CEM Shabbat - Vayeshev - He Settled 12-17-22

WHY READ THE TORAH, PROPHETS, AND BRIT CHADASHA?
The weekly Torah reading is about maintaining a relationship with Elohim, the culture, and traditions. First mentioned in Deuteronomy, where Moshe (Moses) instructs the tribe of Levi and the elders of Israel to gather all the people for a public reading from portions of the Torah once every seven years. After the destruction of the Second, Temple reading intensified in 70 C.E. As the Jews dispersed across the middle east, north Africa, and Europe, their religious practices were decentralized. These communities read the Torah publicly during festivals, special Shabbatot, and "fast" days.

Interestingly, it was not until the Talmudic era (6th century C.E.) that Jews in Israel began to read publicly after completing the Five Books of Moses. At this time, the cycle took three years. The Jews in Babylon established a different custom around the 7th Century C.E. and completed the entire process each year, dividing the Torah into 54 weekly portions; in Hebrew, it's called a Parsha.

During the 19th Century, Jews in London tried reintroducing the 6th-century cycle, but it was not adopted. In the U.S., Jews sought to modernize the service (the New World); however, they also favored the 6th-century version claiming the study would be more concentrated and thus enhanced. Finally, in 1988, the readings were standardized a new American triennial cycle dividing the 54 portions into thirds. This process allowed congregations to read the "same portions" and enabled them to read from Genesis through Deuteronomy each year, culminating with an annual end of the Torah reading cycle called "Simchat Torah."

This new cycle has preferred this cycle, but Jews in Israel and orthodox Jews in America continue to follow the annual process but read the entire portion each week.

As believers in Yeshua, we follow this cycle to connect with the original message of the Torah because these readings enhance the understanding of the New Covenant. Having a standardized message across different congregations also solidifies the Word of Elohim and the Messiah. This essential piece is missing from the American "Christian Church" that enables other theories, stories, and gospels to prevail throughout these congregations and denominations. Recently, the world lived through another dispersal, and communities were not allowed to meet in person. Different messages continued through various means, but it is missing the unifying message of Elohim; the inspired Scriptures by Elohim should unite us, not divide us.

Mark 3:25 as, "And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

THIS PARSHA READINGS: VAYESHEV (HE SETTLED)
Genesis 37:1-40:23
The ninth reading from the book of Genesis is named Vayeshev, which means "and he dwelt." The title comes from the first verse of the reading, which says, "Now Jacob [dwelt] in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan" (Genesis 37:1). Despite the portion's name and first verse, the story is actually about Jacob's son Joseph and how he was removed from the land of Canaan and dwelt in Egypt. The narrative follows Joseph from Canaan to Egypt to prison. In addition, this week's reading contains the story of Judah and Tamar.

Amos 2:6-3:8
The dominant message of the book of Amos is the proclamation of judgment upon Israel by Yahuah their God because of their oppression of the poor.

Matthew 1:18-25
Immediately after the genealogy, Matthew records the birth story (1:18-25). Yet he says little about the actual birth of Jesus. The focus is rather upon the significance of Jesus' conception and birth as that significance is communicated through the testimony of the angel.
The testimony of the angel. First, the mission of this child is to save his people from their sins (1:21)
Second, Jesus is a Savior of his people for two reasons: (1) he has been conceived by the Holy Spirit and is therefore infinitely superior to all other humans and unique in his relationship with God (vv.18, 20) and (2) God himself is present in the person of Jesus for victory over their struggle with evil (vv.22-23).

V’sham-Too. V’nay. Israel et ha-Shabbat, la-ah-sote. Et ha-Shabbat l’doe-ro-tahm b’reet oh-lahm, bay-nee o’vain b’nay Yisrael, ote he l’oh-lahm, key shay-shet ya-meem ah-sa Adonai, et. ha-sha-ma-yeem, v’et ha-ah-retz, oo’va-yom hash-ve-ee, sha-vaht va-yee-na-fhash.

The children of Israel shall keep the Shabbat, observing it throughout the generations as an everlasting covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.

Elohim is so rich in mercy and love that even when we were dead because of disobedience, we have been delivered by grace, through trusting in Elohim who sent the Messiah as a gift. Remember our former state, Gentiles by birth, at that time had no Messiah, strangers to the national life of Isra’el; foreigners to the covenants embodying Elohim’s promise. We were without hope and without Elohim. But now, we have been brought near by the Messiah’s blood; he is our shalom, he has united two groups into one humanity and given us shalom.

And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another and from one SHABBAT to another, ALL flesh shall come to worship before Me, says the Adonai.

Ba-rooch. Ah-ta Adonai Eh-lo-hay-noo. Meh-lech. Ha-oh-lahm, ah-sher. Na-tahn. La-noo ha-deh-rech l’y’shoo-ah b’ma-she-ahch Yeshua, Ah-main

Blessed are you Adonai our Elohim, king of the universe, Who has given us the way to salvation in Messiah Yeshua. Amen.

SHEMA YISRAEL - HEAAR O ISRAEL
Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Sh’ma Yisrael Adonai. Eh-lo-hay-noo. Adonai eh-chahd. Ba-rooch shame k’vide mahl-choo-toe l’oh-lahm vah-ed.

Ysra’el! Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad [Hear, Isra’el! Adonai our Elohim, Adonai is one]; and you are to love Adonai your Elohim with all your heart, with all your being and all your resources. Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom for all eternity. In the name of Yeshua our Messiah

V’ah-hav-ta et Adonai Eh-lo-heh-cha b’chop l’vahv-cha. oo-v’chol nahf-sh’cha, oo-v’chol m’oh-deh-cha. V’ha-yoo had-d’va-reem ha-ay-leh, ah-sher ah-no-chee m’tzav-cha ha-yom Ahl l’va-veh-cha b’vay-teh-cha oo-v’lech-t’cha, v’dee-bar-ta baht b’sheen-t’cha. B’vay-teh-cha. Oo-k’shar-tahm l’oat al ya-deh-cha, v’ha-yoo. L’toe-ta-fote bain ay-neh-cha. Oo-ch’tav-tahm. Ahl m’zoo-hoht. Bay-teh-cha oo-vee-sh’ah-reh-cha.

And you shall love the Adonai your Elohim, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And have these words which I canned you this day, be upon your heart. And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you retire, and when you arise. And you shall bind them for sign upon your hand and let them be frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorpost of your house and upon your gates.

V’ah-hav-ta l’ray-ah-cha ka-moe-cha
AND YOU SHOULD LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.