Category: Torah

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Appointments With God Discussions Passover Torah

Exodus 12: Instructions about Pesakh (Passover)

**Alt-text:** A graphic titled "Passover Checklist" with a large checkmark icon. On the left, a notepad-style list includes six items: 1. Remove the leaven 2. Select unblemished lamb 3. Slaughter at 3 p.m. 4. Mark doorposts with blood 5. Eat in haste 6. Burn the remains All items have checkmarks beside them. On the right side of the graphic, text reads: "Exodus 12: Instructions about Pesakh (Passover)." The background is a soft beige color.

As the 10th plague was set to begin against the first-born children and livestock of Mitsraim (Egypt), God told Moshe (Moses) the month with Pesakh (Passover) and the Exodus would be the beginning of Yisra’el’s year (Ex. 12:2). God told Moses of the particular rituals that are to happen during this first month, called Aviv (Ex. 12:3–11). This was relayed to them at the beginning of the month, a couple of weeks before the final plague.

There are particular housekeeping rituals that had to be done in advance as well. A particular goat or lamb had to be chosen, leavened items were to be removed from the home, etc. Moses gave all these instructions to the elders of Israel to help them prepare.

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 9-10: Plagues of locusts, darkness, death of first-born against Mitsraim

**Alt-text:** A triptych-style graphic illustrating three of the final plagues of Egypt. On the left, a close-up of a green locust on a leaf. In the center, a black-and-white image of numerous hands reaching upward against a dark, stormy sky, symbolizing darkness and despair. On the right, a tightly wrapped body in white mummification cloths, symbolizing death. Overlay text reads: "Plagues of locusts, darkness, death of first-born against Mitsraim — Exodus 9-10." The hallel.info logo appears in the lower left corner.

The plague against the firstborn seems harsh because the innocent died because of the faults of the leadership of Mitsraim (Egypt). However, like with the life of Yosef (Joseph), that plague is a foreshadowing of the future death of an innocent Firstborn, Yeshua the Messiah.

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Appointments With God Discussions Passover Torah

Hard Hearts and Sovereign Plans: Why Pharaoh Didn’t Listen

Here is the corrected version of the alt-text: A photo of an Egyptian Pharaoh wearing a ceremonial headdress with his hands over his ears. The title 'Hard Hearts and Sovereign Plans: Why Pharaoh Didn't Listen' is centered at the top of the graphic, and the words 'Exodus 7–8' appear in the lower right corner.

The 10 plagues against Mitsraim (Egypt) were judgments against the false deities of the land, to show the descendants of Yisra’el (Israel) and the people of the land Who was the true God.

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Discussions Torah

Moshe of ‘uncircumcised lips’ learns The Name (Exodus 6)

Illustration of a man holding a finger to his lips, with a speech bubble reading: "Exodus 6 Moshe of 'uncircumcised lips' learns The Name.

Moshe (Moses) in Exodus 6 said his lips were “uncircumcised” and insisted that prevented him from sharing The Name of God to Yisra’el (Israel). We know about circumcision of a man’s privates and metaphorically of the “heart,” but what is this, and how is it connected to sharing knowledge of The Name?

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 3-5: Moshe brings signs of God’s Name and staff to Mitsraim; pharaoh increases oppression of Yisra’el

Richard Agee

The account of Moshe (Moses) encountering God via the burning bush has spawned a number of interpretations and explanations about who Moshe encountered, how the bush could be burning yet not consumed, etc. Yet the declaration of the Name of God there and the signs God gave Moshe to show the leaders of Yisra’el is the important element. The Name and the signs would strengthen not only Moshe but the leadership for something powerful God would do on Earth via Yisra’el in the mighty empire of Mitsraim (Egypt).

This study also explores the seeming strange vignette of God on the warpath against Moshe’s family, placated only by Tsipporah’s circumcising the son. This appears to be a foreshadowing of the 10th plague against Mitsraim.

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 1-2: Moshe arises as the fulfillment of God’s promise

Richard Agee

Try your best to ignore the cartoons and movies that purport to tell the account of Moshe (Moses). They take many liberties with the real record, imposing their own story lines on him. Important elements at the beginning of the book of שְׁמוֹת Shem’ot, also called Exodus, are God’s faithfulness to the promise made to Abraham that his descendants would face hardship but become a numerous people and blessing to the nations.

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Discussions Torah

Embalming, Mourning, and Forgiving: The Story of Yosef’s Final Act of Grace

"An ancient Egyptian scene depicting the mummification of Jacob, overseen by his son Joseph. The room is adorned with Egyptian artwork and hieroglyphs on the walls. Joseph stands nearby in Egyptian attire, watching solemnly as Egyptian priests prepare Jacob’s body, lying respectfully on a stone table. The priests hold jars of oils, spices, and linens, used for embalming. The lighting is warm, creating a reverent atmosphere that honors both Egyptian customs and the Hebrew tradition."

After the death of Yisra’el, fka Ya’akob (Jacob), 10 of his dozen sons approached Yosef (Joseph) with a message from their father: Don’t seek revenge for selling him as a slave. Yosef lived out the “second greatest commandment” in his response, showing he trusted God’s plan that had violently separated him from his family and landed him in prison for a few years.