Torah 5781 (2021-2022)
Chukat 2021
Join us as we begin a new trip through the Torah cycle! We are jumping into the beloved Torah portions with Chukat, Numbers 19-21, and we will continue until a full cycle is completed. Video: Vimeo | YouTube To download...
Balak 2021
In portion Balak, we begin by examining a tragic Moabite cascade that starts with human reasoning and ends with a plan to curse Israel. We continue with a fascinating "read" of Balaam's donkey, and we finish with three mentions of...
Matot-Massei 2021
Tim Pell helps us to "peek under the lid" of Israel's wilderness encampments. Video: Vimeo | YouTube To download visuals, right-click the PDF file and save. Visuals: no visuals Medios Visuales:
Devarim 2021
As we launch into the fifth and final book of the Torah, we join the people on the eastern side of the Jordan to listen to Moses' final words - the book of Deuteronomy. In this teaching, we begin by...
Va’Etchanan 2021
We begin exploring portion Va'Etchanan by looking at a foundational "three-stranded cord" woven throughout the Scriptures, three strands we find in this portion. In the main body of the teaching, we ask, "Did the church really start with the Apostles?"...
Re’eh 2021
This week, Steve Meeks brings us insights from portion Re'eh, including an encouraging connection between the portion and the haftarah, a menorah comparison with the Sermon on the Mount, and a story of a particular visit to a Kenyan market,...
Shoftim 2021
We begin this week with a brief introduction to the special month of Elul. We then zero in on the "prophet like Moses" via John the Baptist's interesting response to the question, "Who are you?" Next, we delve beneath the...
Ki Teitzei 2021
We take from Ki Teitzei a focus on the battle with Amalek. Central to our discussion is the idea that in order to respect others, we have to fight Amalek - a battle in the mind. Part of this battle...
Ki Tavo 2021
In Ki Tavo, the complementary portion to last week's Ki Teitzei, we drill down on the topic of fear of God, which is the foundation of respect for others. We look at a number of verses that illuminate fear of...
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 2021
In the spirit of the 10 Days of Awe, we draw from this double Torah portion several important topics that we need to consider for repentance. We begin with the topic of relationship balance. In one of our main topics,...
Ha’azinu 2021
This week's teaching is all about the music - 3 songs in particular. We begin with a comparison of The Song of the Sea to The Song of Moses. Next we examine some curiosities from the Hebrew text of The...
Vezot HaBrachah 2021
In this final Torah portion of the cycle, we look at Jacob's 12 sons in 6 pairs- a perspective suggested by Moses' blessing of the tribes- drawing out life lessons from this diverse group that makes up the body of...
Lech Lecha-Vayeira-Chayei Sarah 2021
We start out this multi-parsha teaching by pondering two questions related to Abraham...before deciding neither is the right question to be asking! This leads us to a deeper insight into and connection with our first spiritual father. Moving on, we...
Vayeitzei 2021
What is the root message of Jacob's dream of the ladder? What are the deeper purposes behind Jacob's struggles with Esau and Laban? In answering these questions, we dig to the root of God's purposes for our entire physical context,...
Vayishlach 2021
We start out this cycle's parsha Vayishlach teaching by "putting our glasses back on," reading through a passage in Isaiah that has the ability to powerfully re-center us. From that place of reset, we examine Jacob's wrestlings with Esau and...
Vayeishev 2021
The number of parallels between the life of Joseph and the life of Yeshua the Messiah is remarkable! In this teaching, we look at a few of these important connections, beginning with Joseph's two dreams about his future rise to...
Vayigash 2021
One of the most dramatic Torah portions, parsha Vayigash witnesses Joseph reveal himself to his brothers. In this week's teaching, we puzzle through Joseph's strange treatment of his brothers leading up to this revelation, we look at secrets connecting the...
Vayechi 2021
In this year's parsha Vayechi teaching, we dig into a couple of peculiarities of the text, including a verse regarding the death of Rachel and a description of Joseph from Jacob's blessing of his twelve sons. Particularly with this second...
Shemot 2021
"Shemot" means "names," and we look at the Hebrew for several names in this week's teaching. Before we do so, we ask the question, "Why did Israel have to go down to Egypt?" Other topics include four uses of the...
Va’eira 2021
What does God mean when He says the patriarchs did not know Him by His personal name? This question is our first topic in this year's teaching on Va'eira. Other topics include the Four Cups of the Passover seder, causes...
Beshalach 2022
Why does the Torah wait until the drowning of the Egyptian army to announce that Israel was saved? Why not make this announcement at the moment of the Passover? We tackle this question in this year's Beshalach teaching. Other topics...
Mishpatim 2022
After the exhilaration of the giving of the Torah in the previous portion, we run into a long list of specific mitzvot in parsha Mishpatim, mostly regarding relating to and living with others. Why this portion at this point? In...
Terumah-Tetzaveh 2022
This week's teaching is all about the Tabernacle. Hidden in the many details and voluminous verses of these portions is the "picture section" of the Torah - God's own house which He designed for relationship with mankind. Join us as...
Ki Tisa 2022
What makes God "God"? Blending Christian and Hebraic perspectives, we begin answering this question in this year's Ki Tisa teaching. Other topics include "chochmah-binah-da'at," insights into the three gifts the wise men brought to the Messiah, attitudes of worship, and...
