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11/27/2016 0 Comments

Lech L´cha: A Command to Go Forth

By Richard Sison | 2016

Introduction

The parsha Lech L’cha literally means "go for you.” This is the fifth and sixth words in the parashah (פָּרָשָׁה) is the third weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. It covers the passages of Genesis 12:1–17:27. This parsha is made up of 6,336 Hebrew letters, 1,686 Hebrew words, and 126 verses, and occupies about 208 lines in a Torah Scroll ( סֵפֶרתּוֹרָה , Sefer Torah). Jews read it on the third Sabbath after Simchat Torah.

The following is the summary of the series of events in this parsha:
1. Abram was told to go to Canaan and Lot went with him (Gen 12:1-9)
2. Abram and company went to Egypt due to the famine in the land and Sarai was taken by Pharaoh but eventually was given back (Gen 12:10-20).
3. Abram and company left Egypt and went to Bethel. Abram and Lot parted ways for the land was unable to sustain both of them due to their excessive flocks and Lot chose the area of Sodom and Abram went to Hebron (Gen 13:6-18)
4. There were war of the kings. Sodom and Gomorrah and their allies were defeated and looted and Lot was taken as prisoner. Abram and his 318 men defeated the captors and rescued Lot and upon his return was blessed by Melchizedek. (Gen 14:1-24)
5. The L-RD made a covenant with Abraham and was warned that his descendants shall be afflicted them four hundred years but will come back with great substance (Gen 15:1-21)
6. Sarai lost hope and gave Hagar to Abram to have children through her but Hagar was sent away after she despised Sarai but was commanded by the Angel of the L-RD to go back and submit herself to Sarai (Gen16:1-16)
7. The L-RD reiterated His covenant with Abram and instituted the sign of the covenant, which is the circumcision and changed their names to Abraham and Sarah (Gen 17:1-27)

How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven,
those whose sin is covered!
How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no deceit!

Psalms 32:1-2

The message

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11/27/2016 0 Comments

Noach: An Exegesis of Gen 6:9-11:32

By Richard Sison | 2016

Introduction

The name of Noah was mentioned 31 times in the Parsha of Noach. What is the significance of the number 31? Let us start with El, which is G-D in Hebrew, is spelled lamed, with a numerical value of 30, and aleph, 1, which totals 31. Rebekah, on the other hand, was mentioned 31 times in the Bible and Luke mentioned 31 Older Covenant materials, second highest in NT while king Josiah, the best king of Judah reigned at the age of 8 and ruled for 31 years.

Another thing that is worthy to take note is that the B’reishit, which the first parsha, has 11 generations from Adam to Shem while parsha Noach has 11 generations from Noah to Abraham. Parsha Noach also started with a righteous man Noah and ended up with another righteous man, Abraham.

The Parsha covers a span of around 400 years starting just shortly before the end of the first world and the beginning of the present world. There were 2 judgments in this parsha, the deluge (flooding) and confusion of language.

Covenant was first mentioned with Noah in this Parsha and it was repeated for a total of eight (8) times, 1 prior to flood (Gen 6:18) and 7 after the flood in chap 9 (verses 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17). The word echad, which means One or “united” was first used in this parsha in Gen 11:6 "....the people is echad or one.” Echad was used in Deut 6:4 with the Shema declaring that the L-RD our G-D, the L-RD is One (echad - compound unity). The singular word for “one” in Hebrew is yachid while echad is plural.

Adonai said to Noach, “Come into the ark, you and all your household; for I have seen that you alone in this generation are righteous before me.

Genesis 7:1

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11/27/2016 0 Comments

B´reishit: The Beginnings

By Richard Sison | 2016

Introduction

The Genesis as we know it is called B’reishit in the Hebrew Bible, which means “the beginnings” for it records the beginning of everything as we know them. Contrary to our common belief, B’reishit or Genesis is not a historical book but rather a record bearing the beginning of many things that is related to biblical stories and the development on how G-D’s instructions (the Torah) and G-D’s covenants came about. Since it is not a historical book, it does not carry the complete account of everything that we need to know. There were other books that were written for historical account but unfortunately it did not make it to the Canon for one reason or another.

