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Torah readings

Parashat Vayakel/Pekudei (ויקהל/פקודי): Exodus 35:1–40:38

Are we paying attention how we’re building a home for Yeshua and the Spirit in our lives? The care and attention to detail that went into the Tabernacle that the LORD instructed Israel to build and what that teaches about the Holy One and Heaven’s plan to transform us is central to the lessons in the dual Torah reading וַיַּקְהֵל/פְקוּדֵי Vayakel/Pekudei, covering Exodus 35:1–40:38.

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Torah readings

Parashot הַאֲזִינוּ Ha’azinu & וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה Vezot Haberachah: Deuteronomy 32–34

A common misconception about God’s Law is that it’s all about perfection, that it’s unrealistic in a fallen world. Rather, the capstone passages of the Torah — this week’s readings הַאֲזִינוּ Ha’azinu (“listen,” Deuteronomy 32) and וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה Vezot Haberachah (“and this is the blessing,” Deuteronomy 33–34) — recounts Israel’s screwups past, present and future as well as the LORD’s mercy and plan for redemption.

It should be no surprise, then, that the final acts of God’s redemption give the “song of Moses” (Deuteronomy 32) double-billing with the “song of the Lamb” (Revelation 15:3) by Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ).

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Torah readings

Parashat Vayelech (וילך): Deuteronomy 31:1–30

“Be strong and courageous.” Imagine getting that advice as you’re being sent out to accomplish something you feel totally unprepared for. Those were some of the last words Moshe (Moses) left as Israel was about to enter the Promised Land. What counts is how much trust you have in the one in charge. That baton was passing, but the people had to remember the One ultimately leading and fighting for them.

This week’s Torah section, וַיֵּלֶךְ Vayelech (“he went,” Deut. 31:1-30), introduces what’s really the second verse of the “song of Moses,” mentioned in Rev. 15:3. The first verse was in Exodus 15.

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Torah readings

Parashat Nitzavim (נצבים): Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20

In the previous Torah reading, כי תבוא Ki Tavo, we learned the importance of having character that survives stressors big and small. This week’s portion, נִצָּבִים Nitzavim (“standing,” Deut. 29:9–30:20), underscores the building blocks of that character: loving the LORD with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. We learn that the “New Covenant,” or “New Testament” really isn’t so new, but choosing a lifestyle that leads to life and not death does require us to leave our old “dead works” behind.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Preparing our hearts for the Third Exodus

The Prophets speak of a “greater exodus” from the nations to the land of Israel. If this current plague (COVID-19) leads to a Third Exodus, that is up to HaShem. Matthew 24 tells us that pestilences are part of the “birth-pangs” of the last days. The reason we look forward to this Third Exodus is […]

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On Hallel.info

Covid-19 and Hallel Fellowship

Because of state and local public-health directives to not hold large meetings, Hallel Fellowship is moving our prayer and study meeting to videoconferencing only for a while.

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Schedule

Creation speakers coming to Sonoma County this fall

For more than 200 years there’s been a concerted effort to progressively put the God of the Bible into the back seat and then standing on the shoulder of the road to knowledge about how things came to be and how we should live. Why should we care? Because two-thirds of children raised in Christian […]