Congregation Shema Yisrael

As Yom Kippur draws to a close, we have a final moment to consider our relationship with the Lord. Yom Kippur is a time of self-denial, repentance, and reconciliation. We are reminded of our complete dependence on Adonai for physical, emotional, and spiritual life. But we live in a world that constantly broadcasts the lie […] Source

The story is told of a man who was a lover of old books. One day he ran into an acquaintance who, in the course of their conversation, casually mentioned that he had recently thrown away a Bible that had been stored in the attic of his family’s home for generations. “I couldn’t read it,” […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry discusses the history of the King James Version (KJV) and discusses the positives and negatives with this translation. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Click here for an additional handout. Watch Below Source

Today is a very special Shabbat known as Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Return. The word Shuvah in Hebrew refers to two types of “turning”: physical turning and spiritual turning. Spiritual turning connects to the Hebrew word Teshuvah, which means repentance. Teshuvah describes our turning away from our sins and returning to the Lord. We […] Source

This week’s parasha is entitled Vayelech, 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

This week Rabbi Jerry discusses the Book of Life, what Scripture says about it and explores the Jewish traditions based on it. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

In theological studies, the word eschatology refers to the study of the End Times. For obvious reasons, it’s an important field of study. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about the Last Days, fueled by would-be teachers who haven’t even done their own homework, but are supremely confident in their assertions. It’s been amplified […] Source

Repentance is something we should be doing throughout the year, but the ten days between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur are a special time to focus on repentance. Repentance means turning ‑ turning away from sin and turning to God. It involves rejecting wrong thinking, wrong attitudes and behaviors, and embracing right thinking, right attitudes […] Source

Peter’s first letter was written to Messianic Jews living outside of the land of Israel in Asia Minor – modern‑day Turkey – who were facing hostility, trials, and opposition because of their faith. Gentiles around them mocked their devotion to the God of Israel, while fellow Jews who had not yet embraced Yeshua as the […] Source

The parasha for this week is entitled Nitzavim, a word meaning “those taking a stand”. The root is different from the common Hebrew verb for ‘standing’ (omayd). The Torah reading begins with our people standing formally before Adonai, with Moses as their intermediary, in order to confirm the Covenant. D’varim, the Book of Deuteronomy is, […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn continues with James 4 and begins James 5. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s notes. Watch Below: Source

Peter’s first letter encourages believers to live faithfully as God’s chosen people in a world where trials and suffering are certain. He begins by reminding us of the hope we have through the resurrection of Yeshua and the imperishable inheritance that awaits us. We are called to holiness in our daily lives, humility in our […] Source

This week’s Parasha is entitled Kee Tavo, meaning, When You Come In. It covers Deuteronomy 26:1 – 29:9. It must have been a relief for Israel to hear that their 40-year journey through the wilderness was finally coming to an end.  They were about to cross over into the Promised Land, given to them by […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry begins James 4 and discusses the dangers of pride and quarrelling. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

Parasha Kee Taytzay means (“When you go out”). It contains more commandments than any other single Torah portion – over seventy in total. These laws touch nearly every aspect of Israel’s life: warfare, family, finances, marriage, justice, holiness, and daily compassion. As Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses reminded them that obedience was […] Source

Peter’s first letter encourages believers to live faithfully as God’s chosen people in a world where trials and suffering are certain. He begins by reminding us of the hope we have through the resurrection of Yeshua and the imperishable inheritance that awaits us. We are called to holiness in our daily lives, humility in our […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn continues with James and discusses the two different kinds of wisdom and the results of each. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

The theme of 1 Peter is how to live faithfully as God’s chosen people in a hostile world. We are called to holiness in daily life, humility in relationships, submission to authority, and perseverance in suffering. Through it all, we are to focus on Yeshua, who suffered for us and left an example for us […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn continues with James and discusses the need to control our speech. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s notes. Watch Below: Source

This last chapter is a wonderful ending to John’s divinely inspired book. It shows the risen Yeshua meeting His disciples by the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee – which is actually a freshwater lake – not a saltwater sea. It reveals Yeshua’s continued care, His power to provide, His call to serve, and His grace […] Source

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” This begins Parasha Re’eh, translated “See.” Our parasha covers Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17 and continues with Moses instructing our people in the specific commandments of Adonai. These commandments include the kosher laws, tithes, the Sabbatical year, the biblically mandated feasts, and the command to avoid […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry concludes James 2 with a teaching on Faith. He discusses the need to having a living transforming faith and the dangers of faith without action. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

Yeshua’s death and resurrection are two of the most important events in history. They make it possible for those who become loyal to Yeshua be reconciled to God and live forever. Here we have the account of Yeshua’s resurrection based on eyewitness testimony. Notice John’s emphasis on details throughout this account. This lets us know […] Source

This week’s parasha is titled, Eikev, which means “consequence,” (Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25).  The definition of “consequence” is the result, or effect, of an action or a condition.  I don’t think I have ever used a subtitle for a parasha passage before, but today, I have subtitled this passage, “Things I wish someone had taught […] Source

This week Rabbi Glenn discusses Replacement Theology, Supersessionism, and focuses on God’s unchanging nature. Click here for Rabbi Glenn’s notes. Watch Below:   Source