Congregation Shema Yisrael

The double parasha of Behar and Bechukotai concludes the book of Leviticus by outlining God's commands for the Sabbath and Jubilee years, alongside a clear contrast between the blessings of obedience and the severe, escalating punishments for breaking His covenant. Although Israel historically suffered the prophesied exile due to their persistent disobedience, the Lord demonstrated His unchanging faithfulness by restoring them to the land after they repented. Today, this message serves as an urgent call to turn away from rebellion and seek salvation through Messiah Yeshua, reminding believers that returning to God brings true peace and restoration rather than continued suffering.

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his study on God's Attributes. He discusses how God's righteous wrath and perfect justice demand that human sin be met with the consequence of death and eternal punishment. However, out of His immense mercy, the Lord willingly took this punishment upon Himself through Messiah Yeshua's death on the cross, fully satisfying the demands of His own judgment. In response to this saving grace, Believers are called to trust the Lord and diligently pursue lives of holiness while eagerly awaiting His return. Click here for Rabbi Jerry's notes.

Rabbi Loren continues his series through Jude. He discusses how Judah initially intended to write about the magnificent salvation shared by all believers. Instead, the infiltration of false teachers made him write about the importance of defending unchanging, core biblical truths. Because this faith was delivered "once for all time" without room for cultural revision or new doctrines , God's people must protect it by deeply knowing Scripture and living distinctly holy lives.

Parasha Emor outlines God's strict holiness requirements for the priests, the unblemished offerings, the appointed feasts, and the perpetual care of the tabernacle's lampstand and showbread. Ultimately, these meticulous standards and ancient rituals foreshadow Yeshua, who serves as our perfect High Priest, the ultimate sacrifice that completely removes our sin.

This week Rabbi Jerry discusses God's righteousness and justice. He shares how the foundation of God’s throne is built on His perfect righteousness and justice, which flow directly from His holiness. God requires all of humanity to follow His standard. Since we cannot achieve this through our own power, we must rely on Messiah Yeshua to satisfy God's justice. Click here for Rabbi Jerry's notes.

In this introductory message on the letter of Jude, Rabbi Loren emphasizes that our truest identity is found not in earthly status, but in being devoted servants of Messiah Yeshua. Jude also reassures Believers that despite the spiritual and internal dangers of a fallen world, they are deeply loved, called, and safely kept by God's multiplying mercy, peace, and love.

Holiness. This single word bridges our two parashas for this week. Acharei Mot ('After the Death') and Kedoshim ('Holy Ones'), which cover Leviticus 16–20. These parashas contain many commandments from the Yom Kippur service to the command to love our neighbor. This morning, we will examine Adonai’s holiness and what it means that He calls us to be holy as well.

This week Rabbi Jerry discusses the practical application of God’s holiness. He emphasizes that while we are justified by grace, we are also called to a lifelong, active journey of progressive sanctification. By intentionally turning away from sin and pursuing moral purity in our daily actions, we demonstrate the genuine evidence of our salvation and experience a richer, more joyful relationship with the Lord. Click here for Rabbi Jerry's notes.

This morning Rabbi Loren gives a different type of message. Rabbi Yeshua taught in unexpected ways that surprised His audience - using parables and vivid images, and following His example, this teaching comes in the form of a story, inspired by C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, which uses fiction to expose spiritual realities. This title of this story is Instructions From A Principality.

Roman Clark shares his thoughts on both of these parashas. He discusses how God's righteousness and mercy is seen in His commands concerning lepers and those who are ritually impure.

Rabbi Jerry teaches on God's Holiness. He discusses two different aspects of God's Holiness, His majestic holiness and pure holiness. Click here for Rabbi Jerry's notes.

Rabbi Glenn warns followers of Messiah against the dangerous tendency to slip into complacency and "spiritual auto-pilot" following major victories. To avoid the disastrous consequences of a lowered guard, Scripture urges us to intentionally remain vigilant by redoubling our spiritual disciplines and setting new, faith-driven goals.

Rabbi Jerry contrasts the world’s shallow pursuit of material wealth, with the true, abundant life offered by Messiah Yeshua, the Good Shepherd. He discusses how lasting peace, joy, and spiritual fulfillment are found only through faith in Messiah Yeshua's sacrifice and resurrection.

Shemini, contrasts the joyous revelation of God's glory during the priests' ordination with the severe consequences of disregarding His divine instructions. Rabbi Glenn highlights the tragic fate of Nadav and Avihu, who offered unauthorized "strange fire" and were struck dead, illustrating the profound peril of approaching infinite holiness with self-willed religion. Shemini urges Believers to balance their deep love for the Lord with strict obedience, warning that true worship must always be conducted with profound reverence and awe.

