Torah Articles
Recent Torah Articles
Bubbe's Picks
Make the World Better While…
Cleaning is something we all do (hopefully), and while I admit I don’t often look…
Elisha's Oil
May 16, 2024
A certain woman came to Elisha, the Hebrew prophet, and told him that her husband, who loved the Lord, had…
Elisha
Mar 09, 2024
God commanded Elijah, the prophet of the Lord, to go and anoint Elisha to be a prophet to replace him. Elijah…
Elijah
Feb 19, 2024
Around the year 900 BCE, when Israel was not following the Lord, God sent the Jewish prophet Elijah to king…
Reuben
Feb 02, 2024
Jacob, whom GOD later renamed Israel, had 12 children. These 12 children and their descendants are known as…
Levi
Jan 08, 2024
Jacob, whom God later renamed Israel, had 12 children. These 12 children and their descendants became known…
Tabernacle: White Linen Court
Nov 13, 2023
The walls of the wilderness Sanctuary were made from fine linen that the Israelites brought with them out of…
Cain and Abel
Nov 02, 2023
God, in His great love, developed a plan whereby we could receive forgiveness for our mistakes. He made…
Joseph
Sep 03, 2023
Jacob, whom GOD later renamed Israel had 12 children. These 12 children and their descendants are known as…
Adam
Aug 19, 2023
On the 6th day of earth's creation God said, "Let us make man in our image after our likeness." So God formed…
Satisfying the Inner Thirst
Aug 06, 2023
A person in good health can live about 40 days without food, but only three days without water. However, in…
Daniel in Jewish Tradition
Jul 27, 2023
Considering the importance of the prophet-hakham Daniel, Shabbat Shalom has chosen to hear from several…
Who is a Hebrew
Jul 06, 2023
Do you know who the first Hebrew was? And why he was called that? The first place in the Bible where the term…
Does God Say in Genesis 9:3 that Mankind is Free to Eat…
Jun 22, 2023
Let’s take a look at the verse in question: “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as…
What Does it Cost to be Faithful?
Jun 05, 2023
The ancient story of Job in the Bible has encouraged many men and women throughout the ages. The account…
The Sanctuary - the Brazen Altar
May 05, 2023
What is the first piece of furniture that was seen upon entering the tabernacle in the wilderness?
Other Sections
Dorchester
On February 3, 1943 a torpedo struck the S.S. Dorchester. Chaos reigned on board as the…
Newest Plane from Israel
Israel Aircraft Industries has been unveiling their latest model, which will be one of…
Jared Kushner's Speech in Jerusalem
Jared Kusher, Donald Trump's son-in-law and aide, defends the controversial decision to…
WWII Holocaust Heroes - Zookeeper's Jan and Antonina Zabinski
As many as 300 passed through the zoo, and many survived the war because of Jan and his…
Celebrating Rosh Hashana with Food
Food is an important part of the celebration of Jewish festivals. Not only does the…
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Enjoy the Archives
Whole Megillah
When God Doesn't Seem to Answer Prayer
I have noticed many people seem convinced that God does not answer prayer because they did not get the exact kind of help they wanted when…
Meekness is not Weakness
Many professed believers seem to believe holiness consists of ignoring human rights or even think human rights don’t exist at all and…
Moses, the Problem Solver
As I was growing up, and old enough to read the Torah, I always felt sorry for Moses. The people ofIsraelhad a lot of problems (still do),…
Altar of Incense
One of the three pieces of furniture in the Holy Place of God's sanctuary is the Altar of Incense.
The Brazen Altar
The first thing a person would see when they entered God's sanctuary would be the brazen altar, also known as the altar of burnt offerings.
Who is a Jew?
Have you ever wondered where the term Jew comes from?
Nehemiah’s Decision
My sister-in-law used to say, “I pray, but I just don’t hear that booming voice telling me what to do.”
Ark of the Covenant
In the sanctuary that was given to Moses, God's presence was made manifest to the people.
Building God's Temple
When Israel returned from exile they rebuilt the temple, but there were mixed feeling about it after it was completed.
El Shaddai
The name El Shaddai, God Almighty, is one of the most awesome titles for the everlasting God of Heaven. El Shaddai is not a name that…
Samson's Mistakes
Have you ever heard someone say, ‘Everything works together for good’?
Jonah
God sent Jonah to the city of Nineveh with the commission to cry out against it, because of its wickedness. Ninevah was about 500 miles…
Jehovah Jireh
God is a great God. He has promised to provide all of our needs, including the ability to be forgiven. That is why Abraham called him…
Jehoshaphat
King Jehoshaphat was the 5th King after King David.
