A Taste of Torah
by Ronda Harvey-Wagner
A Taste of Torah is a short, introduction to the weekly Torah readings from a Christian perspective. It is for any person who has interest in studying the Word of God by reading through the first five books of the Bible. For those who would like to participate in the the full study each week, we encourage listeners to visit the ministry website at www.wordofencouragement.org and subscribe to our online class Sweetness of the Scroll. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-taste-of-torah--5690880/support.
Episodes
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Leviticus 6:8-8:36 (Tzav) Is Our Worship Holy? Or Profane?
In this portion, Aarons and his sons, the priests receive instructions from Yahweh on how to bring the sacrifices before him for the people. It was important for them to follow the instructions so that the Tabernacle remained sacred space and the Presence of Yahweh could remain in the midst of...
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Leviticus 1:1-6:7 (Vayikra) The Korban: Drawing Near
This first portion of Leviticus is all about the instructions given to Moses to give to the people for bringing their offerings to Aaron and his sons, the priests. The Tabernacle is now complete, the glory cloud of Yahweh is in the Tent of Meeting, so now Yahweh explains how the people are to...
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Exodus 38:21-40:38 (Pekudei) The Mishkan- On Earth As It Is In Heaven
Moses makes an accounting of all the offerings that were given for the building of the mishkan. He was shown the pattern when he went up on Mount Sinai the first time. Remember the LORD chose Bezalel to build the furnishings and the tabernacle used for worship. Bezalel was anointed and especially...
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Exodus 35:1-38:20 (Vayakhel) The Gathered and the Gifted
This portion is about the construction of the tabernacle. Moses gathers the people to give the instructions on what Yahweh has commanded. The people are invited to bring their offerings, willingly, to Moses for the building of the tabernacle furnishings and the tapestries. All those who were...
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Exodus 30:11-34:35 The Presence and the Promise
This portion begins with Moses receiving instructions on how to number the people, there must be an offering giving to Yahweh to make atonement for the people. The need for atonement becomes very evident in the other events of the portion, specifically the Golden Calf incident. Moses has to…
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Exodus 27:20-30:10 (Tetzaveh) Chosen Priesthood
THE SOUND ON THE PODCAST IS VERY LOW. APOLOGIES FOR THE TECHNICAL ISSUES. In this portion, Yahweh gives Moses instructions for ordaining Aaron and his sons for the priesthood. There is a detailed description of the priestly garments and how they are to be made and why it is important for Aaron…
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Exodus 25:1-27:19 (Terumah) Offering
This week’s Torah portion Terumah is the beginning of discourse between Yahweh and Moses concerning instructions for the building of the Tabernacle. Yahweh asks the people to give an offering for the construction of the mishkan or tabernacle. The offering that was collected was a heave offering…
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Exodus 21:1-24:18 (Mishpatim) The Book of the Covenant
In the last Torah portion the people of Yahweh received the Ten Words on Mt. Sinai. In this portion, the LORD gives Moses the judgments for the people. There many different situations and circumstances that are addressed in those few chapters. This is the part of the Bible that most people don’t...
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Exodus 18:1-20:26 (Jethro) The Ten Words
This is a very important portion because it is the biblical account of Yahweh descent on Mt Sinai to speak to Moses and Israel to give them the covenant or Ten Words, which we call the Ten Commandments. It is the an encounter full of fire and glory of Yahweh all symbolizing the covenantal...
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Exodus 13:17-17:16 (Beshalach) Yahweh is A Warrior
In this portion Yahweh continues His demonstration of power and authority over Pharaoh and Egypt by leading His people through the Red Sea by a mighty miraculous deliverance. Moses, the sent deliverer helps Yahweh by obeying His commands and uses his staff to part the Red Sea. Later in another...
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Exodus 10:1-13:16 (Bo) Come Get Your Deliverance
Yahweh is a God of Deliverance. In this portion He demonstrates His supreme power in delivering the Israel from the bondage of Egypt. He has dismantled the gods of Egypt showing to all surrounding nations, His power and authority even over Pharaoh, the god-king. The LORD’s Passover is instituted...
