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Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Shemot - Things Seem to Go From Bad to Worse !!!
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#ShabbatShalom - Welcome to Va'era (And He Appeared), this week’s Parasha (Torah Portion). Please read along with us as we make our way through the Torah portion that will be read in synagogues around the world during this week’s Shabbat (Saturday) service. May you be blessed, refreshed, and inspired as you study God’s word with us. Enjoy!
In last week’s Torah study, God appeared to Moses at the foot of Mount Sinai in a burning bush, instructing him to lead the Israelites out of Pharaoh’s bondage. Because Moses perceived himself to be slow of speech, God appointed his brother Aaron to be his spokesperson. Then the brothers went before Pharaoh, he refused to let the Israelites go. Instead of making the situation better, the Israelites’ enslavement became more oppressive. In this Parasha, God promises Moses that He will accomplish four redemptive acts: He would bring out the Israelites from their suffering in Egypt, rescue them from slavery, redeem them from their oppression with His outstretched arm, and take them as His own nation (am). God also makes a fifth expression of redemption. He promises He will bring (heveiti הֵבֵאתִי) His people back into their own land.
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Va’era: Like Egypt, Like the World
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Parasha Reading Schedule 5779
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Can A Jew Be Messianic?
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Restoring the Broken Relationship of the Garden with the Tabernacle
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Are You a Watchman on the Wall?
In many ways, Believers in the God of Israel and Messiah Yeshua are also called to be watchmen.
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Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord of Hosts – YHVH Sabaoth
The name YHVH Sabaoth is used 235 times in the Bible.
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The Prophetic Significance of the Passover Lamb
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Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday - Sukkot Feast of Tabernacles
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Simchat Torah: Celebrating Yeshua – the Word That Dwells Among Us
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Is It a Man, Angel, or God?
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Parshat Va'eira
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Weekly Torah Portion: Va'era
G-d created the world in six days, laid down the laws of nature, and set things in motion. Avraham saw the wonder of the world and knew there was a master, a Creator, a One G-d in charge of all. The G-d of Avraham who put order and beauty in the world, became the G-d of Yitzchak, the G-d of Yaakov and the G-d of Israel. Well it turns out, as Moshe, Pharaoh, and all of us will see in parashat Va'era, that the same G-d who spins the world one way can spin the world the opposite way, and the same G-d who put order in the world can take that order and turn it upside down, and it's faith, not gravity, which keeps our feet on the ground.
Va'era (Exodus 6:2 - 9:35) Parashat Va'era is read on Shabbat: Tevet 28, 5779 / January 5, 2019
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Published on Jan 1, 2019 - The Temple Institute
What is the Meaning of True Faith?
Understanding the Ten Plagues of Egypt: Standing Nature on Its Head
This week's exciting edition of Temple Talk focuses on the Torah portion of Va'era, which features the first seven of the Ten Plagues visited upon Egypt in preparation for Israel's exodus. Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Chaim Richman provide amazing food for thought as they engage in a lively discussion on the purpose and nature of the Ten Plagues and their inner meaning. Our hosts also ponder the true meaning of faith in G-d and share many other unique and timely Torah insights in this week's compelling program.
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Special ... Rabbanit Rena Richman: On Suffering
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Unfortunately, or fortunately, as Rena will explain, suffering and crisis and tragedy is universal. Adversary punctuates every day of our lives. We cry out "where is G-d?" "Are we beloved?" A study of the lives of our patriarchs and matriarchs, sheds light on the purpose of suffering and the path it can open before us, leading us closer to G-d. This teaching was recorded on November 11, 2018, in Lubbock, Texas.
Rabbi Chaim Richman: The Dedication of the Third Temple
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Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of the Temple Institute of Jerusalem, speaks about the dedication of the Third Temple, and shares insights and progress towards the rebuilding of the Holy Temple in our time, and its meaning for all mankind. This teaching was recorded on November 7, 2018, in Rogers, Arkansas. Filmed and edited by James Long, Lightcatcher Productions.
Hillel Richman: The True Location of the Temple Mount
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Archaeologist Hillel Richman, Senior Researcher and Past Supervisor, Ancient Jerusalem Sifting Project and Temple Mount Sifting Project, refutes the spurious theories claiming that the Temple Mount was in any other place other than Mount Moriah, with an emphasis on the 'City of David' theory, while providing incontrovertible historical and archaeological proof that the Holy Temple was, and will be, located on what is today referred to as the Temple Mount.