How Well are You When All is Well?
“So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give…
God Called Moses
Have you ever felt that you could not accomplish something important?
Job
Have you ever wondered why God allows suffering, pain, war, and sickness?
David
GOD told Samuel the prophet to anoint David to be the next king of Israel.
Sabbath Rest and Eternal Rest
The introduction to the Ten Commandments starts out like this, “Then God said all these words: ‘I am Adonai your God, who brought you out…
Yielding Mind and Body
How could it be possible that three young captives from Israel were allowed to live, and were even promoted, after defying a death decree…
More Lessons in Manna
Bread has a lot of spiritual lessons for us.
Four in the Torah
There are a lot of sets of four in the Torah and below are just a few examples:
Jehoshaphat
King Jehoshaphat was the 5th King after King David.
Which Covenant Are You Living Under?
It seems that many do not actually know what the Old Covenant is.
Be Eve
I would say most people who have read the Torah probably know that Eve was the first person to sin. “And it was not Adam who was deceived…
Bread and Obedience
“‘This is what the Lord has told you to do: “Every man gather as much of it as he can eat. Take a jar for every person that each of you has…
Two Birds and Blood
The Torah tells us about a very interesting ceremony that includes dipping a bird that is alive in the blood of another bird with an…
There is Less Stress When You Get the Beginning Right
The Torah reads, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
Belshazzar's Party Crasher
“King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them.
The Bible Chapter Written by a Pagan King
History records the glories and triumphs of the golden kingdom of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar.
Heaven
Do you ever think about heaven? It is a beautiful place.
Shabbat and Torah
The Torah tells us to keep the Shabbat.
There is No Atonement for This Sin
“Then it was revealed in my hearing by the Lord of hosts, ‘surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, even to your…
Elohim
The very first words recorded in the Bible are "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
The Forbidden Chapter: Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53 is banned literature in many synagogues and is often omitted from rabbinical training and reading cycles of the haftorah, but…
We're on the Border
Just before crossing the Jordan River to claim the promised land of Canaan the Israelites camped in the Vale of Shittim.
Who Causes Evil?
One of the greatest objections to the belief in God is the existence of evil.
Ruth
The Hebrew Scriptures record the history of a gentile woman named Ruth. Because of a famine in Israel, Naomi, her husband, and her two sons…
Not What You See
“Now there arose a new king over Egypt. He knew nothing about Yosef (Joseph) but said to his people, ‘Look, the descendants of Isra’el have…
In the Beginning
Perhaps one of the best known statements in the Torah is the verse “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
Jehoshaphat
King Jehoshaphat was the 5th King after King David. Jehoshaphat sought the LORD and walked in the ways of God's commandments. Jehoshaphat…
A Fool's Wrath
“In the course of time, Nahash king of the Ammonites died, and his son succeeded him as king. David thought, ‘I will show kindness to Hanun…
Faith for Manna
When Israel was in the wilderness they were concerned about God providing food, “because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in…
Be Faithful to Truth
Is It reasonable to believe that if we hold onto one cherished sin it can poison our entire life? Two Bible characters reveal this truth.…
Elishah & Gehazi
Naaman, a commander in the Syrian army, was instructed by a young Jewish girl to go to Israel to see the Hebrew prophet Elisha.
Sinning Animals
Many people may be under the impression that only humans were held accountable for their actions, but that is not true.
Technically....I'm Still Wrong
“And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar.
God's Alchemy
Definition of alchemy: A seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination.
Creation
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters when God said let there…
Caribbean Connections
The beautiful Bahamas. Stunningly clear turquoise waters; white sandy beaches; sunny days with warm winds blowing gently and balmy evenings…
Samson
Have you ever heard someone say, ‘Everything works together for good’? That’s a quote from Rav Shaul. But is that saying true even if…
Ruth
The Hebrew Scriptures record the history of a gentile woman named Ruth.
Nathan Saved Bathsheba's Life
Adonijah is a person that not many seem familiar with. He was actually the fourth son of David the king of Israel and the half brother of…
Manna
Inside the most Holy Place of God’s sanctuary God had Moses place an Ark covered with gold. Of the three items God commanded to be placed…
Just Because God Didn't Say It
“The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son…
God's Name
What is God's name? Some say it is so sacred that it cannot be said. Some people say we must call him Jehovah; some say we must call Him…
Who is Really Israel?
Do you have to be born from the literal ancestry of Abraham to be considered a part of Israel? Let us think about that question a moment.
Restitution
“If a person causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over or lets his animal loose to graze in someone else’s field, he is to make…
Hear O Israel the Lord is One
“”Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!’”
