The Torah Portions are a weekly systematic teaching schedule that includes a portion of scripture from the Torah, Prophets, and New Testament each week.  This schedule is known all over the world. Many ask why we read the Torah word for word each year as opposed to other parts of the Bible. To put it simply it is the very foundation of life, in which God reiterates throughout his Word, that if a person were to obey them, they will live by them, or find life in them (Lev. 18:5, Ezek. 20:21, Matt. 19:17). Just as a house will not stand without a solid foundation, so the entirety of the word of God past these 5 books does not stand and cannot be properly tested if we don’t have a solid understanding of the initial instructions of YHWH (Romans 15:4). Knowing that in the beginning the Word was God, and later came to flesh as our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1-4, Deut. 30:19-20), He and His Word are One in the administration of life.

A strong spiritual foundation is an ongoing process that is divinely ordained, diligently pursued and implemented through study and practice in our daily lives. It is the spirit’s daily bread and should be taken in as often as we feed and nourish our physical bodies, if not more. Otherwise we are subject to sickness and decay in the spirit just as we would in the physical body, should it be deprived of its basic needs. So goes the story that God tells in his Word. The rise and fall of God’s people was contingent upon their understanding and obedience in God’s word which was first established in the Torah. We believe that this is no different for us today, that we will either rise or fall based on our understanding and obedience to the Word of God, for “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).  In addition to the latter verse, we must take to heart the final admonition of Moses to Israel before they crossed into the promised land, knowing that we too hold the choice of life or death as we make our own journey to the eternal Kingdom of YHWH.

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deut. 30:19-20

Weekly Torah Portions

Yithro: Exodus 18:1-21:23 (February 12-18)   Yithro PDF

Peering into beginning of this week’s portion, we catch a quick glimpse at a divine response coming from a man who appears only a few times in the Bible. From what we can gather, Jethro appears to be a very wise, respectable, and godly man…

Mishpatim: Exodus 21:1-24:18 (February 19-25) Mishpatim PDF

In the book of Genesis, man is commanded by God to subdue the earth and rule over the animals. Nowhere in this mandate, though, does He charge man to dominate or have dominion over other men and women. Yet man, in his fallen state, has taken it upon himself to Lord it over those whom are weak and vulnerable…

Terumah: Exodus 25:1-27:19 (February 26-March 4) Terumah PDF

It is always beneficial to read these verses in Hebrews before diving into this specific portion of the Torah because they are a stark reminder of why every detail is so important to God, but even more, vital for us. Moses was instructed and warned—multiple times—to construct the tabernacle and institute the divine service according to the pattern which God revealed to him on the mountain (Exodus 25:9)…

Tetzaveh: Exodus 27:20-30:10 (March 5-March 11) Tetzaveh PDF

The title for this week’s portion is Tetzaveh, which means “you shall command”. The command in this instance is for Israel to bring forth pure olive oil to be used by the priests to keep the lamps burning in the tabernacle. From evening to morning these lamps were to keep darkness from entering or filling the tabernacle.

Ki Thissa: Exodus 30:11-34:35 (March 12-March 18) Ki Thissa PDF

The portion for this week is a lengthy one and includes the infamous construction of the golden calf. This reading is always a tough pill to swallow and for obvious reasons. To begin with, God’s people made a hasty choice in turning from God, especially after basking in all of the signs and wonders in the days and weeks prior to this event.

Vayyakhel: Exodus 35:1-38:20 (March 19-March 25) Vayyakhel PDF

The word sh’ma in Hebrew is such a beautiful and instructive word, speaking to the very heart and nature that God desires from His children. For the people of Israel are to be characterized not only by their attentiveness to God’s instruction, but also by their steadfast obedience to those very instructions. Sh’ma is a double command to “hear”—with attention, interest, and understanding—and to obey.

Pekudei: Exodus 38:21-40:38 (March 19-March 25)

Vayyikra: Leviticus 1:1-5:26 (March 26- April 1)

Tzav: Leviticus 6:1-8:36 (April 2- April 8)

Passover Readings   Passover 2017 PDF

Bemidbar: Numbers 1:1-4:20 (May 21- May 27)

Naso: Numbers 4:21-7:89 (May 28-June 3)

Behaalosecha: Numbers 8:1-12:16 (June 4- June 10)

Shelach Lecha: Numbers 13:1-15:41 (June 11- June 17)

Korach: Numbers16:1-18:32 (June 18- June 24)

Chukkas: Numbers 19:1-22:1 (June 25- July 1)

Balak: Numbers 22:2 – 25:9 (July 2- July 8)