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Exodus 6:2-9:35 (Vaera) Yahweh the Deliverer
In this portion, Yahweh expresses His intention to reveal Himself as YHVH and deliver His firstborn Israel from Egyptian bondage. Moses experiences resistance from Pharaoh and the Israelites, but Yahweh reaffirms that He will demonstrate His power and authority through Moses using miraculous…
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Exodus 1:1-6:1 (Shemot) The Name Revealed
We are starting the next book of the Pentateuch, Exodus with its first portion, Shemot translated names. In this portion we learn that Yahweh is a covenant keeping God who is looking for a partner to help him deliver his people from the slavery of Egypt. Moses is who Yahweh has chosen but Moses…
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Genesis 47:28-50:26 (Vayechi) The Power of Blessing
In this last Torah portion of the book of Genesis, Bereshit, Jacob is nearing the end of his life and calls his sons to gather so that he can release blessings over them. Israel takes Joseph’s sons Manasseh and Ephraim and adopts them as his own, then speaks that they too will be honored among...
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Genesis 44:18-47:27 (Vayigash) Joseph’s Reveal and Judah’s Restoration
In this Torah portion, Joseph has his big reveal with his brothers. He tells them who he is after his brother Judah makes an impassioned appeal on behalf of Benjamin. In this portion we see the birthright of Joseph fully demonstrated as he is able to provide for his family in Egypt. We also see...
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Genesis 41:1-44:17 (Miketz) Joseph’s Journey and Matters of the Heart
In this portion we discuss some of the reasons why Joseph experienced so much suffering. Jewish and Christian tradition give us some clues that help us understand that the lives of the patriarchs are much different than ours. They were flawed individuals with family challenges and dysfunction…
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Genesis 37:1-40:23 (Vayeshev) Dreams, A Word and Trials
In this portion we discover how the narrative of scripture reveals the purpose of God. The life of Joseph as the favored son of Israel shows how Yahweh’s divine plan and purposes are not halted by human interruptions. Many times our human deviations end up exposing the sovereignty of God.…
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Genesis 32:3-36:43 (Vayishlach) The Breaking and the Blessing
In this portion, Jacob, the heel grabber, conniver and deceiver must come to grips with his past. He has to obey the command of the Yahweh and return to Canaan which will involve facing off with his brother Esau who he took advantage of and swindled the birthright and the blessing right from…
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Genesis 28:10-32:2 (VaYetse) Divine Dreams
The Torah portions read during the Hebrew month of Kislev include dreams correlating to the month of dreams. In this portion, Jacob encounters Yahweh at a “certain place” that we discover is the same region where his grandfather, Abraham, encountered Yahweh and built an altar in worship to Him....
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Genesis 25:19-28:9 (Toldot) Generational Blessings
In this Torah portion, Isaac has a tea with Yahweh, after redigging the wells of his father Abraham. There are several issues recounted in Isaac’s life that remind us of his father, Abraham. There was a famine, a relocation, a lie and a king named Abimelech. This obvious pattern speaks to how one...
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Genesis 23:1-25:18 (Chayei Sarah) Abraham’s Servant: the Shaliah
In this portion, we briefly discuss the death of Sarah and the connection to the “Akedah”; Abraham’s testing in the binding of Isaac. However, the focus of the discussion is on another important event in this portion; finding Isaac a wife. Abraham’s send his top household servant, Eliezer of...
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Genesis 18:1-22:24 (Vayera) The Promised Son
In this portion we read the biblical account of the promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah. Yahweh appears to Abraham and reiterates His promise of an heir for Abraham that will be born from Sarah. It is an impossible situation and that is exactly how Yahweh planned for His promise to come forth,...
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Genesis 12:1-17:27 (Lech Lecha) Abram’s Faith: Calling on the Name of the LORD
In this portion we read of Yahweh’s call of Abram to leave his family and all that is familiar so that he can become a father of many nations. Yahweh gives Abram a promise, then he adds to it and expands it to include nations and fruitfulness. Abram chooses to believe Yahweh and it is accounted…
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Genesis 6:9-11:32 (Noach) Noah found Grace
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Genesis 1:1-6:8 (B’reisheet) In the Beginning
In this first Torah portion we share our thoughts around the importance of the book of Genesis in understanding Yahweh’s redemptive plan in the the rest of the scripture. The first 11 chapters of Genesis are so important. Unless we understand this framework it is difficult to fully understand all...
