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The LORD sends his Angel before Eliezer to find Rebbeca for Isaac. Who is this personal delegate of God who cares so much for the offspring of Abraham?

Parshat Toldot is a tale of two very different characters. But what determines that Jacob receives the blessing and not Esau?

Who is the God of Bethel who looks after Jacob in his hour of dire need?

From a night of fear to a morning of trust. What can bring such a radical change? Let’s discover the secret of Parshat Vayishlach.

If anything demonstrates the truthfulness of scripture, it is that it documents the sins of its heroes.

Our parsha this week illustrates this well. Even the sins of Israel’s patriarchs are not whitewashed.

G-d is at work. Miqets: at the end of two full years in prison, a great turnaround takes place. Joseph at last is taken out of the dungeon-pit to become Pharaoh’s grand vizier, ruler over all of Egypt.

A true leader in Israel! Parshat Vayigash reveals his character.

The book of Genesis traces a family tree: from Adam, through Noah, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But why is this family tree so important? And where is this all heading? The last parsha of Genesis, Parshat Vayechi, shows us.

Who is the One who appears to Moses in the burning bush in Exodus 3? Is it the L-RD Himself? Who else can be saying His holy name means “I am who I am”? Or is it the Angel of the L-RD who appears to Moses as that is what the text says?

What is our hope when things are rather getting worse than better? What is the surest anchor for our souls? How does G-d reveal his name? What is G-d’s enduring promise to Israel?

What is it that makes a distinction between Israel and Egypt?

In parshat Bo Moses encounters Pharaoh for the last time. Pharaoh is warned that the L-RD will strike every firstborn in Egypt but that not even a dog shall growl against the people of Israel. “That you may know that the L-RD makes a distinction between Israel and Egypt” (Exodus 11:7).

So G-d Himself is the distinction maker. But how does He do that?

Pharaoh’s mighty army sinks like lead into the deep. But the L-RD, Israel’s warrior-shepherd leads his people on dry land through the midst of the sea. Israel sings: “He has become for me Salvation” 

Was this only a unique thing of the past? Thankfully not! Through the Messiah, The L-RD again made a way where there was no way so his people can come home in His presence.  

The LORD brings Israel to himself at Mount Sinai. It happens in Parshat Yitro. His purpose is to make Israel a kingdom of priests.
But what about the gentiles?
And what about the tension, that is so palpable when the Holy God comes down? Israel needs Moses as mediator for a reason! And what if Israel fails to become a kingdom of priests?  

God’s covenant with Israel is officially ratified and Israel is quick to say: “We will do and we will listen”. Unfortunately this initial commitment turns out to be very fickle.

What can create in us lasting commitment to G-d?

Right before the ratification of the covenant there is a commandment to listen to a very special angel. Can he help? After all, Malachi calls him later: “The Angel of the Covenant” (Malachi 3:1)

Israel had to build a tent-sanctuary. The L-RD wants to dwell among his people. But What is, most important place in this Sanctuary? Where does the L-RD reside?

The place where the L-RD resides is called the kapporet and this place and name conveys a message of the utmost importance.

How can a Holy G-d look favorably on us? Can we come directly to G-d or do we need a mediator? What does the Torah teach us?

Parshat Tetsaveh shows us Aaron as a glorious Priest. He is a picture of the ultimate mediator the Messiah.

Moses smashes the tablets of stone because the covenant is broken.

But Moses also intercedes and because of who G-d is in his mercy the covenant is renewed. Against the pitch-black backdrop of Israel’s sin there is an amazing revelation of G-d’s name. He is abounding in steadfast love and can freely choose to be merciful. 

The ultimate covenant renewal, the new covenant has the same foundation. In his ultimate faithfulness God himself gives a mediator. One who’s even better than Moses.

The L-RD’s purpose to dwell among his people was in serious jeopardy but in Parshat Vahakhel and Pequdei we are back on track. The tabernacle is set up and the glory of the L-RD fills the sanctuary. 

It’s a first step in a bigger plan. Because The L-RD wants his glory to fill even the entire earth. 

But how do we get there? Unfortunately the golden calf, the breaking of the covenant wasn’t an isolated incident? The L-RD will have withdraw his presence again. Will his purposes be frustrated by our sins?  

No, they  will stand! Find out how according to the prophets his plans will be fullfilled.

How can we approach a holy God? How could the Israelites do that when the LORD dwelt among them in the tabernacle? Parshat Vayikra tells us loud and clear: through sacrifice! 

The most important and basic is the burnt offering It’s fire has to burn always. The altar is named after it.  The animal which is completely burnt up is accepted to make atonement for the one who approaches God. It is a pleasing aroma to the L-RD. Then Vayikra describes other sacrifices on top of this.

Are these only arcane instructions from a distant past? No because they depict what Messiah did for us!

It takes seven days of Sacrifices and consecration. A deep thorough “de-sinning” is needed. Only after that Aaron and his sons can serve as go-betweens between God and the people. It is underscored again: bringing together a holy God and impure people is not an easy task. 

It shows us what a holy priest we need to represent us before God. The Messiah is such a priest without needing the “de-sinning” process.

After Atoning sacrifice Israel is blessed and the glory of the L-RD appears. Israel falls down in worship with shouts of joy.
A highlight! But more than that, also a preview of what will happen when we see the glory of G-d forever displayed in Messiah’s atoning sacrifice. He is the only safe G-d-given way to approach the Holy one of Israel.

Laws of ritual purity or impurity may sound strange to us but think about what this did to Israel: It reminded them all the time that G-d in his holiness dwelt in their midst.

And think about the leper who he had to be, the farthest removed from the sanctuary. It gives us a picture what it means to be from G-d away. And how is he restored? by an Asham a special guilt offering.

That actually sets the stage for the Messiah.

Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim contains the highlight of the book of Leviticus. The Day of atonement!  

But what is it that atones on  that day? Is it the day itself? No, our parsha makes it clear: it is what the high priest does, it is the atoning blood of the sacrifices. 

But today aren’t repentance, fasting a sufficient substitute for atonement? After all we have no high priest now, right? Or do we? 

In parshat Emor we find special rules which set apart the priest as holy, but we find also a calendar of days which are set apart.  Do these holidays only commemorate what God has done or do they also have a promise for the future?

The LORD commands Israel in parshat behar to leave the land untended every seventh year. But after seven of such special shabbat years there is an even more special year the jubilee! Every Israelite has to get its land back and is released from slavery. This is proclaimed on the day of atonement.  

But what if Israel ends up in exile under the curses threatened in parshat Bechuqatai? Is there then still hope?
Yes, Because the Messiah proclaims a super Jubilee!

The LORD commands Israel in parshat behar to leave the land untended every seventh year. But after seven of such special shabbat years there is an even more special year the jubilee! Every Israelite has to get its land back and is released from slavery. This is proclaimed on the day of atonement.  

But what if Israel ends up in exile under the curses threatened in parshat Bechuqatai? Is there then still hope?
Yes, Because the Messiah proclaims a super Jubilee!