Shows
Footsteps of the MessiahJeremiah, Apostle to & for Am Israel: Haftarah Matot-Ma'asei-5783Parashat Matot Ma-asei is set for this Shabbat of the week of July 14-15, 2023, or Tammuz 26 5783. The parasha is a double parasha and the last one for the book of Numbers/Bamidbar. Matot means Tribes and is in Numbers 30:2. The name of the second parasha is Ma-sei meaning Journeys, & appears in Numbers 33:1. The haftarah this week is the second in a series of three haftarot that pertain to the three weeks of negativity, aka, the three weeks of admonition or b'Ivrit, Bein HaMetzarim. Specifically the three weeks are tied to an important pair of dates, bookends if you will...
2023-09-1435 min
Footsteps of the MessiahKumi Ori! Haftarat Ki Tavo 5783Welcome to this weeks episode of FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, for the week of Elul 10 to 16, with Shabbat falling of course on the 16th, just three full weeks from the beginning of this week or two more Shabbats away from ....any guesses...I'm sure you know by know...ROSH HASHANAH!
So this week we will be reading parashat Ki Tavo. This parasha is 122 verses going from Devarim 26:1 to chapter 29: 8. KI TAVO means "When you come" and opens with a description of the Bikkurim ceremony and the declaration of the conclusion of tithing. It ends with all of...
2023-09-0440 min
Footsteps of the MessiahThe LEAST Mitzvah-Haftarah Ki Tetze 5783Parashat Ki Tetze is read this week of August 20, 2023 and on the Biblical calendar, it is Elul 9, on Shabbat. In Ki Tetze is containted the highest # of mitzvot out of all 54 Torah parshiyot of the whole entire year! There are 74 Mitzvot. Some of the highlights are the Shtei Nashim, rules for two wives, The Ben Sorer, the stubborn/rebellious son, the hanging of a man on a tree, and the prohibition of taking him down before nightfall...and many other mitzvot. Including, and this is an interesting one, the bird's nest which is considered one of the lightest, or...
2023-08-2546 min
Footsteps of the MessiahAnochi, Anochi..."I" Two Times-Haftarat Shoftim 5783Welcome Chevre to another episode of the Footsteps of The Messiah Podcast! This week is the week of August 13-20, 2023 and it is the week of Rosh Chodesh ELUL. Shabbos falls this week on Elul Bet, or the 2nd as we enter into parashat Shoftim. It is the only parasha to coincide with an actual BOOK of the Bible with the same name. Sefer Shoftim is found right after the book of Yehoshua.
We are exactly four weeks away from Rosh HaShana come Friday or Yom Shishi. This week, Thursday & Friday was Rosh Chodesh Elul. Technically Rosh...
2023-08-201h 01
Footsteps of the MessiahRE'EH! Elul Is On The Way!-Haftarah Re'eh 5783Parashat Re'eh is the 47th parasha of the Torah and this year is read the week of August 6th through the 12th and on Shabbat of Av 25.
This will also be the last Shabbat where the monthly blessing is recited as we do NOT recite it in the month of Elul to make the approaching
holiday of Rosh HaShana, and maybe it is because Tishri has its own pomp and circumstance and majesty! Re'eh means See, as in the imperative, and it begins in Devarim 11:26 and goes to 16:17. It details a series of Torah commandments...
2023-08-1129 min
Footsteps of the MessiahShabbat Nachamu!--Isaiah for The REST of the Year! 5783This week on Footsteps of the Messiah we will cover the haftarah and it's relation to the season. We are in the homestretch of a few things this week, the week of July 23-29, 2023. This portion is usually if not always read the same week that Tisha B'av occurs. So why do I say the homestretch? Well the three weeks of negativity or also called Bein HaMetzarim end on Thursday, Av 9. On Shabbos we begin the SEVEN WEEKS OR HAFTAROT OF CONSOLATION also called SHIVA D'NECHEMTA in Aramaic. From this point, this Shabbat until the end of the year...