The Coming Temple - Full Documentary
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Filmed in the Old City of Jerusalem, this ground-breaking documentary investigates the research of renowned Biblical archaeologists, Bob Cornuke, David Sielaff and Earnest L. Martin who claim that Solomon and Herod's Temples never stood on the Haram al Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount. If they are right, then there is nothing to stop the Jewish people building their long awaited for Third Jewish Temple in the actual site where the Temples once stood.
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The Portion of Va’era
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Plague of Blood Red Rivers Suddenly Appears in Multiple Locations
by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz
The first plague that struck Biblical Egypt made several reappearances last week as rivers in Malawi Africa and in Indonesia turned blood-red. A similar occurrence took place in Jayapura, the capital and largest city of the Indonesian province of Papua situated on the island of New Guinea. A small river turned bright red, shocking local residents. Rabbi Pinchas Winston, who writes extensively about the end-of-days, teaches that everything that happened during the Exodus from Egypt will reoccur in some form in the generation just before the Messiah is revealed. Winston told Breaking Israel News, “Many know that a comparison is made between the redemption from Egypt and the final one for which we now wait. However, few know just how comparable they are.”
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Rabbi: Kabbalah Is Nothing To Fear
Beyond Red Strings and Amulets: Kabbalah for the Nations
by Dr. Rivkah Lambert Adler
If you’ve been taught that Kabbalah is demonic or evil, Rabbi Yitzchak Michaelson from the city of Tzfat (Safed) in Northern Israel wants you to know that you don’t need to be afraid of it. He told Breaking Israel News that “Kabbalah got a bad rap because of associations with mysticism and notions that it’s connected to red strings, holy water and amulets. Popular misconceptions [about Kabbalah] abound.”
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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 17+ years ...
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION
While Everyone’s Been Distracted, Trump Reduced Muslim Refugees 93%
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Cato reported that the number of Muslim refugees had been reduced by a staggering 93 percent.
This is not because of their religion, but the region of the world they are coming from.
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Pat Condell: The Anti-American Dream
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Why Russia Needs Israel
by Hillel Frisch, BESA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Why has Russia under Putin acknowledged Israel’s need to prevent the buildup of an Iranian military presence in Syria? Putin’s vision is to cement an alliance of minorities against the Sunni majority in the Middle East. Israel could be a valuable participant in making that vision a reality – but only if Moscow works to rid Syria of the Iranian presence, joins forces to topple its Islamist regime, and weans the Alawite regime in Damascus away from Tehran.
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The “Jordan-is-Palestine” idea, as the preferred resolution for the Israel-Palestine conflict. The conference was organized together with Mudar Zahran, Secretary-General of the Jordan Opposition Coalition, who lives in England under the protection of that country's police.
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A Biblical Theology of the Tribe of Judah
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Who are the “Lost Tribes of Israel” w map
The “Lost Tribes of Israel” are the physical descendants of Israel (Jacob) who – through expulsion, captivity or – have become disassociated from the generally recognized worldwide Jewish community.
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In parsha Va'era, it is a remarkable scene in ancient Egypt. Moses and Aaron standing before Pharaoh in his court. The brothers are there to redeem the Jewish people and they know their opponent will not bend easily.
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YHVH [יהוה], I did not make Myself known to them. Exodus 6:2–3
And I will bring [heveiti] you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.
I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD. Exodus 6:8
Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Va'era - 5 Expressions of Redemption !!!
Shabbat Shalom
Welcome to Va'era (And He Appeared),
this week’s Parasha (Torah Portion).
this week’s Parasha (Torah Portion).
Please read along with us as we make our way through the Torah portion that will be read in synagogues around the world during this week’s Shabbat (Saturday) service. Enjoy!
VA’ERA (And I Appeared)
Exodus 6:2–9:35; Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21; Revelation 15:1–16:20
“And I appeared [Va’era] to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov as El Shaddai [אל שדי] but by My name, YHVH [יהוה], I did not make Myself known to them.” (Exodus 6:2–3)
Reading the Torah with a yad (pointer)
In last week’s Torah study, God appeared to Moses at the foot of Mount Sinai in a burning bush, instructing him to lead the Israelites out of Pharaoh’s bondage. Because Moses perceived himself to be slow of speech, God appointed his brother Aaron to be his spokesperson.