Rabbi Glenn discusses the Land of Israel and how it was permanently given by God to the Jewish people through an everlasting covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He argues against "Replacement Theology," claiming instead that biblical prophecy foretells a physical return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland, which will then be followed by a spiritual restoration through the Messiah. Click here for Rabbi Glenn's notes.

Rabbi Loren shares a message about Passover. Just as the Jewish people during the first Passover required the lamb's blood for deliverance and its meat for physical sustenance, Believers today need God's full provision of both salvation and spiritual strength. While believing in Yeshua's sacrifice secures eternal salvation, Believers must recognize that this decision is only the beginning of a challenging journey. To successfully endure this path, believers must continually "feed" on their spiritual Passover Lamb through daily prayer, reading the Word, living in the Spirit, sharing their faith, and staying deeply connected to their community.

Rabbi Jerry shares a message about Passover. He discusses how the historical Passover demonstrates that genuine faith requires more than intellectual belief; it demands that we obediently trust in God's promises. Today, we face a similar need, requiring us to apply the blood of the ultimate Passover Lamb, Messiah Yeshua, to the doors of our hearts. During this holiday season, Believers are encouraged to practice self-examination and rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal and remove sin, leading to true spiritual transformation and redemption.

Rabbi Jerry shares how Parasha Tzav details the meticulous procedures for the five types of biblical offerings and the solemn ordination of the priesthood. Although Believers today no longer perform these animal sacrifices, we can see how we must still seek holiness and atonement exclusively on God's terms, a requirement now fulfilled through the sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua. Furthermore, the extensive details of these commandments remind us that serving the Lord is not a casual endeavor, challenging us to give God our primary devotion and ensure the fire of our spiritual zeal continues to burn brightly.

This week Rabbi Jerry addresses the crucial issue of Antisemitism. He focuses on biblical examples of antisemitism,. He then discusses how they are motivated not just by hatred of people, but the Lord Himself. Finally, he discusses how this hatred is motivated spiritually by the hatred of Satan. Rabbi Jerry's Notes.

In the second part of 2 Peter 3, the Apostle Peter emphasizes that the perceived delay in Messiah Yeshua’s return is actually a profound demonstration of God's patience, allowing more time for people to hear the gospel and be saved. He also validates the divine authority of Rabbi Paul's writings while warning believers to remain vigilant against false teachers who twist Scripture, urging them instead to continuously grow in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior.

Parasha Vayikra details the specific instructions for various biblical offerings, emphasizing God's strict holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of atonement. Ultimately, these ancient sacrificial laws hold deep spiritual significance, serving to foreshadow the perfect, unblemished sacrifice and ultimate atoning work of Messiah Yeshua.

This week Rabbi Jerry explores the concept of God's triunity by examining evidence of the Trinity within the New Testament. He explains how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are distinct yet unified. He then discusses how our lives are affected by God's Triunity.Rabbi Jerry's Notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-zaurZNLYpBd7-7F1x1_dVp4Vm_CyD7o/view

Rabbi Loren begins 2 Peter 3 which warns believers about scoffers who deny the promised return of Yeshua . The fact Messiah Yeshua has not returned yet is a reflection of God's merciful patience, granting humanity time to repent before the current universe is completely destroyed in judgment. In light of this truth, Believers should strive to live holy, pure, and peaceful lives as they eagerly anticipate the promised new heavens and new earth.

The double Torah portion Vayakhel and Pekudei details the joyful, obedient assembly and precise accounting of the Tabernacle's physical construction by skilled artisans. These passages teach us the importance of serving the Lord with a willing heart, acting with integrity, and carefully following His specifications in every area of our daily lives. Ultimately, this magnificent earthly structure served as a temporary shadow of heavenly realities, pointing toward the eternal hope and direct access to God secured through the sacrifice of the Messiah.

This week Rabbi Jerry explores the concept of God's Triunity in the Tanakh. He discusses the Tanakh's foundation in monotheism while examining how original Hebrew grammar reveals a unified plurality. By looking closely at specific Old Testament passages, we see clear attributes of absolute deity applied to both the prophesied Messiah and the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, understanding this perfect relational harmony within the Godhead provides a profound model for our own spiritual growth and connection with others.Rabbi Jerry's Notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jrXDf_XJTLaT5JvzrnJfDBQ1zDW5SaTG/view

Drawing from the profound warnings in 2 Peter, Rabbi Loren teaches on the destructive nature of false teachers who use arrogance, greed, and twisted desires to lead believers astray.

Pastor Wade explores the double Torah portions of T'tzaveh and Kee Tisa, contrasting God's beautiful design for a holy, ordered relationship with the reality of human frailty seen in the Golden Calf rebellion. He highlights the critical role of faithful leadership by comparing Aaron's failure to stand firm with Moses' steadfast intercession for the Israelites. Despite our profound failures, God's enduring mercy and grace are powerful enough to restore a broken covenant.