2023-07-2929 min
Footsteps of the MessiahSpecial Edition: Shabbat Chazon!-Haftarat Devarim 5783Yishayahu, or Isaiah in English is the book we read from on this special Shabbat, called Shabbat Chazon, because of the first word from Isaiah 1:1. Chazon means "VISION" or "REVELATION". I don't speak about it in the episode but we used the graphic to connect to the BOOK OF REVELATION, when Yeshua returns. So, the parsha itself, Parashat Devarim is read the week of Rosh Chodesh Av, and falls on Av 4 5783, July 22, 2023. This parasha is 105 verses and is the first of the last...meaning it is the first parasha of the last book and is also read right around...
2023-07-2243 min
Footsteps of the MessiahPinchas, Eliyahu & Jeremiah: Heroes in Distress-Haftarat Pinchas 5783Parashat Pinchas this year 5783 or 2023 on the Gregorian calendar is the first shabbat of the three weeks of admonition. Also called Bein HaM'tzarim, between the straits is the literal translation. In this Parashah, it picks up with an incident that actually happened in Last week's parasha, in Numbers 25, where Pinchas skewered two people copulating in the open, a disgusting wanton brazen act that needed expiation. The rabbis discuss this event alone at great length and Pinchas is eventually compared to Eliyahu and the zeal that Eliyah had for HaShem at the altar where he proved HaShem was the one...
2023-07-0950 min
Footsteps of the MessiahMicah HaNavi & The 1 BIG MITZVAH? Haftarah Chukat Balak 5783Micah, HaNavi (the prophet) is the star of this week's haftarah. Parashat Chukat Balak lands on the 2nd week of Tammuz 5783 and we enter into another double portion! It also is one of the six unique Torah portions named after a character. Interestingly enough, it is another pagan non-Israeli character, or Israelite. So Chukat and Balak are read together both in Non Leap years and leap years. And when Shavuot falls on a Thursday-Friday in the diaspora, meaning outside of Israel, we fall behind by one week, whereas Israel treats the Shabbat of Shavuot as a normal Shabbat. A...
2023-07-0939 min
Footsteps of the MessiahMoshe & Samuel-Paradigm Leaders-Haftarat Korach 5783This year Parashat Korach is read the week of Tammuz 5 5783 or June 24 2023. The parasha takes place from Num 16:1-18: 32. The haftarah is from 1 Samuel 11:14 to 12:22. The overview is that Shmuel who is descended from Korah brings Am Israel together for the coronation of Shaul over Israel as King. There are the Hebrew connections that the Chazal found, the Sages linked the Torah parshiyot to the prophets readings. The connection to the prophets portion in first Shmuel connects to the rebels Dathan and Aviram who were arrogant to Moshe and insulted him. It is almost the same verbiage we see...
2023-07-0924 min
Footsteps of the MessiahSpies & Scouts-What's the difference?-Haftarah Shelach 5738PARASHAT SHELACH 5783: This year parashat Shelach also happens to be the announcement of Rosh Chodesh Tamuz and we find ourselves in the 13th chapter of Numbers, just having left Sinai in last week's parasha, Be'ha'alotcha. Parashat Shelach spans from Numbers 13:1 to Numbers 15:41. The 12 Shli'chim or emissaries or "apostles" also called scouts, go to explore the Aretz HaKodesh. They return with excessive supernatural fruit and tell the people it is a land flowing with milk and honey but the positivitiy stops there. They start adding their fear based perceptions of the people and the cities. This does not go well, as...
