In this week’s Torah portion, Jacob prepares to meet his brother Esau as he begins his journey home to the land of promise. The one who has struggled from the womb faces his greatest fears as well as his past. He divides his household into two camps and prepares to fulfill the command to go home. On his way, he faces the struggle of his life with a mysterious opponent. Who is this with whom he wrestles? Ross shows that the events described in this week’s reading point beyond the historical to a prophetic glimpse of Israel’s future return to the land. He takes the listener through several prophetic texts that shed light on what is to come. You will not want to miss this class.

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Mesorah of Mark in review

In this Torah Focus class we reviewed the components of the “Mesorah” of Mark.

Why do we call the class or “MESORAH” of Mark?

What is Mesorah?

Is Mark the only Mesorah?

Are the other “Gospels” Mesorah?

What about the Hebrew word B’sorah (Besorah)?

How does Mark and the the other “Gospels relate to the Torah?

How does Mark and the other “Gospels” relate to the Oral Torah?

These questions and more…

Download study materials at Heshvan 29, 5772

Attention Arba4 listeners. It may necessary to click Torah Focus to download files and materials.

Shalom

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This week, Ross formally announces the long awaited Roots of Faith Tour to the Holy Land. In his teaching today he began to teach on the subject of the return of Israel to the land promised to the Children of Israel. Basing his teaching on the famed “Dream of Jacob”, he covers the departure of Jacob from his father’s house to find a wife for himself (Hosea 12:12) and of the subsequent years working for Laban. This week’s lesson is written in such a way to show that the twenty years covered in this reading went by at a fast pace. This is the only Torah Reading with no breaks in the texts (from Genesis 28:10-32:3). With the exception of Benjamin, all of Israel’s sons are born in this portion. The focus of the Dream was to assure Jacob that YHVH would be with him while he was away and that He would be faithful to bring him back to the land. Bringing Jacob home to the promised land is the one thing that YHVH promises to do with “all His heart and soul” (Jeremiah 32:36-41) You will not want to miss this class.

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In this week’s Torah portion, Ross tells the story of the generations of Isaac. He begins by showing that Isaac was unique among the patriarchs in many ways. And yet, while the reading is named for Isaac, it is his wife Rivkah (traditionally known as Rebbecca that is center stage. She is the one in whom YHVH trusts with the information that “the older son will serve the younger.” Ross shows from the texts that there is more to the story than meets the eye. In fact he reveals several important teaching points from this week’s reading that are relevant for us today. He focuses in on the ancient idea of the birthright or the right of the firstborn. This lesson is worth listening to and sharing. Check it out and share it with others.

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By the end of this week’s Torah portion, Sarah, Abraham and Ishmael are all dead. Ross begins with the words of Isaiah 51, where the pursuers of righteousness and those who seek Yehovah are told to look to Abraham and Sarah. What can we learn by looking to the first patriarch and matriarch? After Sarah’s death, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. Ross expounds on the idea expressed throughout this text of “biblical prosperity”. His teaching helps us to understand what is meant by the Hebrew word often translated as prosperity – and it has nothing to do with monetary wealth! When Abraham seeks to purchase a parcel of land from the sons of Cheth, he describes himself as a stranger and a sojourner. Ross covers this in an attempt to illustrate the importance of these words throughout the Bible. You will not want to miss this teaching. Listen and share it with others who love the Bible.

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Mesorah of Mark 118

The Mesorah of Mark looks at the Shema as the prayer that Yeshua prayed in the Garden on the eve of his death. We note the breaks in the Shema and the times Yeshua interacted with his talmidim. We also look at the word “Shema” and its implications.

Class materials are located at Heshvan 08,5772

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In this week’s Torah reading, we cover several well known stories. Abraham is visited by three mysterious guests, one of whom is called YHVH. We read of the story of Sodom. What was the sin of Sodom? We read the story of Lot and of two sons born to him. We read of the birth of Isaac, the sending away of Hagar, Abraham’s Egyptian wife and of a final test for Abraham. Ross touches on each of these stories and reveals some common threads and draws out some points that many have missed in their reading of these stories. You will not want to miss this teaching.

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Rosh Chodesh Heshvan 5772

In this Torah Focus class we look at Rosh Chodesh Heshvan. Heshvan is often called “MarHeshvan”.

What does that title imply?

Why is it used?

What is Heshvan really about?

What practice if any should we be involved in during this month?

These questions and more…

Attention Arba4 listeners. It may necessary to click  Torah Focus for download at Torah Focus

Study materials at Heshvan 01, 5772

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In this week’s lesson, Ross begins to explore the life of Abram – one who is called the “friend of God”. What was it about Abram that caused YHVH to chose him? From this point on in our journey through the Torah, the Biblical plan shifts from a universal plan to the story of a single man and his “seed”. What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the “seed of Abraham?” Does this point to a single figure or to a group? Isaiah tells us to look to Abraham. What will we see when we look to him? What are the promises to Abraham? The call begins with a charge to Abram to “walk for yourself.” What does this imply? You will not want to miss this class as it serves as a foundation for the upcoming Patriarchal narratives.

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Mesorah of Mark 116-117

G-d’s loving-kindness and the Gentile. This class explores the loving-kindness of G-d’s towards the Gentile. It look at the reason for the Diaspora and its ramifications on the world.

Class Materials at Tishri 24, 5772

Attention Arba4 listeners. It may necessary to click Torah Focus to download files and materials.

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