Month: January 2021
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Gematria of Amalek: 240. Mockery, Insecurity, Self-Doubt
In this week’s Bible portion (“Beshalach,” meaning “when you are sent”), God sent the Jews out of slavery in Egypt, took them through the sea unharmed, and fed them in the unforgiving desert. Soon enough they are confronted by the enemy Amalek. Exodus 17:8: “וַיָּבֹ֖א עֲמָלֵ֑ק וַיִּלָּ֥חֶם עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בִּרְפִידִֽם” “Amalek came and fought with Israel in…
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The Army Of Egypt Is Dead
We hear a lot about faith and how important it is. But faith is not required for God to do His work. In fact, sometimes faith is impossible, because the totality of rampant injustice is just too great. It is in those times, specifically, that God gives us “open miracles.” They are a way of…
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Gematria 113: On Sacrifice
Today, January 23, 2021, we read the Bible portion named “Bo” (“Go”). The portion covers the immediate period of time before the Jewish people departed from slavery in Egypt—negotiation with Pharoah as well as preparation. Rabbi Akiva Belk notes the Gematria 113 in this portion as we encounter a word that looks like this in Hebrew: ויחזק…
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To Neutralize The Pagan Energy
Before the Jewish people can leave Egypt, God commands each and every one of them (Exodus 12:3) to obtain a sheep “without blemish” (Verse 5). The people are specifically told that they shall “keep watch over it” (Verse 6) for days, until they finally slaughter the lamb, eat it, and smear the blood on their doorposts (Verses…
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Exodus: Slaves, Trapped By False Speech
Today is January 9, 2021 (Hebrew date 25 Tevet 5781). This week in synagogue we read the Bible portion called “Shemot”, meaning “names,” located in Exodus 1:1-6:1. For the supplemental reading: Ashkenazim read Isaiah 27:6 – 28:13; 29:22 – 29:23; Sephardim read Jeremiah 1:1 – 2:3. (Source: HebCal.com). This week’s Bible portion has a lot…
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Parshas Vayechi, the Messiah, and the Great Awakening
Starting again. This week’s Bible portion is Vayechi, meaning “and he lived.”The primary reading is Genesis 47:28–50:26.chabad.org/parshah/articl… The supplemental reading is I Kings 2:1 – 2:12. This Bible portion tells us that:* Jacob lived 17 years in Egypt before he passed.* He desired to tell his children the End of Days but was prevented.* He…
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