Torah 5779 (2018-2019)
B’reisheet 2018-19 – Brad Moore and Brian Chima
In this first lesson of a new Torah cycle, members Brad Moore and Brian Chima fill in for Grant as he continues his trip to South Africa. Brad focuses our attention on the question, "What does it mean to be...
Noach 2018-19
Join Beth Tikkun as we dig into Torah portion Noach. After a brief description of a wonderful trip to South Africa, we step into the parshah through the observation that both the names Elohim and the holy four-letter name for God...
Lech Lecha 2018-19
Why is Abraham such a big deal in Scripture? In answering this question, we focus this cycle's Lech Lecha teaching on the ancient Semitic blood covenant, a pivotal concept for understanding many important biblical events. As we see the blood...
Vayeira 2018-19
Are Believers today really being asked to "tolerate" the homosexual lifestyle or endorse it? Did God actually tell Abraham to sacrifice his son? These are just two of the many important topics we address in this year's Parshah Vayeira teaching....
Chayei Sarah 2018-19
Join Beth Tikkun as we explore Torah portion Chayei Sarah, “The Life of Sarah.” This teaching starts with an admonition to guard against taking the holy for granted. Next, we explore the Hebrew word for "everything," which, when read both...
Toldot 2018-19
We begin this cycle's parshah Toldot teaching with a brief look at how the Torah goes far beyond what a human would design for a religious book with its unexpected collections of stories and geneologies and building plans -- all...
Vayeitzei 2018-19
After a brief overview of the main topics in Vayeitzei, we explore the curious Aramaic word "memra" which occurs in the ancient Aramaic translation of this parshah and which John makes reference to in his gospel. Moving on, we reflect...
Vayishlach 2018-19
At the end of Jacob's wrestling match in portion Vayishlach, God changes his name to "Israel." Why, then, does the Torah often continue to call him "Jacob"? In this week's teaching, we talk about this question and discuss 6 important...
Vayeishev 2018-19
Join Beth Tikkun as two of our members, Nate Gurnish and Brandon Rose, fill in for Grant who is away in Israel. Nate and Brandon share their thoughts on Torah portion Vayeishev, the beginnings of one of the longest stories...
Mikeitz-Vayigash 2018-19
We begin this combined teaching on Torah portions Mikeitz and Vayigash with a few thoughts connected to experiencing Chanukah in the Land of Israel. We then briefly summarize Joseph's genius as he provides the opportunity for his brothers to repent. Finally, we...
Vayechi 2018-19
We begin our discussion of Torah portion Vayechi by looking at Pharaoh's one big mistake and drawing a life lesson from it. We then focus on the wonderfully complex pictures revealed in the lives of Ephraim and Manasseh. Lastly, we...
Va’eira 2018-19
Join Beth Tikkun for this Torah cycle's study of parshah Va'eira. Our topics include fire and water and several of God's names, including El Shaddai, Elohim, and the holiest name of God. Visuals: Va'eira 2018-19.pdf Medios Visuales: Vaerá 2018-19.pdf [display_podcast]
Bo 2018-19
If there's one thing lacking in the believing body today, it's strength to stand against that which is evil in modern culture. The focus of this year's teaching on Bo is just this idea, how we can be strong in...
Beshalach-Yitro 2018-19
These two Torah portions witness several of the most monumental events in Scripture, including the crossing of the Red Sea, Israel's battle with Amalek, and the giving of the Ten Words at Mt. Sinai. Our focus for this year is...
Terumah 2018-19
Join Beth Tikkun for a discussion of Parshah Terumah, a portion focused on the construction of the Tabernacle. As we explore this God-designed teaching picture - the lengthiest topic in the Torah - we begin with a brief look at...
Tetzaveh 2018-19 – Nate Gurnish
Filling in for Grant this week, Nate Gurnish first brings several important points in connection to the menorah, including an admonition to not go beyond what God has commanded. The majority of the teaching centers on the clothing of the...
Ki Tisa 2018-19
Torah portion Ki Tisa contains what are perhaps both the lowest point in Israel's history in the Torah (the golden calf) and the loftiest vision of God in the Torah (God's revelation of His goodness to Moses). It is not...
Vayakhel 2018-19
We begin this year's teaching on Parshah Vayakhel by finding in the parshah title man's audacious attempt to separate Jews and Gentiles by splitting the Scriptures into two separate "covenants," the "old" and the "new." We then compare the two...
Vayikra 2018-19
Parshah Vayikra, the first portion in the heart of the Torah, gives us invaluable pictures of how we draw near to God. The main aim of this teaching is to lay a foundation for looking at the sacrifices as examples...
Tzav 2018-19
We begin this year's teaching on portion Tzav by asking the question, "What does the commandment to the priests regarding daily removal of the sacrificial ashes have to do with my life as a living sacrifice?" Meditation on such questions...
Tazria 2018-19
Imagine a close-knit community in which God dwells tangibly and that, because of His presence, the residents live at such a level of holiness that sin becomes obvious in the body - there's no hiding it. Israel has experienced something...
