Weekly Torah Portion Commentary – Messianic Hebraic Study

Hebraic Torah-based reflection on "Beshalach" Parashah Beshalach 1. Parashah Details Torah: Exodus 13:17-17:16 Haftarah: Judges 4:4-5:31 Brit Chadashah: Matthew 14:22-33 2. What Happens in This Parashah (Orientation) Beshalach details the Israelites’ departure from Egypt, the initial challenges of freedom, and Yahweh’s demonstration of power and provision. It covers the miraculous crossing of the Yam Suph (Red Sea), the giving of manna in the wilderness, the battle with Amalek, and the establishment of a memorial to these events. The portion moves from liberation to testing, and from complaint to divine response. 3. Textually Interesting Features in the Torah Portion The opening of the parashah, Exodus 13:17, presents a surprising choice of words: “וַיְהִי בְּשַׁלַּח פַּרְעֹה אֶת הָעָם וַיִּנְחָם יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּדֶרֶךְ הַיָּם” (And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that the Israelites walked with uplifted spirits by the way of t...

Hebraic Torah-based reflection on "Bo" Parashah Bo Scriptures Torah: Exodus 10:1-13:16 Prophets: Jeremiah 46:13-28 Gospels: John 19:31-37 Parashah Overview This week’s parashah , Bo, meaning “Go!” in Hebrew, details the final showdown between Yahweh and Pharaoh. It’s a dramatic escalation of the plagues, culminating in the devastating tenth plague – the death of the firstborn. Following this, we witness the institution of the Pesach (Passover) and Matzah (unleavened bread) festivals, the Exodus itself, and the initial guidance of the Israelites through the wilderness by the pillar of cloud and fire. It’s a section brimming with divine commands, powerful imagery, and the unfolding of Yahweh’s plan to liberate His people. Interesting textual nuggets The structure of Bo is remarkably patterned. We see a repeated “demand-plague-hardening” formula played out three times with the final three plagues – locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn...

Hebraic Torah-based reflection on "Vaera" Parashah Vaera Scriptures Torah: Exodus 6:2-9:35 Prophets: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21 Gospels: Luke 11:14-22 Parashah Overview This week’s parashah , Vaera (“And I appeared”), recounts Yahweh’s renewed promise to Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt. It details the genealogical lineage of the sons of Levi and the sons of Israel, and then launches into the dramatic confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh, marked by the first three plagues: blood, frogs, and gnats. The portion emphasizes Yahweh’s power to demonstrate His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the escalating conflict as Pharaoh’s heart hardens against each sign. Interesting textual nuggets The opening verses of Vaera (Exodus 6:2-7) are a beautiful, almost poetic, re-establishment of the covenant. Notice how Yahweh repeatedly uses the phrase “וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה” – “And Yahweh said.” This isn’t just stylistic; it’s a deliberate framing device, emph...

Hebraic Torah-based reflection on "Shemot" Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1): Remembering Names, Rekindling Hope Have you ever felt forgotten? Like nobody remembered who you were, or how special you are? It’s a sad feeling, isn’t it? This week's Torah portion, Shemot – which means “Names” – begins with a list of names. It might seem a little boring at first, just a bunch of people who came to Egypt with Jacob, also known as Israel. But these names aren’t just labels; they represent a promise . A promise that Yahweh hadn’t forgotten His people, even when things looked incredibly dark. And it’s a promise that continues today , for us and for all of Israel. A People Multiplied, A Heart Afraid Let’s quickly remember the story. After Joseph, Jacob’s son, saved Egypt from a terrible famine, our ancestors – the children of Israel – settled there in the land of Goshen. They were welcomed and even prospered! But time passed, and a new king arose in Egypt who didn’t...