Roots of Faith

This week, Roots of Faith launched its first Live Webcast.  This is something that we plan to do every Sabbath.  Join in each Saturday morning at 10:30 Central time for a unique teaching experience. We hope to create a sort of cyber synagogue - a community of faith for any and all who wish to hear!

This week’s lesson is the first of seven Sabbaths of Consolation following the season of rebuke that led up to the 9th of Av.

The name of this Sabbath, Nachamu comes from the opening words of what Biblical Scholars call Deutero-Isaiah.  The language of Isaiah 40 and beyond, is so different that it is believed to have been written by a different author than chapters 1-39. Isaiah 40 opens with the words, Nachamu, Nachamu ami, yomar Eloheichem - Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, says your God.

These chapters are written much like the script to an ancient play.  It is complete with “scenes” and “Parts”. 

One such character is “the Voice”. According to Isaiah 40:3, this voice “is crying” in the wilderness.  The gospel story begins by referring to this very passage (see Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:2 and Luke 3:4).

To listen to the voice is the goal (see Isaiah 30:18-21).

Deuteronomy contains some 80 references to one or another form of the Hebrew verb Shema, which means to hear.

This Torah portion contains 24 of those references and so one of the main points of this week’s lesson is to Listen.

If one listens closely to this Torah portion, here are some things that you will hear:

• A recount of the 10 commandments
• what we have to do for things to “go well for us”
• The greatest commandment
• Why God chose Israel

Listen to the lesson and let us know what you think by voting on the site.

To learn more about the weekly Saturday Morning Live - go to our web site! (www.rootsoffaith.org)

 

 Shabbat Nachuma - Intro [58:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Shabbat Nachamu - Reading [56:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download