Category Archives: Parashat HaShavua – Torah Portion
A commentary on the weekly Torah Portion.
God is a Redeemer! – Ki Teitzei – August 29
When I first came to Israel I heard about the option for new immigrants to spend a half of a year in a kibbutz program to learn Hebrew and learn about the kibbutz life. This greatly intrigued me and as I investigated this option I learned that of the approximately 270 kibbutzim in Israel there […]
Continue readingProphet, Priest, King, & Servant – Shoftim – Aug. 22
Over the course of the past several years I’ve lived in two foreign cities, Jerusalem & Istanbul, for an extended period of time. Both Jerusalem and Istanbul are popular tourist attractions and I have had the opportunity to entertain various people from around the world, friends and friends of friends, while living in these two cities. […]
Continue readingIs Jerusalem Still the City of God? – Re’eh – August 15
In the business world, the phrase “Location is Everything!” has become a foundational principle of good business practice, especially regarding real estate. It has always been the goal of business owners to open businesses in key locations in order to maximize potential customers. In today’s virtual reality, however, Amazon and other internet-based businesses have proven […]
Continue readingShema Israel – Ekev – August 8
This week’s Torah Portion is called “עקב” pronounced “ekev” and can mean; “because of,” “as a consequence of,” or “following after.” The word “עקב” – “ekev” also means “heel” and is the same root of the name “Jacob” or in Hebrew “יעקב” – “Yakov.” Jacob got his name because he came out of the womb […]
Continue readingGod Comforts His People – Va’EtChanan – August 1
Deut. 3:23-7:11 & Isaiah 40:1-26 The challenges and difficulties that we face daily in life are often balanced out by the comforts that we seek. Some seek comfort in this life through food, others seek comfort in the pleasures of this world, while others seek comfort in relationships, riches, or status. Comfort is something that […]
Continue readingFollowing Hard After God – Devarim – July 25
Deut. 1:1 – Deut. 3:22 In this week’s Torah Portion the forty years of wandering in the wilderness are finally coming to an end. It is the eleventh month of the fortieth year and Moses begins to share his final words with the children of Israel. The name of this week’s Torah Portion is “דברים,” […]
Continue readingGod is in Control – Matot/Masei – July 18
Government and politics are part of the world we live in, whether we like it or not. We may not always approve of the decisions and actions of certain governments but in general we are to submit to them and show them proper respect. Government is part of the authority structure that God has established […]
Continue readingLiving for an Audience of One – Pinchas – July 11
This past week I received news of a friend and brother in Yeshua who had a heart attack and went home to be with the Lord on July 2, 2015. His name is Kaan Koryurek and he was barely 48 years old. Kaan was a Turk and he lived in Istanbul,Turkey with his wife Aleksandra. […]
Continue readingWhen God Says No! – Balak – July 4
The book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom and warnings. I generally read a proverb every morning and usually find a verse or two to meditate on throughout the day. I recently read Proverbs chapter 30 and was challenged by verses five and six: “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those […]
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