Vayetze - Day #1

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out  

Torah Portion: Genesis 28:10-32:3

Genesis 28:10–22

29:10 Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 He dreamed and saw a stairway set upon the earth, and its top reached to heaven. Behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 Behold, Hashem stood above it, and said, “I am Hashem, the Elohim of Abraham your father, and the Elohim of Isaac. I will give the land you lie on to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your offspring, all the families of the earth will be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken of to you.”

16 Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely Hashem is in this place, and I didn’t know it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome this place is! This is none other than Elohim’s house, and this is the gate of heaven.”

18 Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on its top. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If Elohim will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, and Hashem will be my Elohim, 22 then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be Elohim’s house. Of all that you will give me, I will surely give a tenth to you.”

Today’s Meditation: 

In verse 16, “Hashem is in this place!” It was clear to Jacob that, because of his extraordinary and blessed dream, Hashem must be in the place where he had it (Bethel). I wonder if his sense of Hashem’s presence in that place was different than in other areas. It reminds me of the times in my life when I sensed G-d's presence. Where it felt so intensely peaceful and wonderful, and where I could hear His voice so clearly. 

For me, such a place has been the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem. It’s sometimes called the “Prayer Wall”. Every time I have visited that wall, the presence of Hashem was strong. In prayers, there I felt like He would show me extraordinary things. I kept a journal and wrote everything down. Has there ever been a place, space, or time that you felt the presence of Hashem? What was it like?

**Sages believe the place where Jacob had his dream was actually the same place where the Temple was (now the Temple Mount). That is logical, since the ladder reaching to heaven was in that place.

Today’s Challenge: 

Take some time out today to sit and listen to Hashem. Pray and ask Him to show Himself to you in a special way. Hear what He has to tell you. Write it down. Believe Him.

Toldot - Day #1

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations  

Torah Portion: Genesis 25:19-28:9

Genesis 25:19–26:5

25:19 This is the history of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac. 20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife. 21 Isaac entreated Hashem for his wife, because she was barren. Hashem was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her. She said, “If it is like this, why do I live?” She went to inquire of Hashem. 23 Hashem said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb.

Two people will be separated from your body.

Some people will be stronger than others.

The elder will serve the younger.”

24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau. 26 After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

27 The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. 28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Jacob boiled stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. 30 Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with some of that red stew, for I am famished.” Therefore, his name was called Edom.

31 Jacob said, “First, sell me your birthright.”

32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?”

33 Jacob said, “Swear to me first.”

He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.

26 There was a famine in the land, in addition to the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, to Gerar. 2 Hashem appeared to him, and said, “Don’t go down into Egypt. Live in the land I will tell you about. 3 Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and will give all these lands to your offspring. In your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

Today’s Meditations: 

In the last few verses of today’s reading, we see Hashem promising to Isaac the land (Israel) and the people. And in the very last verse, He explains this because Abraham followed “Hashem’s commandments, statutes and laws.” You may wonder, like I did, how this could be. The Law has not yet been given on Mt. Sinai. 

But maybe it has. The Law is eternal. It has always been and will always be. So, it was given to man beginning with Adam. Maybe not in its entirety, but progressively. Remember, Abel sacrificed an animal. So did others. There were also clean and unclean animals entering the ark. We see many glimpses of the Law up to this point.  If the Law is eternal, we need to be following it to the best of our ability. We need to be seeking Hashem with our whole heart, soul and strength.

Today’s Challenge: 

We are just beginning to learn about the Law, the Commandments of Hashem. Today, I challenge you to consider whether you are obligated to follow the Commandments. And I am not just talking about the Ten Commandments, but ALL of them. Of course, there are some we cannot follow today, like those regarding the Temple or priestly duties. Think and pray about this. As we continue to read the Torah this year, we gain a deeper understanding of the Law. It would be good if, in your heart, it is settled whether the Commandments are for you or not.

Chayei Sarah - Day #1

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah   

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Genesis 23:1–16

23 Sarah lived 127 years. This was the length of Sarah’s life. 2 Sarah died in Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron), in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 3 Abraham rose up from before his death and spoke to the children of Heth, saying, 4 “I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”

5 The children of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6 “Hear us, my lord. You are a prince of Elohim among us. Bury your dead in the best of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb. Bury your dead.”

7 Abraham rose up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, to the children of Heth. 8 He talked with them, saying, “If you agree that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, 9 that he may sell me the cave of Machpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field. For the full price, let him sell it to me among you as a possession for a burial place.”