2023-07-0939 min
Footsteps of the MessiahSamson & The Messiah: Miraculous Births-Haftarah Naso
Years ago our rabbi asked where some story was located in Scripture and someone exclaimed without thinking, "The book of Samson!" Well, as you probably know, there is no "book of Samson" but there is a Book of Judges, or Shoftim, where the story of Samson, Hebrew: Shimshon, can be found. We look at the connection between the Parashat HaShavua, Numbers 4:21-7:89 and this passage in Judges. The parasha is called Naso נשׂא. It means "lift" but in this sense it is "lifting" the heads in order to take a count commanded by HaShem. A total of 8580 Levites from 30 to 50 are...
2023-06-1633 min
Footsteps of the Messiahשׁבועות Shavuot 5783-Lots of Doubles & Pairs! Haftarot for Two DaysSo the two haftarah portions read for this week of Shavuot are from the book of Ezekiel and the day two reading is from Habbakuk. We'll look at a couple of customs, but mainly the haftarah for both days 1 and 2. So if there is a holiday to celebrate in honor of Israel and it's gift to the world, it is SHAVUOT. Israel became G-d's bride and was betrothed at Shavuot. Vows were exchanged, and this is seen in a variation of the vowels in the word Shavout when changed to "Shev-uot", it becomes the word "VOWS" as in Promises...
2023-06-0338 min
Footsteps of the MessiahSo many haftarah options!-Haftarah Tazria Metzora 5783So for Tazria-Metzora, this week's Haftarah falls at a very unique time and it only happens twice this year during the Biblical year and cycle of the Torah readings. The 2nd day of Rosh Chodesh falls on SHABBAT. This year Rosh Chodesh day one or two only falls on Shabbat 2 times, it already happened in Tevet, I believe, and this is the second time it will happen for the year and not again will we have a New Moon occurring on Shabbat. Therefore we discuss the 2 haftarahs that are read depending on whether Tazria and Metzorah are read together...
2023-05-2146 min
Footsteps of the MessiahHaftarah Shemini: The Aron Kodesh, David Melech, Uzzah & Michal-5783So wow! This week's Parasha includes the beginning of the "Kehuna" the Priestly Service, the short-lived careers of Nadav and Avihu, their unique deaths and then the kosher mitzvot and finally the laws/teachings about ritual purity. Incidentally, Kosher and Taharot [purity] are considered "chukim", decrees that are difficult or impossible to completely understand or derive the meaning behind their observance. And these are not obviously connected to the haftarah but offer fascinating study on their own in the parasha. We look at the number 8 and do I really love a good study on numbers! We'll see a connection...
2023-05-0753 min
Footsteps of the MessiahParashat Tzav-What's the Deal with the SMALL MEM?-5783The letter MEM in the word מוֹקְדָ֨ה in this week's parasha, TZAV, in Leviticus 6:2, is diminished when you look at an authentic Torah Scroll and in most publications, that honor the original text. I was not able to recreate or copy and past the diminished MEM here but you can see it if you look up the original text, for instance on Sefaria.org. We look into the letter being small and reasons why, plus why is it small in the word for "pyre" or "hearth" in particular. Find out more about MEM's gematria/numerical value and many connections to other MEM...
2023-05-0732 min
Footsteps of the MessiahWhat's Up With The SHRINKING ALEPH?-Haftarah Vayikra 5783WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THE SMALL ALEF? We cover that and a whole lot more on this edition of Footsteps of the Messiah! Why would Moshe, who wrote the Torah for HaShem, from His mouth to Moshe’s hand, use a small letter here in the very
first word of the very first verse of the entire book? Also how does this translate? What does the word “LEVITICUS” even
mean and why is it used? Who is a priest and who is a Levite? Why does it matter? And what were their jobs? Do all of these things only pertain...
2023-05-0729 min
Footsteps of the MessiahSpecial Edition! Shabbat HaChodesh-Haftarah Vayakhel-Pekudei 5783This is the third of four special Shabbats leading up to Pesach 5783!
Well, actually it happens every year but these four special Shabbats spanning from Adar into Nisan and right up to Pesach, do not ALWAYS coincide with the same Torah and Haftarah portions. We also see a double parashah this year since it is not a "shanah m'uberet" or a "pregnant" year, i.e. a Jewish leap year. These two portions of Vayakhel & Pekudei are split into individual portions in leap years because we have an extra month, Adar Sheni or Adar II.