Some notable facts in B’reishit:
1. It covers a span of over 1600 years period
2. It covers seven (7) righteous generations from Adam
3. It covers seven (7) unrighteous generations from Adam
4. All seven (7) righteous generations prior to Noah died already.
5. The Name of HaShem was mentioned 33 times in this Parsha. (see discussion below)
6. There were 24 names mentioned in this Parsha; 12 were righteous and 12 that were not.
7. There are 146 verses in the Parsha of B’reishit and Psalms 146 alludes to it.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways, says Adonai.
As high as the sky is above the earth
are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

The message

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11/26/2016 0 Comments

Balak: And the Errors of Balaam

By Richard Sison | 2015

Introduction

The Bible does not say much about Balaam other than he was the son of Beor at Pethor (of Mesopotamia - Deut 23:4), which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people (Num 22:5). It appears that Balaam was known among the people of the land (i.e., Moabites and Madianites) and has a reputation of able to effectively bless or curse people.

Other things that the Bible says about Balaam, to wit:
1. Balaam knows the Name of the Most High (Num 23:3)
2. The L-RD met with Balaam at least 4 times (Num 22:9, 20; 23:4, 16)
3. The Angel of the L-RD met with Balaam (Num 22:22-35)
4. The L-RD gave Balaam instructions (Num 22:12, 20; 23:16)
5. The Ruach Hakodesh came upon Balaam (Num 24:2)

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Jude 1:11

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11/26/2016 0 Comments

M´tzora: A Leper

By Richard Sison | 2015

Introduction

In as much as many biblical scholars have seen the treatment of tzaraat by the priests as a medical issue, it was evident to the majority of Jewish sages that the laws and rituals concerning this malady cannot be explained as being “just” concerned with health or sanitation. Even the modern commentators such as Nehama Leibowitz, one of the twentieth century's greatest Bible commentators, he insinuated that "the Torah does not adopt a medical approach but regards the disease as a symptom of spiritual imbalance.

These six things the L-RD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
1. A proud look
2. A lying tongue,
3. Hands that shed innocent blood,
4. A heart that devises wicked plans,
5. Feet that are swift in running to evil,
6. A false witness who speaks lies,
7. And one who sows discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

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11/26/2016 0 Comments

Ki Tisa: When You Take a Census

By Richard Sison | 2015

Introduction

By Richard Sison | 2015

The Covenant Sign. In verse 13, we notice that the word is “Sabbaths” - its plural. The L-RD is commanding His people to observe not only the 7th day Sabbath but the rest of the “moedim” or Appointed Feasts and it is a sign between G-D and the children of Israel and those who abide with them. There is a corresponding penalty for defiantly violating the Sabbaths of the L-RD and violators pay a hefty penalty - that is death. John was talking about sin not leading to death in 1 John 5:17 and there are sins that lead to death in verse 16. However, we should not also be quick to judge. Even the priests in the Temple breaks the Sabbath and are innocent (Matt 12:5). There is a big difference between those who cannot observe the Sabbaths on a regular basis and those who do not want to observe the Sabbaths in complete defiance and is an outright rebellion.

for Yeshua Himself said “But if you have known what it means ‘I desire compassion that sacrifice’, you would not have judged the innocent”

Matthew 12:2-7

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11/26/2016 0 Comments

Bo: Come (With Me unto Pharaoh)