Vayakhel 2022
This year's Vayakhel teaching is all about two words and their associated Hebrew letters: fire and water, shin and mem. We think of fire and water as opposites and say, "fire and water don't mix;" in the natural, this is...
Tzav 2022
We begin this year's Tzav teaching with a focus on Purim and the concept of "hiddenness," examining three Hebrew words that express this idea. We then review the daily continual (Tamid) offerings at the Temple, connecting them to Yeshua. Video: ...
Tazria-Metzora 2022
Skin colors, hair colors, shaving and quarantine - what can we learn from the Torah's many laws related to "tzaraat," often translated as "leprosy?" The importance of this discussion is indicated by the placement of these portions - near the...
Acharei Mot 2022
After five chapters have elapsed from the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, curiously, the text snaps back to what God told Moses after that tragedy. Why insert these five chapters into the narrative? In discussing this question, we dip into...
Emor-Behar 2022
We begin this week with a difficult question: we are told to not associate with certain types of people caught in the web of weighty sin, but what do we do if a family member is such a person? After...
Bechukotai 2022
This week Tim Pell and Grant discuss parsha Bechukotai. Much of the discussion is centered on the word often translated as "contrary" in Lev. 26:21, the Hebrew word "keri," which is perhaps better translated "indifference." Other topics include the idea...
Bamidbar-Nasso 2022
Once again we are treated to a Torah portion discussion between Grant and Tim Pell. Topics include the pitfalls of taking a census, the balance of uniformity and individuality as seen through the twelve tribes, and the Aaronic Blessing, including...
Shelach 2022
In this parsha Shelach conversation, we focus on fear, faith, the process of growing up spiritually, and making this world into God's dwelling place. Video: Vimeo | YouTube To download visuals, right-click the PDF file and save. Visuals: Shelach 2022.pdf...
Chukat 2022
In portion Chukat, we consider the value and power of the chukkim, decrees whose reasons have not been given, and we touch on why the Israelites were given the decree of the parah adumah (the red heifer), a law of...
Balak 2022
In this week’s Torah portion, Balak, we see how God can use a spiritual man of low character to bless His people. We also review what we’ve learned from past teachings, make connections between Yeshua’s donkey and Balaam’s donkey, and...
Pinchas 2022
In this week’s teaching, Tim reviews important points from former teachings before bringing new insights connecting Joshua's commissioning, the Hebrew word "natan" ("to give"), and Yeshua. Video: Vimeo | YouTube To download visuals, right-click the PDF file and save. Discussion...
Matot-Masei 2022
In portions Matot and Masei, we come to the end of the book of Numbers and, in a sense, to the end of the Torah since Deuteronomy is a kind of repetition of the Torah. It is a momentous combined...
Devarim 2022
In this week’s Torah portion, Devarim, Moses begins his repetition of the Torah (“mishneh Torah”, or “deutero-nomy”), and he recounts some of the more poignant events in their history before speaking to Joshua, who will take the people into the...
Eikev 2022 Discussion Guide
Parshah Eikev is filled with warnings and assurances, blessings and curses, all of which is summarized in the second paragraph of the Shema found in 11:13-21. Israel's fate depends on Israel's faith. The main topics discussed here are memory, love,...
Re’eh 2022
In Chapter 11 leading up to this week's Torah portion, Moses speaks to the Israelites whereby he emphasizes the importance of the people to observe the commands to love and obey Adonai. Our Torah portion begins in verse 26, which...
Shoftim 2022 Discussion Guide
Here are some overarching thoughts to keep in mind while reading parsha Shoftim: Torah often links the qualities of truth (emet) and lovingkindness (chesed). This reminds us that truth must be tempered with love. Paul's well-known exhortation is a clear...
Ki Teitzei 2022
Containing 74 mitzvot (or 72, depending on who you ask) – the most of any portion in the Torah – Ki Teitzei is packed with commands. They include laws about family dysfunctions, moral and legal obligations towards neighbors and fellow citizens,...
Ki Tavo 2022
Ki Tavo begins with commands about bringing firstfruits to the central Sanctuary and allocating various tithes. Next is the reminder of what the covenant is: a mutual pledge between the people and God. Next are the features of ancient covenants:...
Nitzavim 2022 Discussion Guide
This life is short. It goes by much more quickly than you might think. One minute you’re in the wilderness–and it feels like it’s taking forever–the next minute you’re about to enter the Land. Are you ready? Have you used...
Vayelech 2022
In this week's teaching video, we first recall an insight from Grant in which he compares life to a high-wire act. We then share insights from Vayelech regarding leadership and "passing the torch" to the next generation. Video: Vimeo |...
Ha’azinu 2022
Consisting mostly of the Song of Moses, this week’s portion begins with the instruction to listen (or “give ear”) and contains the beginning of Moses' farewell speech to the Israelites. He has come to the end of his days, and...
Vezot Ha’Bracha 2022
After reviewing an insight from a previous teaching on this parshah, we put forward a thought about Moses and then the idea that the ending of the Torah really doesn't feel like the end of the story. Israel stands on...