When the brothers went before Pharaoh, he refused to let the Israelites go. Instead of making the situation better, the Israelites’ enslavement became more oppressive. Pharaoh required them to gather their own straw (whereas previously it had been provided for them) and still produce the same quota of bricks.
Of course, the children of Israel complained to Moses, so he brought their suffering before God, who reassured him that things would turn around. God told him that He would not only save the Israelites with a mighty deliverance, but Pharaoh would drive them from Egypt.
God Appears to Moses in the Burning Bush, by Eugene Pluchart
God Redeems Israel Past, Present and Future
In this Parasha, God promises Moses that He will accomplish four redemptive acts: He would bring out the Israelites from their suffering in Egypt, rescue them from slavery, redeem them from their oppression with His outstretched arm, and take them as His own nation (am).
These four promises are called the Four Expressions of Redemption, and they are traditionally commemorated during the Passover Seder (ritual meal) with four cups of wine.
For each of these acts of deliverance written in Exodus 6:6–7, God used the following Hebrew words:
- Hotzeiti (הוֹצֵאתִי), which means I will bring out;
- Hitzalti (הִצַּלְתִּי), which means I will rescue;
- Ga’alti (גָאַלְתִּי), which means I will redeem; and
- Lakachti (לָקַחְתִּי), which means I will take.
Jewish men wearing tallitot (prayer shawls) pray with tefillin (phylacteries)
and siddurim (Jewish prayer books).
God also makes a fifth expression of redemption. He promises He will bring (heveiti הֵבֵאתִי)His people back into their own land.
“And I will bring [heveiti] you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.” (Exodus 6:8)
Two thousand years ago, when the Jewish People lived in the Promised Land, this fifth expression may have been commemorated during the Seder with a fifth cup of wine.
Although God has been rescuing the Jewish people from their exile and bringing them back into the Land, the fifth cup is considered to represent a complete Redemption through Messiah.
This fifth cup at the Passover Seder, therefore, is called the Cup of Elijah, which is left untouched for the Prophet Elijah, who is expected to return to earth to herald the coming of the Messiah and His Messianic reign.
Five shiny, decorative silver cups filled to the brim with red wine during
a Passover Seder, a ritual meal commemorating the Exodus. The
largest cup is the Cup of Elijah, which remains untouched throughout
the meal.
When God speaks a Word, it will be done as He has said, despite how circumstances appear in the natural.
Still, we live in a fallen world. Many of us suffer from spiritual myopia (short-sightedness) caused by focusing on our own suffering and loss.
The Israelites were no different. They were so downtrodden and grieved in spirit that they simply could not believe what Moses said the Lord would do for them. They couldn’t even listen to his words of hope.
“Moses reported this [promise of the Lord] to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” (Exodus 6:9)
This tendency in human nature should remind us to be patient and merciful as we minister to people.
Even today, there are those whose bondage is so cruel and whose spirit so broken that they also cannot hear those who preach the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus). Sometimes, they must watch us walk in the power of God, seeing signs and wonders before they will listen and believe.
Sometimes, we must faithfully sow seeds, patiently waiting as God grows them.
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." (1 Corinthians 3:6)
Harvesting wheat in Israel
As God had commanded them, Moses and his brother Aaron (Aharon) returned to Pharaoh over and over again, demanding that he let God’s people go so that they may serve Him in the wilderness.
This whole account of God’s redemption of Israel from Egypt has a spiritual parallel in our salvation from the kingdom of darkness, ruled by haSatan (literally, the Adversary) and the Kingdom of Light, ruled by the LORD.
We are delivered from haSatan through faith in Yeshua, the Passover Lamb, not simply to walk away and “do our own thing.” As it was for the Israelites, the purpose of our freedom is to serve the living God.
“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13–14)
The Nile River runs through Cairo. This important river was the location
of the first of ten plagues: blood.