By Richard Sison | 2015

Introduction

Adonai sends the plagues of locusts and darkness upon Egypt and forewarns Moses about the final plague, the death of every Egyptian firstborn, both man and animals. Pharaoh still does not want to let the Israelites leave Egypt. (Exo 10:1-11:10)
Adonai commands Moses and Aaron regarding the Passover feast. (Exo 12:1-27)
Adonai enacts the final plague, striking down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt except those of the children of Israel. Pharaoh now allows the Israelites to leave. (Exo 12:29-42)
Speaking to Moses and Aaron, Adonai repeats the commandments about Passover. (Exo 12:43-13:16)

And the L-RD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:

Exodus 10:1

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11/26/2016 0 Comments

Vayishlach: And [Jacob] Sent

By Richard Sison | 2015

Introduction

The Parsha readings for Vayishlach, which means “And [Jacob] Sent,” are from Genesis 32:4−36:43, covering the time that Jacob left Haran and saw the camp of the angels of the Most High until the time his father Isaac died: about 35 years of Jacob’s life. During this time, Jacob had the ultimate hand-1 to-hand combat in an overnight wrestling match with a mysterious being, who, later on he realized to be G-D Himself (Gen 32:30). This was the fourth instance of Jacob's mystical experience, only this time he had a physical encounter. Also, this Parsha narrates the dramatic reunion of the brothers Jacob and Esau. During this period, Jacob’s daughter Dinah was defiled, and this provoked her brothers' fury to trick the Shechemites, and utterly destroy them. This happened before Isaac's demise. When Isaac died, Esau and Jacob buried their father.

Because I have seen God face to face, yet my life is spared.

Genesis 32:30

The message

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11/26/2016 0 Comments

Vayetzei: And [Jacob] Left

By Richard Sison | 2015

Introduction

This Parsha pertains to the life-changing twenty years of Jacob’s life. It covers from the time he left Beersheba up to the time he left Haran from Laban bringing his whole family. When Jacob left for Haran to elude his brother Esau’s plot to kill him, it was a guise of being sent peacefully by his father Isaac to find a wife. We have to notice that the plot of Esau to kill Jacob was not revealed to the ailing and blind Isaac but rather Rebekah, in her righteousness covered up this unfortunate situation from Isaac for it will not help out the situation. The threat was covered up by sending Jacob alone to Haran and yet Jacob received the true blessing from Isaac, and this is the blessing given to Isaac from Abraham and now to Jacob.

There are also three mystical appearances of the L-RD and the heavenly hosts to Jacob. The first one in Bethel, when he was on his way to Haran whereby the L-RD blessed Jacob confirming the blessings just given by Isaac. The second mystical encounter was through a dream with regards on how Jacob would get his fair share in Laban’s flock. The third encounter was when Jacob met by the angels in Mahanaim just before he planned to meet his brother Esau.

What advantage is it to us if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?

Genesis 37:26

The message

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11/26/2016 0 Comments

Tol´dot: The Generations [of Isaac]

By Richard Sison | 2015

Introduction

Parsha for the week of 2nd of Kislev in Hebrew calendar is Tol’dot תולדת , the second Hebrew word in Gen 25:19 referring to the generation of Isaac. Tol’dot is Hebrew for "history" or "family", or technically, "the family history of Isaac".

The following are the topics for this Parsha, to wit:
1. The history of Isaac, Abraham’s son. (Gen 25:19-20)
2. Isaac pleaded with the L-RD for his wife Rebekah because she was barren. (Gen 25:21)
3. Rebekah had twins, Esau and Jacob. (Gen 25:22-26)
4. Esau gave Jacob his birthright in exchange for some stew. (Gen 25:27-34)
5. King Abimelech was led to think that Rebekah was Isaac's sister, but later found out
that she was really his wife. (Gen 26:1-16)
6. Isaac planned to bless Esau, his firstborn. Rebekah instructed Jacob to delude Isaac so that Jacob receives the blessing. (Gen 27:1-29)
7. Esau threatened to kill Jacob, which led Jacob to flee to Haran. (Gen 27:30-45)

Therefore G-D give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

Gen 27:28-29

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