Metzora 2018-19
The backdrop for this year's portion Metzora teaching aligns with the two traditional teaching emphases for the first weeks of the Counting of the Omer: 1) chesed/lovingkindness and 2) gevurah/restriction. Thus, we focus on gracious lovingkindness as we examine the restoration of the...
Acharei Mot 2018-19
This cycle's parshah Acharei Mot teaching begins with a summary of the ground we have covered in Leviticus - God's handbook for holiness. Turning to the Torah portion itself, we zoom in on the two goats of the Yom Kippur...
Kedoshim 2018-19
Our focus for Torah portion Kedoshim is holiness, the meaning of this portion's Hebrew name. We begin by pointing out that chapters 18 and 20 share much of the same content regarding forbidden sexual relationships with at least 2 important differences...
Emor 2018-19
In Torah portion Emor, we focus on the 12 disqualifying blemishes that preclude priests from bringing sacrifices at the Temple. We can approach these disqualifications as a kind of checklist for ourselves as we examine our own walks with Adonai...
Behar-Moedim 2018-19
We begin this week's teaching by first stepping back to Torah portion Emor to address the important topic of the Lord's appointed times, the mo'edim, with special focus on the seemingly oddly placed verse that separates the spring and fall...
Bamidbar 2018-19
This week listeners have two choices for teachings on parshah Bamidbar. The first is by Nate Gurnish, who shared his thoughts on the portion with Beth Tikkun while Grant was away at Sar Shalom Messianic Congregation in Mansfield, Ohio; access...
Beha’alotecha 2018-19
We begin Torah portion Beha'alotecha by connecting the menorah to Yeshua and the Torah. We then explore two ways to read and "fill up" the Torah - with spiritual vision and spiritual blindness. Other topics in this teaching include hearing...
Shelach-Korach 2018-19
We tackle two Torah portions this week, Shelach and Korach. In Shelach, we ask the question, "What does it mean that our enemies are our bread?" gleaning important lessons about spiritual food and enemies. In portion Korach, we touch on the dangers of...
Chukat 2018-19
Join Beth Tikkun for this cycle's parshah Chukat teaching. We begin the teaching by exploring the question of what the two Amorite kings conquered under Moses east of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, represent in our own lives. Other topics in...
Balak 2018-19
Join Beth Tikkun for this cycle's parshah Balak teaching. We begin the teaching by comparing the two talking animals in the Bible. In the main body of the teaching, we focus on three lessons from the sociopathic Gentile prophet Balaam:...
Pinchas 2018-19
The spear of zealous Phinehas ends Israel's testings and failures in the wilderness. In this year's parshah Pinchas teaching, we focus on God's breaking of His followers in the midbar, the wilderness. Along the way, we learn an important principle...
Devarim 2018-19
As we begin this year's parshah Devarim teaching, we uncover a few textual clues pointing us to the deep essence of the Torah. We then ask the question, "Why does Moses begin his summary of the nearly 40-year wilderness journey...
Ve’etchanan 2018-19
As we begin this cycle's teaching on portion Ve'etchanan, we examine the four ways we can mistreat God's Word. We then look briefly at the "fish bowl" that tiny Israel is meant to be as a trading crossroads and the...
Eikev 2018-19
We begin parshah Eikev by focusing on the portion's name, translated "if" here but normally translated "heel." We then review the blood covenant which Moses refers to so frequently in Deuteronomy, with emphasis on the relationship between God's love and...
Re’eh 2018-19
Join Beth Tikkun for a teaching drawn from Torah portion Re'eh focused on one topic: salvation of the soul. While digging into this central topic of the Word, we shift the focus slightly from the traditional Christian emphasis on sharing...
Shoftim 2018-19 – Brad Moore
We have a special treat for this year's parshah Shoftim teaching as one of our members, Brad Moore, brings us a great many helpful reminders and life applications drawn from the portion. A few topics include what it means to...
Ki Teitze 2018-19 – Nate Gurnish
This week one of our members, Nate Gurnish, brings insights from Torah portion Ki Teitze. Nate begins by pointing out that the 74 commandments found in this Torah portion represent the highest concentration of mitzvot in the Torah. Nate goes...
Ki Tavo 2018-19
This week, we add to the concept of "salvation of the soul" via the little-mentioned covenant of Moab found in this week's Torah portion, Ki Tavo. Adding to the double emphases of redemption followed by obedience to the commandments, this...
Nitzavim 2018-19
This week we continue to focus on the Covenant of Moab via Torah portion Nitzavim. This little-mentioned covenant is expressed mainly as blessings and curses, a central theme of this week's teaching. Specific topics include an exploration of "gall and...
Vayeilech-Ha’azinu 2018-19
This week, we explore within the two short Torah portions of Vayeilech and Ha’azinu, finding much treasure. Our main focus is the two great songs of Scripture, the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb. As we consider...
Vezot Habrachah 2018-19
Join Beth Tikkun for an abbreviated teaching on the final Torah portion of the year, Ve'zot Habrachah, the last two chapters of Deuteronomy. Topics include the concepts of blessing and curse, brief summaries of Moses' blessings for the tribes, and...