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Deut. 33:1-34:12 (V’zot HaBrachah) The Blessing of Moses & Simchat Torah (Joy of Torah)
This is the last portion of the Torah, The Blessing of Moses on the twelve tribes of Israel and his death on Mt. Nebo. In this podcast we share some thoughts around the prophetic nature of the blessing of Moses. It is not only prophetic for the tribes of Israel but also for the second coming of...
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Deut. 32:1-52 Ha’azinu (Give Ear) Listen Heaven and Earth
The title of this portion is translated, give ear. Moses recites this song to the people of Yahweh, Israel and requires heaven and earth to be witnesses as he recalls the destiny of the chosen people. This song taught to Moses from Yahweh Himself, implores the nation to repent and to live a life…
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Double Portion: Deut. 29:9-31:30( Nitzavim & Vayelech ) Covenant and Commission
This week is a double portion. In Nitzavim Moses reiterates the importance of Yahweh’s covenant and the obedience of the people. He reminds Israel of the events that have lead to the crossing over into the promise. There is a renewing of the covenant here with the people, they are standing there…
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Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8(Ki Tavo)Covenant Blessing
This portion reminds us of the covenant agreement Yahweh has made with Israel. This portion gives the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience that are the stipulations of this covenant. Deuteronomy is written like an ancient near east treaty. In the discussion we share some thought...
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Deut. 21:10-25:19 (Ki Tetze ) Continued Instruction for Keeping Community Holy
This torah portion continues with the “instructions from a father to his children” around community and relationships. We talked about how important the Torah is for shaping the lives of Yahweh’s people. Moses is helping the second generation (and us) understand how Yahweh expects them to live as...
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Deut. 11:26-16:17 (Re eh ) & Deut. 16:19-21:9 (Shoftim) Lives Shaped by Torah: A Father’s Instruction
We attempted to discuss two portions in this short podcast. We needed to keep it short this week. In our short discussion we are reminded that Moses’ is sharing with the second generation their covenantal blessings in obeying Yahweh. If they choose to obey Yahweh, it will go well with them. If…
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Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25 (Ekev) A Call to Obedience 2.0
In this portion Moses’ continues to remind the nation of Israel of the covenant love of Yahweh and how he has continually demonstrated that love through their deliverance from Egypt and their wilderness travels. These instructions were to be written on their circumcised hearts so that they could...
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Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11 Va’etchanan (I Pleaded) The Call to Obedience: Shema
In this portion, Moses implores Israel to follow the commands of Yahweh. He reminds them of how Yahweh had given them the victory over the giant kings,Sihon and Og. His promise to go before them to drive out the other nations in the Promise Land, was secure because of their covenant relationship...
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Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 Devarim (These are the Words): Moses’ Sermon: We are Giant Slayers
This first portion of Deuteronomy, Devarim is translated, These are the words and is Moses’ first sermon to the second generation in preparation for them going in to take possession of the Promised Land. It is a rehearsing of the first generations journey and what happened with the rebellion of...
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Double Portion: Numbers 30:1-36:13 Vows and Journeys
This week’s portion is a double portion to finish up the book of Numbers. In this podcast we discuss the importance of our vows, commitments and words. Vows were important spiritual transactions in the Ancient Near East, and our vows are just as important spiritually. We then reflect on the…
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Numbers 25:10-30:1 (29:40) (Pinchas) A Perptual Promise of Priesthood
This portion is name after Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, whose zealous obedience to Yahweh ended a plague within the nation. During this time Israel has experienced several judgments because of complaining, rebellion and out right disobedience. In this time of rebellion, a tribal leader…
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Numbers 19:1-25:9 (Chukat-Balak) A Paradox and A Blessing
This week’s portion is a double portion. In Chukat, translated statue or decree we learn about the red heifer and the water of cleansing. In past portions, we learned of how important it was to keep the sacred space sacred if Israel wanted Yahweh Presence in its midst. The Red Heifer is what was...
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Numbers 16:1-18:32 Korach (Korah) The Priestly Response to Rebellion: Fall Facedown
In the last portion, we see the community of Israel sin in unbelief when they fail to believe in Yahweh’s promise to give the Promised Land. Just when you think that things couldn’t get any worse, a seed of rebellion is sown and it has dire consequences. Korah, Moses and Aaron’s first cousin,...