The Number Seven
The number 7 is the most used number throughout the Holy Scriptures.
Why the Need for the Tree
“Adonai, God, took the person and put him in the garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.
Be Careful What You Mix Bread With
Bread is a very interesting thing in the Torah. Bread represents God’s provision.
Traded for Taste
“Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me with that same red…
Samuel
Hannah desired a child for a long time but was not able to conceive. One year when she and her husband went up to the Temple she wept…
Mother in Israel
Are you a mother, or a father, in Israel? Have you ever heard someone called "a mother in Israel"?
Torah-Judah and Tamar
“After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who…
Aaron's Rod
Inside the most Holy Place of God's sanctuary, God had Moses place an Ark covered with gold. God commanded that three items be placed…
Torah-Poor God (Genesis 4)
“So the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do…
Slavery in the Torah
“‘And if one of your brethren who dwells by you becomes poor, and sells himself to you, you shall not compel him to serve as a slave.
Why Are Women on Their Monthly Cycle Unclean
The Torah states “Whenever a woman has her menstrual period, she will be ceremonially unclean for seven days. Anyone who touches her during…
Jericho
The city of Jericho is one of the oldest cities that we currently have records of. Jericho was a big strong city for its time and had a…
Technically - I'm Still Wrong
“And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar. Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife,…
This Fool Didn't Know When to Stop
“Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, ‘Do you come peaceably?’ And he said, ‘Peaceably.’…
God of Peace
Shalom literally means peace. We use this when saying hello or goodbye. It is a nice way of wishing peace onto the other person. If someone…
Torah-And They Had No Idea What it Was
Israel had a common problem. They needed food to eat and they were getting pretty upset about it. “In the desert the whole community…
Joash
Joash, who was only 7 when he became king, was the youngest king that ever reined in Jerusalem. This story is very interesting. Joash's…
Torah: Where is the Good?
In the Torah we read, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was…
Torah-Are You Building a Calf or a Tabernacle?
Giving is very important in Jewish culture and the Torah gives is some examples to follow. “When the people saw that Moses was so long in…
Torah-Eve
I would say most people who have read the Torah probably know that Eve was the first person to sin. “And it was not Adam who was deceived…
You Are Redeemable
“Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, ‘Come aside,…
Jews, Gentiles, and the Noahide Laws
Within Judaism there is a belief that some laws only apply to Jews while Gentiles have their own set of laws to obey that requires less…
Torah-Don't Make Stuff Up
The Torah says, “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man,…
Don't be Lame
“‘“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My…
Foreigner
Have you ever been a 'foreigner?' In a foreign country, you're constantly aware that you are different. Your customs and your language mean…
Hezekiah
Hezekiah reigned as king of Judah for 29 years and he followed God. In his first month as king he cleared out all the idols his wicked…
About My Father's Business
We live in a world full of distractions. Dictionary.com defines distraction as that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents…
Melchizadek
At a time when Abraham's nephew lot was living in the city of Sodom a war took place among the nations and lot was taken captive. When…
The Canaanites and the Justice of God
The God of Israel is sometimes criticized as being a cruel God for instructing Israel to destroy utterly the inhabitants of Canaan as they…
Samson & Delilah
At a time when Israel was not following GOD and they were under the rulership of the Philistines, The Angel of the LORD appeared to an…
Torah Lessons
It is sad to see that people seem to be increasingly considering it inappropriate for anyone to discuss something from scripture that…
The Dead Closest
“If anyone is found slain, lying in the field in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed…
Torah-You Need to Know to Know
The Torah says, "'When your son asks you in time to come, saying, "What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments…
Ichabod
During a war between the Philistines and Israel the Ark of God, with the 10 Commandments in it, was taken away by the Philistines. Eli was…
The Ten Commandments: Introduction
The Ten Commandments: Introduction
No Substitutes
Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of…
The Servant
The prophet Isaiah wrote, "Behold, My servant shall prosper, He shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high." (Isaiah 52:13,…
This Too
In the Torah is the amazing story of Joseph, a young, talented fellow who one day ended up staring up at the sky from the bottom of an…
Let Him Without Sin Cast the First Stone
"But Yeshua went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak, he appeared again in the Temple Court, where all the people gathered around him, and…
Torah-Caution
"And the LORD said to Moses, 'When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand.…
Isaac Loved Esau, Rebekah Loved Jacob
"And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob." Genesis 25:28 "Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife,…
Deborah and Jael
Have you ever heard this song? "Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed is she among women in tents. He…
But...But...Wait...But
"Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son…