10 Now Ephron was sitting in the middle of the children of Heth. Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the children of Heth, even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying, 11 “No, my lord, hear me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the children of my people, I give it to you. Bury your dead.”

12 Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land. 13 He spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, “But if you will, please hear me. I will give the price of the field. Take it from me, and I will bury my dead there.”

14 Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15 “My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore, bury your dead.”

16 Abraham listened to Ephron. Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the children of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current merchants’ standard.

Today’s Meditation:

It’s all about doing what is right. When Sarah dies, Abraham is still a foreigner in the land of Israel. He seeks out a place to bury her, and Ephron offers to give him a burial site for free. They have this curious dialogue about paying for it. Ephron wants to give it to Abraham, but Abraham wants to pay for it. And eventually he does. He does the right and honorable thing. I imagine he also does not wish to owe Ephron for any favors. This is wise.

Could this have happened because Ephron was not a part of Abraham’s people? That Ephron was actually a stranger to Abraham? The lesson to be learned may be that it is better to do what is right and not accept a gift without strings from someone you do not know. Ultimately, it may prove to be advantageous.

Today’s Challenge:

There are times when it is good and right to accept gifts from others. There are also times when you should not. The challenge today is to prepare yourself for the next time a stranger offers you a free gift. Take some time to consider the actual cost. And think about this story. You will find the correct answer.

Vayeira - Day #1

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared  

Torah Portion: Genesis 18:1-22:24

Genesis 18:1–14    

18 Hashem appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth, 3 and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant. 4 Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 I will get a piece of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that, you may go your way, now that you have come to your servant.”

They said, “Very well, do as you have said.”

6 Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three seahs of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it. 8 He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate.

9 They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?”

He said, “There, in the tent.”

10 He said, “I will certainly return to you at about this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

13 Hashem said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child when I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for Hashem? At the set time, I will return to you, when the season comes around, and Sarah will have a son.”   

Today’s Meditation:

Sarah laughed at what Hashem had said about her getting pregnant. This was unbelievable to her. Her laugh was all about disbelief and doubt. Nevertheless, what Hashem said came true. As impossible as it seemed. 

Have you ever asked Hashem for the impossible? Maybe you never laughed at Hashem, but perhaps you laughed at yourself for asking Him. Only to find out He answered your prayer. When that happens to me, it builds my faith to heights I never thought possible. What a faithful and wonderful Elohim we serve.

Today’s Challenge:

Today, I challenge you to pray for the impossible prayer. Look at something in your life that only Hashem could change. Now take a moment to ask Him. Don’t laugh at the doubts you have, but look at how Hashem fulfilled Sarah’s request and believe He can do the same for you. Pray now, do not delay.

Lech-Lecha - Day #1

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!  

Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1-17:27

Genesis 12:1–13  

12 Now Hashem said to Abram, “Leave your country, and your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

4 So Abram went, as Hashem had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they went to go into the land of Canaan. They entered into the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time, Canaanites were in the land.

7 Hashem appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.”

He built an altar there to Hashem, who had appeared to him. 8 He left from there to go to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east. There, he built an altar to Hashem and called on Hashem’s name. 9 Abram traveled, still going on toward the South.

10 There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he had come near to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai, his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to look at. 12 It will happen that when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me, but they will save you alive. 13 Please say that you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that my soul may live because of you.”

Today’s Meditation:

How strong and confident Abram must have been in hearing the voice of Hashem. Can you imagine uprooting your whole family and taking them to an occupied land? And then to be told that Hashem would make you into a great nation. One would have to be absolutely sure that they were hearing from Hashem. Abram must have been in a very close relationship with Hashem. Could we have the same type of relationship?

Today’s Challenge: 

Do you hear Hashem’s voice clearly in your life? A while ago, my husband and I were introduced to something called “listening prayer.” We would take a prayer request to Hashem by sitting together, getting quiet, asking Him a question, and then listening to what He had to say. It was interesting because we would often hear the same thing from Hashem. 

I challenge you today to do some “listening prayer”. All you have to do is find a quiet space, ask your question or request of Hashem, and quiet yourself to listen to Him. Usually, it’s the first thing that comes into your mind. It could be Scripture, a “yes”, “no”, or “wait”, or it could actually be some unexpected action you are to take. Try it. You will be amazed. You will learn to listen to Hashem just like Abram did.