By the way, in case you...
2023-04-0146 min
Footsteps of the MessiahSpecial Edition! Shabbat Parah-Haftarah Ki Tisa 5783Shabbat Parah includes a special additional reading from Numbers 19 and a substitute haftarah is read from Ezekiel! Normally a passage from 1 Kings 18 is read but when it falls on Shabbat Parah, we read a different haftarah, more in tune with the season and the additional Torah portion from Numbers 19. Find out why and what the connection is to this portion from Ezekiel HaNavi [the prophet] and the prophetic potential and additional future redemption that is connected to Pesach. We also discuss a very interesting passage from Mark 12 about Yeshua's discussion with The Sadducees about the Resurrection. Parallel passages are in...
2023-03-2545 min
Footsteps of the MessiahShabbat Zachor! Special Edition! -Haftarah Tetzaveh 5783What's the deal with Samuel & Saul? Why can they NOT get along??? Does obedience come at the price of doing offerings? Is an offering bad or good or is it something that draws the offerer near to HaShem? What about hearing from HaShem? Should we be doing both? Well, we can't b/c there is no Temple but the sacrifices/offerings of our hearts are super important aren't they?
Learn more about Shmu'el HaNavi and Shaul the first King of Israel and why this special portion appears for Shabbat Zachor in this unique year of 5783 when the normal haftarah is NOT re...
2023-03-1037 min
Footsteps of the MessiahMoshe & Shlomo, G-d's Architects: Haftarah Terumah 5783What would a parashah about the Mishkan/Tabernacle have to do with a passage about King Shlomo/Solomon?
Well, they both built structures commanded...yes chevre, COMMANDED by HaShem...and they followed them perfectly.
How do we know...? The Bible tells us they did and The Almighty, HaKadosh, B"H [Baruch Hu], fulfilled His promises to Moshe, the tribes of Israel in the desert as well as to Shlomo HaMelech and the people of Israel 480 years later!
Also, we don't cover this but both Moshe, in Devarim 18:18 and Shlomo in his stories, are BOTH symbols/pictures/tavni'ot of Yeshua The M...
2023-03-0534 min
Footsteps of the MessiahJeremiah, Judgments & Philemon-Haftarat Mishpatim 5783Mishpatim is kin to the word "shoftim" which is the name of the book of Judges...interestingly the Haftarah WAS from JUDGES just 2 weeks ago in Beshallach. But that's beside the point! We cover the parasha with a brief overview, take a parasha quiz and see how you do with 10 KEY QUESTIONS about PARASHAT MISHPATIM. Then we come to the Haftarah and its interesting connection to the Siege of Jerusalem, the 1st Churban/Destruction of the Temple and how this connects to the New Testament book of Philemon, possibly the shortest book next to 3 John. Join us and may you...
2023-02-2644 min
Footsteps of the MessiahYitro & Isaiah: What's the Connection?-Haftarah Yitro 5783Moshe brings Israel out of Egypt to meet G-d but lo and behold, they run into his father in law and his family. Yitro may have made the most impactful contribution to Israel and its organizational development of any non-Israelite, although the Sages say he converted to belief in The G-d of Israel. This is very believable and Jewish Tradition tells us Yitro went through an experience much like Avraham Avinu, from idolatry to monotheism.
The haftarah connects to the parsha by way of the great and mighty appearance of HaShem to Isaiah, similar to The L-rd's ap...
2023-02-2528 min
Footsteps of the MessiahWaters & Fires-Haftarat Beshallach 5783The Haftarah for Beshallach is Judges/Shoftim 4:4-5:31. It tells about the defeat of a general named Sisera and his Cananite army, and Devorah whose name means bumblebee, incidentally, who sings a prophetic song of triumph.
