yom Kippur and the Days of Awe I hope this has been a meaningful time for you.  Hopefully, a time for self-reflection through prayer, reading God’s Word and even […] Source

A wise and godly man once observed: “Pride is the dandelion of the soul. Its root goes deep; only a little left behind sprouts again. Its seeds lodge in the tiniest encouraging cracks. And it flourishes in good soil. The danger of pride is that it feeds on goodness.” Perhaps no parable illustrates this as […] Source

To this day I don’t remember what even started it, but back in the 6th grade me and one of my best friends Steve Frumkin got into an argument, and it escalated, and we decided we would settle it after school with a fist fight. All that day, people chose sides. The way everyone was […] Source

This week’s parasha is entitled Vayeilech, which means, “And He Went.”  It covers Deuteronomy, Chapter 31:1 – 31:30.  As the parasha opens, we find out that this day will be Moses’ last day on earth.  As Moses mentions in verse 2:  I am a hundred and twenty years old today; I am no longer able […] Source

L’shana Tova.  During our Rosh HaShanah services we read Twelve Reasons Why We Blow The Shofar.  We blow the shofar for a variety of reasons, from remembering the binding of Isaac to the return of Messiah Yeshua.  We may blow the shofar for a variety of reasons, but the shofar essentially has a straightforward purpose. […] Source

In ancient times, the Jewish people blew the shofar for many reasons. One reason was, when an enemy was approaching, the watchman blew the shofar to warn the people so they had time to find a place of safety. There are valuable lessons to be learned from the watchman. In Ezekiel 33, the Lord gave […] Source