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Numbers 13:1-15:41 (Shelach-lekha) The Sent Ones: Faith versus Fear
This portion includes the biblical account of the twelve spies sent into the Promised Land to see exactly what Yahweh had promised His people. Was it a land flowing with milk and honey? Well, when they return the reports are flying and we learn that ten of the spies spread an evil report about…
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Numbers 8:1-12:16 (Beha’ alotcka) The Cloud, A Fire and Prophesy
In this Torah portion Yahweh continues to prepare His people to move out from Mt. Sinai. There are more instructions for Aaron, his sons and the Levites. The Glory Cloud and Fire lead the people of Yahweh, they are learning how to move with His Presence however in the midst of all of this there…
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Numbers 4:21-7:89 (Naso) Take or carry the Blessing and His Name
This Torah portion includes the continuation of the counting of the Levites, the last two tribes, Gershon and Merry as well as more instructions around campy purity. It was imperative that the sacred space of not only the Tabernacle but now also the camp be ceremonially clean. It sounds a bit…
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Numbers 1:1-4:20 Bamidbar: A Company and a Standard
This first portion of Numbers sets the stage for the rest of the book. Bamidbar is translated “in the wilderness” and it covers the time of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness after refusing to go in and take the Promised Land. It starts with the people of God still at Mt. Sinai then moves to...
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Double Portion: Leviticus 25:1-27:34 (Behar & Bechukatai) Blessings of Obedience for the Land
These are the last two portions of Leviticus and we learn how important the Promised Land is to Yahweh. In this portion He declares the land is mine. Yahweh gives Moses instructions to give to Israel about their stewardship of the land He was giving them. There obedience to his laws would affect...
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Leviticus 21:1-24:33 Emor (Say) The Priests and the Lord’s Feasts
In this Torah portion, Yahweh gives intstructions to the priests on how important it is for them to live holy and remain ceremonially clean to minister to Him on behalf of the people. The priesthood is responsible for recognizing between what is clean and unclean, holy and common and teaching the...
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Leviticus 19:1-20:27 (Kedoshim) The Call to Holiness
In this Torah portion, Yahweh calls his people to be holy as He is holy. The portion continues to instruct the people on what holy living looks like. How do they worship Yahweh with holiness? How do they treat others with honor and respect which demonstrates holiness and reverence to Him? It is…
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Leviticus 16:1-18:30 (Achraei Mot) The Day of Atonement
In this portion, Yahweh tells Moses on important instructions for Aaron as he ministers in the Most Holy Place. After the death of his sons, clearly, there needed to be further explanation on how worship is to be given to a Holy God, He had a sacred time set aside in his sacred space for the...
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Double Portion: Leviticus 12:1-13:59 (Tazria) and Leviticus 14:1-15:33 (Metzora)
In this double portion we have a short discussion around clean and unclean and the importance of our speech. These few chapters of Leviticus can be challenging to read and understand in a modern context, but let’s remember our frame of reference is keeping sacred space holy and this required the...
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Leviticus 9:1-11:47 (Shemini) Yahweh is Holy
In this Torah portion Aaron and his sons begin their priestly ministry. It is a lesson in the holiness of Yahweh from start to finish. We must remember that Yahweh has a chosen people set apart and in this book of Leviticus He is detailing all the necessary, instructions, or torah for the people…
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Leviticus 6:8-8:36 Tzav (Command) Priesthood Keep the Fire Burning
In this portion, Moses receives instructions from Yahweh for Aaron and his sons regarding how to appropriately offer the korban in the tabernacle. It seems very repetitive when reading, but this time Yahweh give instructions about how the offerings are received. Then the instructions for the...
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Leviticus 1:1-6:7 (Vayikra) And He Called
The book of Leviticus begins with the words: The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. Vayikra means and He called, meaning Yahweh continued to give Moses instructions concerning how to worship and serve him. Yahweh had moved his place of encounter from the mountain to…
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About this show
A Taste of Torah is a short, introduction to the weekly Torah readings from a Christian perspective. It is for any person who has interest in studying the Word of God by reading through the first five books of the Bible. For those who would like to participate in the the full study each week, we encourage listeners to visit the ministry website at www.wordofencouragement.org and subscribe to our online class Sweetness of the Scroll.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-taste-of-torah--5690880/support.
Hosted by
Ronda Harvey-Wagner
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