The main connection to the Torah portion itself is how the Egyptians drowned at the Reed Sea and and the subsequent songs led by Moses and Miriam. May you be blessed and encouraged and please let us hear any feedback, questions or comments at
FootStepsOfTheMessiah@gmail.com. May you be blessed and encouraged chevre!
Romans 10:8-10
2023-02-2518 min
Footsteps of the MessiahAgain with LOCUSTS in Egypt?!? Haftarah Bo 5783The haftarah and Torah portion are connected b/c Egypt again is being punished and HaShem calls for the release of captives out of Egypt...AGAIN!
The final three plagues of ten appear in Parashat Bo and similarly we see the locusts appear but in the form of people: the Babylonian Army, coming against Egypt, who Israel had tried to rely on for defense, but they did not come through for Israel. Had they fulfilled their promise, Egypt may have looked like a very different nation both in the past and also in the p...
2023-02-1341 min
Footsteps of the MessiahHow does Ezekiel relate to the Exodus? Haftarah Va'era 5783The plagues! The impending departure from Egypt! Pharaoh and The Nile! What does it all have to do with the coming redemption? And why would Ezekiel be speaking about Pharaoh hundreds of years after the Exodus? And how does this prophesy the Messianic Redemption? And what about the mysterious, marvelous past and future HAIL?!? All these questions will be answered my friends in this episode! Please like and share! And send comments questions or ideas to FootStepsOfThe Messiah@gmail.com
2023-02-0443 min
Footsteps of the MessiahMessianic Exile & Redemption: Haftarah Shemot 5783As we enter the book of Shemot/Exodus, we see Israel "coming" into the land but it's a land of EXILE...NOT a land of promise...or promises PLURAL, like the promises to the Patriarchs. But here comes the redeemer, many decades later to "draw them out" just as he was drawn out of the Nile. Hear a brief survey of Parashat Shemot and see why the sages chose the portion from Isaiah for the Haftarah this week. PLUS, as we continue through this year of analysis of the Haftarot, discover why it was chosen and how it preaches MES...
2023-02-0146 min
Footsteps of the MessiahWhat's the deal with all the death?-Haftarah Vayechi 5783Ya'akov, aka ISRAEL is dying at his bed and beside him are the 12 sons and his grandsons. He switches the blessings on his grandsons like he switched birthrights and blessings with his brother Esav and elevates his grandsons to full tribes under him, essentially displacing Yosef. Connected to this in the Prophets/Nevi'im portion, the haftarah, is the death of David Melech, but NOT before he passes on commands and wisdom and explanations to Shlomo, his son who was called to succeed him.
We find out about prophetic insights into David's reign from Hevron for 7 years and th...
2023-01-2038 min
Footsteps of the MessiahWhat's the deal with 2 Messiahs?-Haftarah Vayigash Tevet 5783This is a speedier version of our year of focus on the haftarah of the week. Sorry we're a bit late but we're getting caught up! So Joseph and Yehudah have a stand off but we really see how Ezekiel foretells the coming of both Messiahs, or both Messianic comings by one man, Yeshua. Listen to the significance of the phrase "Son of Man" and why Yeshua referred to himself as that. Shalom! Thanks for your support and listening!
2023-01-1220 min
Footsteps of the MessiahShabbat Chanukah-Haftarah Miketz-"At the end..."Miketz is an interesting portion as it sometimes falls during Chanukah and if so, as it did this year, 5783/2022, we read from Zechariah 2:14-4:7. We read about Yehoshua, the high priest, but he is also given a crown and is possibly the one to whom the Angel of the L-rd refers to as "The Branch"! This is a code word for the Messiah Himself! What's so fascinating is that our Messiah is named "Yeshua" which is a derivative of "Yehoshua", which very well could mean that this is a prophecy, and possibly the only one I've ever found, that the...