Torah-Cursed Blessings
The Jewish Bible gives us a serious warning, "'And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if you will not…
A Tale of Two Women
We often hear of the courageous deeds of Esther and her role in saving the Jewish people, and agree this moral woman did great deeds, but…
The Thing You Will Never See Again
Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you…
A Harvest of Blessing
"There was a relative of Naomi's husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. So Ruth the Moabitess said…
You Number My Wanderings
“You number my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle; are they not in your book?” Psalm 56:8There are times in life when we may feel…
Then Moses Said
"Then Moses said, 'I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn. 'So when the LORD saw that he turned aside…
Ebenezer
When Samuel became the spiritual leader in Israel, he urged the people to put their sins behind them and turn to the Lord with all their…
Gideon
The Angel of the Lord appeared to a Jewish man named Gideon. At first Gideon did not realize that this Angel of the Lord, who appeared to…
Elisha and the Syrians
At a time when the Syrian Army was warring against Israel GOD showed Elisha the prophet where the Syrian army was hiding out. The King of…
Israel's New Name
Do you know where the name Israel comes from? It originated in a most remarkable manner. Abraham's grandson Jacob was the younger of two…
Joseph son of Jacob
Jacob, whom God later renamed Israel, had 12 children. These 12 children and their descendants became known as the 12 tribes of Israel.…
Elisha and Naaman
Naaman, an army commander of Syria, brought back a young Israelite girl to be a servant after one of Syria's raids on Israel. When Naaman…
Angel of the Lord
Angel of the Lord is mentioned 52 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. It was the Angel of the Lord who came to Abraham to stop his hand from…
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Yielding Mind and Body
How could it be possible that three young captives from Israel were allowed to live, and were even promoted, after defying a death decree…
Shabbat and Torah
The Torah tells us to keep the Shabbat.
Jehoshaphat
King Jehoshaphat was the 5th King after King David.
Jehovah Jireh
God is a great God. He has promised to provide all of our needs, including the ability to be forgiven. That is why Abraham called him…
Job
Have you ever wondered why God allows suffering, pain, war, and sickness?
Four in the Torah
There are a lot of sets of four in the Torah and below are just a few examples:
Who Causes Evil?
One of the greatest objections to the belief in God is the existence of evil.
Altar of Incense
One of the three pieces of furniture in the Holy Place of God's sanctuary is the Altar of Incense.
Sinning Animals
Many people may be under the impression that only humans were held accountable for their actions, but that is not true.
Which Covenant Are You Living Under?
It seems that many do not actually know what the Old Covenant is.
Manna
Inside the most Holy Place of God’s sanctuary God had Moses place an Ark covered with gold. Of the three items God commanded to be placed…
Technically....I'm Still Wrong
“And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar.
The Brazen Altar
The first thing a person would see when they entered God's sanctuary would be the brazen altar, also known as the altar of burnt offerings.
Faith for Manna
When Israel was in the wilderness they were concerned about God providing food, “because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in…
Not What You See
“Now there arose a new king over Egypt. He knew nothing about Yosef (Joseph) but said to his people, ‘Look, the descendants of Isra’el have…
Two Birds and Blood
The Torah tells us about a very interesting ceremony that includes dipping a bird that is alive in the blood of another bird with an…
God's Alchemy
Definition of alchemy: A seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination.
Jehoshaphat
King Jehoshaphat was the 5th King after King David.
Torah-You Need to Know to Know
The Torah says, "'When your son asks you in time to come, saying, "What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments…
A Fool's Wrath
“In the course of time, Nahash king of the Ammonites died, and his son succeeded him as king. David thought, ‘I will show kindness to Hanun…
The Servant
The prophet Isaiah wrote, "Behold, My servant shall prosper, He shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high." (Isaiah 52:13,…
Samuel
Hannah desired a child for a long time but was not able to conceive. One year when she and her husband went up to the Temple she wept…
Restitution
“If a person causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over or lets his animal loose to graze in someone else’s field, he is to make…
The Bible Chapter Written by a Pagan King
History records the glories and triumphs of the golden kingdom of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar.
Mother in Israel
Are you a mother, or a father, in Israel? Have you ever heard someone called "a mother in Israel"?
Samson
Have you ever heard someone say, ‘Everything works together for good’? That’s a quote from Rav Shaul. But is that saying true even if…
In the Beginning
Perhaps one of the best known statements in the Torah is the verse “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
Be Careful What You Mix Bread With
Bread is a very interesting thing in the Torah. Bread represents God’s provision.
But...But...Wait...But
"Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son…
Who is Really Israel?
Do you have to be born from the literal ancestry of Abraham to be considered a part of Israel? Let us think about that question a moment.