This week Rabbi Jerry begins his discussion of the Trinity. He defines God's Triunity and discusses several historical heresies. Finally, he shares how a three-note musical chord is a great metaphor to better understand how the three persons can exist in perfect harmony without losing their distinctiveness.

Rabbi Jerry continues to talk about God's power as it relates to suffering. He focuses on 1 Kings 19 and a pivotal moment in the life of Elijah.

Rabbi Loren continues in 2 Peter and discusses the dangers of false teachers.

Roman shares his thoughts on this important parasha from Exodus.

This week Rabbi Jerry discusses how God's Omnipotence empowers His Community.

This week Rabbi Loren concludes his study of 2 Peter 1, focusing on the reliability of the prophetic word as a foundation for faith. He explains how the "Morning Star" serves as a metaphor for Messiah Yeshua, whose first coming signals the dawn of God's Kingdom even as we await the full day of His return. The teaching highlights how the Old Testament prophets provided a "lamp shining in a dark place," pointing unmistakably to Yeshua through both direct prophecies and typological shadows found throughout the Torah and the Prophets.

This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1–24:18), which follows the Ten Commandments with a series of "judgments" or civil and criminal laws. These ordinances provide practical guidelines for daily life in ancient Israel, covering the treatment of servants, personal injury cases, property rights, and judicial integrity. The portion also outlines the three major pilgrimage festivals and concludes with the Israelites affirming the covenant by proclaiming, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do."

In this Bible study, Rabbi Jerry explores the attribute of God’s omnipotence, defining the Lord as infinite, boundless, and limitless in His power to accomplish His will. The teaching contrasts human weakness with God's sovereignty, citing scriptures like Mark 10:27 to show that while things may be impossible for man, all things are possible with God. Finally, the message highlights how God’s power is most clearly demonstrated through the life and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua, offering hope and transformation to believers.

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Messiah Yeshua. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.That’s where we left off. We begin with verse 10: So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Messiah Yeshua.Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. God has called us. God’s call is His invitation for sinners to be saved, forgiven, to be with Him, to live forever with Him. When we hear the Good News about Messiah, and believe it, we accept His invitation and are saved. [...]Source

Our parasha this Shabbat, Yitro (named after Moses’ father-in-law), spans Exodus 18-20, and is among the most significant in all the Torah, describing Israel’s encounter with God at Mt. Sinai, and receiving the Ten Commandments. [...]Source

Rabbi Jerry continues his series in God's attributes with God's Omniscience and how God's complete knowledge brings us comfort. Rabbi Jerry's Notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SoGDadhkUrR2TCAC3s142TLb0cLi3uzL/viewSource

This week’s parasha is entitled, B’shalach, which means “when he sent” and covers Exodus 13:17 – 17:16.  When he sent refers to pharaoh letting the Israelis depart from Egypt after the 10th plague, the death of the firstborn. After their release, the Lord does not lead the Israelis in a direct route towards their final […] Source

This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Messiah Yeshua. I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Messiah Yeshua, our God and Savior. May God give you more and more grace and peace […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his series through the attributes of God with a discussion of God’s Transcendence & Immanence. He discusses how God’s otherness and closeness to us comes together to create a correct view of who He is. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

We’re continuing with the second letter that Peter wrote. Peter’s first letter, written with the help of Silas, was addressed to Messianic Jews living in the Diaspora, outside of Israel, in ancient Asia Minor – present day Turkey. This letter is written to a more general audience – to all believers everywhere. It’s written by […] Source

This week’s Parasha is entitled Bo, which means “Go,” and covers Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 In the previous parasha, we saw the first seven plagues unleashed on Egypt. In chapter 10, the Lord commands Moses to go before Pharaoh to continue to demonstrate Adonai’s superiority over the false gods of Egypt. Moses was instructed to […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches on the infinite nature of God through His omnipresence and immensity. He also discusses how God’s nearness reminds us that we are never hidden from His sight and can access His comforting presence anywhere and at any time. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s Notes. Watch Below:   Source

This week David Brickner shares a message from the life of Gideon. Source

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Vaiera, meaning “And I appeared.” Adonai redeemed His people by manifesting His power to Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and their gods. He alone is the one true and living God. Chapter six opens with a discouraged Moses. He had delivered God’s message to Pharaoh, and the result was an increase […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his series on God’s attributes with a discussion of God’s infinite nature in relation to Time. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

Shabbat Shalom. This morning, I would like to start with a story, a true story you may have heard before… In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the […] Source

Our Torah reading this Shabbat bears the same name as the book it introduces: Shemot meaning ‘names’, since it begins with a recitation of the names of Jacob’s 12 sons, who, with their father and their families, had settled in Egypt after being reunited with Joseph. The English name for the book, Exodus, is borrowed […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his series on God’s attributes with a discussion of God’s infinite nature. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes.   Source