Torah Portions
For more than two thousand years, the entire Jewish community all around the world has focused on the same part of the Scriptures each week called (in English) the Torah portion. Except during Hebraic holy days, the weekly Torah portion is featured in the synagogue (house of study) every Shabbat.
Typically, the Torah is divided into 54 portions so that the Torah is entirely cycled through once each year. It is a long-standing and fascinating tradition that has kept the entire Israelite community unified in a special way, wherever they might be, for thousands of years.
There is also a Triennial reading cycle which divides the Torah into thirds, and then into smaller portions so that cycling through the entire Torah requires three consecutive years. Instituted during the 19th century, the triennial cycle allows more in-depth focus on smaller sections of Scripture than the traditional annual cycle.
Traditionally, in many synagogues, a Torah scroll is ceremonially removed from the ark (a dedicated cabinet) and is opened to the weekly portion from which a segment is read. At ARIEL, the ark is opened with a traditional Torah blessing, but not often removed, and a selected highlight of the weekly portion is read from an English translation. Afterwards, the ark containing the Torah is respectfully closed as another traditional blessing is said.
The Torah portions at ARIEL are also recorded each week and posted here online. Enjoy!
Children of Abraham 5 – Under the Law
R. Paul Falk looks at the phrase often translated “under the law” and shows how the correct understanding of this phrase reconciles completely with being “saved by grace,” the doctrine of circumcision, and what it means to be free with the liberty that Messiah’s death brought about.
The Song, The Story of Israel (Ha’azinu)
Patrick Shannon shares insights from the song about the future of Israel that Moses was commanded to teach the people before he died. The song constitutes most of the chapter of Deuteronomy 32, and it actually refers to every one of us today.
Vayelek 2019
Rick Ortiz shares an outline of the Torah portion, Vayelek, and expounds on the concept of YHVH telling us about our future. Throughout the Scriptures, He issues warnings and specific details about what we will do, and yet gives us hope for a positive outcome.
HyperFocusing on YHVH (Nitzavim)
Chris Shannon starts the Torah portion, Nitzavim, with a quick social experiment that reveals how we notice and ignore certain priorities based on our focus. This principle applies in Deuteronomy where Israel is commanded to be “Hyperfocused on YHVH.”
Spirit 12 – His Presence (Ki Tavo)
R. Paul Falk starts with the Torah portion, Ki Tavo, and links to Psalm 139:7 about the spirit and presence, and he shows how the story of Jonah illustrates global truths about our Father’s presence.
Royal Kindness (Ki Tetze)
Patrick Shannon shares a section from Deuteronomy 22 that seems to have a common thread of unusual kindness which is being taught to us but is also an example of how our Father is with us, and how we are to be in the lives of others.
Click the image below to watch online.
The Spirit 8 – Dwelling in Us
R. Paul Falk continues with The Spirit series taking a in-depth look at the concept of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
After clicking the PLAY button below, click here to follow along with the slides, or watch the entire service online.
FEAR (Devarim)
Patrick Shannon analyzes the first few chapters of Deuteronomy as a recounting of events that occurred as a result of the people’s fear, which leads to other ramifications, even in our lives today.
After clicking the PLAY button below, click here to follow along with the slides, or watch the entire service online.
Mattot-Massei 2019
Rick Ortiz outlines the Torah portion and shares important lessons such as why it is important to remember the journey, and what we can learn from the daughters of Zelophehad.
After clicking the PLAY button below, you can click here to follow along with the slides, or watch the entire service online.
Guarding Your Heart (Pinchas)
Chris Shannon shows how the people were seduced into the incident at Baal Peor by looking through the lens of Proverbs 7 about falling to an adulteress and interpreting it in possible modern phraseology.
After clicking the PLAY button below, click here to follow along with the slides, or watch the entire service online.