Pharaoh Remains Prideful Despite Marvels and Wonders
God gave Moses and Aaron a special sign to show Pharaoh. In Hebrew the sign is called a mofet, which means a marvel or wonder. Aaron was to throw his stick down before Pharaoh, and it would be transformed. In most English translations, we read that the stick became a serpent; but in the Hebrew, the word used is tannin.
However, Pharaoh, as God foreknew, still refused to let the people go; therefore, God sent His judgment on Egypt in the form of the Ten Plagues.
“Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring My hosts, My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment.” (Exodus 7:4)
These plagues are remembered each year at the Passover Seder during the second cup of wine. One drop is removed from the cup for each of the plagues, while the leader recites the list of judgments in Hebrew.
The idea behind this custom is that our cup (which represents joy) cannot be full while others are suffering.
First, the waters of the Nile River were turned to blood (dam), making it undrinkable. Then frogs (tzfardeim) swarmed the land, and then an infestation of lice (kinim) tormented man and beast.
Jewish men wearing tallitot (prayer
shawls) listen while the Torah is read
at the Western (Wailing) Wall
in Jerusalem.
Until the plague of lice (kinim), the Egyptian magicians and sorcerers were able to duplicate the plagues but, with this plague, they could not. Therefore, they recognized this to be the finger of God.
“Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh: 'This is the finger of God'; and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken.” (Exodus 8:19)
Pharaoh had hardened his heart and would not listen to the voice of reason—one of the surest signs of pride. A humble man will receive correction willingly, but a person with pride immediately becomes defensive and will not listen to others. This can bring about his downfall.
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
Note the contrast between Pharaoh and Moses, who even today is considered to be the most humble man to walk the earth. When Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, corrected him on his approach to settling disputes between the Israelites in the wilderness, Moses listened and took heed.
“So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” (Exodus 18:24)
Israeli cattle farm
Although Pharaoh promised to let the Jewish People go after the plague of lice, he hardened his heart and reneged on his promise. As a result, God sent swarms of flies (arov) that covered the land, then a disease (dever) that killed all the cattle.
God made a distinction between Israel and Egypt. While all the cattle of Egypt died, not even one of Israel's cattle fell to the disease.
(Exodus 9:4)
(Exodus 9:4)
This underlines the importance and reliability of being in a covenantal relationship with the Almighty God. None of Egypt’s best sorcerers and masters of the occult could save them from the hand of God.
In the sixth plague, when God turned dust into painful boils (shechin) upon man and beast, even the magicians suffered, and they could not stand before Moses because of them. (Exodus 9:9–11)
This week’s Parasha ends with the seventh plague of hail (barad).
God sent thunder, fire and a grievous hail that destroyed anything and everything in the field—man and beast and all vegetation. Only in Goshen where the Israelites lived was there no hail. (Exodus 9:26)
While Scripture promises that the natural cycle of winter and summer will
not end (Genesis 8:22), it does say that God will intervene in Earth's
weather, turning the wilderness green in Israel and blessing Israel with
the early and latter rains (Joel 2:21). It also states that there will be
extreme weather events in the last days (Revelation 16:8–9). In the above
photo, a woman holds a handful of hail that fell in the summer of 2014 in
Sofia, Bulgaria.
Like Egypt, Like the World
We know from the book of Revelation that many of these plagues will again strike the inhabitants of the earth in the end times. These events that happened in Egypt foreshadow what is to come—possibly on a global scale—in the final days.
In his vision, the Apostle John describes the seven last plagues on the earth:
“I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” (Revelation 15:1)
As God pours out the full bowl of His wrath upon the earth, loathsome sores appear on all those who have taken the mark of the beast and worship his image (Revelation 16:2). Then, just like in Egypt, the waters turn to blood (Revelation 16:3–6). Other plagues also bombard the earth, such as darkness, scorching fire, and destructive hail.
“From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.” (Revelation 16:21)
May we be ever mindful that we are living in the end times; and while we remain safe in the security of our holy covenant with Elohim, let us patiently share the Good News and diligently pray for mercy upon those who stubbornly continue to rebel against God.
In these troubled, difficult last days, please pray for the salvation of the Jewish People and help us bring the Good News of Yeshua to the Holy Land.
"You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)
"Hear the word of the LORD, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: 'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His flock like a shepherd.'" (Jeremiah 31:10)
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