Vayeitzei

Genesis 28:10-32:3

February 1st, 2013

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This weeks discussion covers the Torah portion of Vayeitzei, Genesis 28:10-32:3. Everything old is new again in Vayeitzei as Gordon and crew release the vacuum-seal and allow the fresh air of language, history and context to inform Jacob’s time in Haran. Jacob’s servitude to his trickster father-in-law smells sadly familiar even in English, but the echoes of reciprocal justice appear most poignant in Hebrew.

Both the obvious and obscure perplexities of the Portion are examined: Leah’s eyes, Rachel’s thievery, Jacob’s breeding practices, his oblivious honeymoon and what it means to be “remembered” by God. We learn the myth of the Stone of Scone and that Bethel is not another name for Jerusalem.

Word studies include: “deceive,” “mandrakes,” “weak,” and “God’s camp.” The two names given to “pile of witness” reveal the first time a foreign language is spoken in the Tanakh. We also learn the meaning of the names of Jacob’s children—particularly Levi and its foreshadowing of a house of prayer for all nations—where everyone’s sacrifice will be accepted.

Toldot

Genesis 25:19-28:9

February 1st, 2013

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This weeks discussion covers the Torah portion of Toldot; Genesis 25:19-28:9. God’s desire and ability to establish a universal and eternal plan within three generations of a mere human family comes to the forefront in Toldot. Discussions include: Are three related nations depicted among these generations? What is the symbolic significance of Isaac’s wells? Word studies include: “red,” “heel,” “trembled,” and how the KJV back-tracked to render a personified view of “satan.” We see familial patterns continue as Isaac echoes, “she’s my sister,” and Rebecca steps away from the daily grind to “seek Yehovah.” The trio explores Jacob and Esau’s differences—a shepherd with a plan and a hunter in the moment—as well as the defining difference that altered their destinies. As Jacob sets off with the double portion, God’s mixed-multitude plan is set in motion—a plan to bring his covenant to all mankind.

Chayei Sarah

Genesis 23:1 – 25:18

February 1st, 2013

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This weeks discussion covers the Torah portion of Chayei Sarah covering Genesis 23:1-25:18. Love, romance, marriage, death, laden camels, and the power of specific prayers—Chayei Sarah unfolds dramatically as the trio examine its many pearls. The portion begins with Abraham securing a burial place for Sarah and ends with his death. In between, we get to relive one of the world’s best stories, not once, but four times, as Abraham’s servant makes a match for Isaac. But far from stale repetition, Gordon explains that being able to analyze word choices in a repeated story is pay dirt for the linguist.

Word studies include: “rose up”, under the “thigh”, the number “ten”, and a rare accent mark used only three times in the Torah. Discussions include: Why would a master negotiator insist on paying full price for anything? Why was Abraham adamant that Isaac not be taken back to Ur? And what was at the heart of the servant’s methods that caused him to be such a clever matchmaker?

Vayyera

Genesis 18:1-22:24

February 1st, 2013

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Who were the three men Abraham saw? What can we learn from the cheese burger of the Bible? What is the meaning of the name Isaac? Was the sin of Sodom really homosexuality? Was Ishmael scoffing, mocking, or something else altogether? The Torah clearly states that human sacrifice is an abomination to God, how then are we to understand the command to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac? “In your seed all the nations of the earth may be…grafted”?

Lech Lecha

Genesis 12:1-17:27

February 1st, 2013

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This weeks discussion covers the Torah portion of Lech Lecha, Genesis 12:1-17:27. The trio revel in the extraordinary drama of Abraham’s epic: a call from heaven, famine, war, plagues, dreadful and great darkness, bisected animals, flaming torches, battles with vultures, sister wives and kings. Then the cliffhanger—the God-who-sees promises to make an everlasting covenant with a yet-to-be-conceived son, and to make him the father of 12 princes.

Noach

Genesis 6:9-11:32

February 1st, 2013

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Was there a Law code during the time of Noah? What was the sin of Ham? What is the significance of the rainbow? What was the purpose of the tower of Babel? Who was Nimrod? Was Hebrew the spoken language before the Babel incident? Who is the “us” in Genesis 11:7?

Bereshit

Torah Pearls - Genesis 1:1-6:8

January 30th, 2013

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What is the annual Torah Portion and how did it begin? What period of time is between verse one and verse two? How are we to understand that the Spirit “hovered” over the waters? What is the secret meaning behind the “aleph-tav,” pronounced “et,” and what is it’s grammatical function? If everything God created was good, then what’s with the serpent?