2023-01-1139 min
Footsteps of the MessiahZOT CHANUKAH! NIGHT 8 5783So what's the deal with the 8th night? Why is it special? Why is tonight NOT LIKE ALL OTHER NIGHTS??? So in addition to extra "fire power" we have an infusion of extra spiritual energy and with all 8 lights burning, the "spiritual ignition" of extra prayer potency and an auspicious time, a time for this one day that is unique and presents favorable circumstances, showing signs of a favorable outcome! How??? Come listen and let us learn together!
2022-12-2714 min
Footsteps of the MessiahChanukah Basics and MORE! Night 7, 5783So what kind of menorah or Chanukiah can you use? What is the background of the heroes of the story?
How does the calendar work? How many candles do we light and why does it matter?
Learn the answers to these and other questions on Chanukah Night 7! Chag Hanukah Sameach!
2022-12-2619 min
Footsteps of the MessiahYehudit Saves The Day! Chanukah Night 6, 5783 [part 3]How does Yehudit bring about the victory and how does HaKadosh Barukh Hu make His mighty hand known? Tune in and see for this final episode of the 3 part series heralding Yehudit, one of the finest names in Jewish History, yet rarely spoken of.
2022-12-2510 min
Footsteps of the MessiahYehudit Meets Holofernes-Chanukah Night 5-5783 [part 2]What happens to Yehudit when she attempts to go to the Syrian Greek camp and seduce Holofernes? It is alot of intrigue, lies and deception, but is she staying faithful to her mission? Find out more in this follow up episode to yesterday's cliffhanger!
2022-12-2511 min
Footsteps of the MessiahYehudit, Daughter of Yochanan Hasmoneh-Channukah Night 4, 5783 [part 1]Part 1 of this famous story shows the bravery of one Jewish woman in a mysterious town whose identity is uncertain. Learn the famous story of this one woman saved a city during the Maccabean revolt against the Syrian Greeks!
2022-12-2511 min
Footsteps of the MessiahWhat's the Deal With the Blessings & Why? Channukah Night 3, 5783Continuing our mini-series for 8 nights of Chanukah, we cover the three major blessings and more about the details of the Chanukah story and how we ended up with this amazing holiday and the military history.
2022-12-2323 min
Footsteps of the MessiahChanukah Night 2, 5783! Al HaNisim!What is this prayer "AL HA NISIM"? What does that mean and where does it come from? And what is read for Chanukah when Chanukah doesn't exactly show up in the Bible, especially in the Hebrew Bible? We'll look at the Torah portion for Day two and the translation of Al HaNisim.
2022-12-2123 min
Footsteps of the MessiahChanukkah Night One! 5783/2022So what do you know about Hanukah? Well what does it mean, what is some of the more obscure history and why is it celebrated by Jews all over the world? Let's find out lots of fun facts...13 to be exact and an aside on when Yeshua celebrated CHANNUKAH!
And why do I spell it differently every time I type it??? Well I'll answer that one tomorrow! Chag Hannukkah Sameach!
2022-12-2120 min
Footsteps of the MessiahYosef HaTzaddik-Guilty Until Proven Innocent-Haftarat VaYashev 5783So David Melech has his title, and Avraham Avinu has his. Mosheh Rabbeinu is Moses our great teacher or rabbi...where do the sages get the right to call Yosef The Tzaddik or Joseph the Righteous?
There is a hidden code in the Haftarah for this week in the book of Amos HaNavi, Amos the Prophet. We look at the connection to the Parashat HaShavua, the portion of the week from the Torah...and go more into detail than usual with the summary of the portion from Genesis where Yosef gets kidnapped and goes to Egypt. I cou...
2022-12-1644 min
Footsteps of the MessiahObadiah means "Servant of HaShem"-Haftarat VaYishlach 5783 So, in the parashah, Genesis 32-36, Esav and Ya'akov meet again after decades of separation. Prior to that, Ya'akov meets a mysterious un-named entity which could have been an angel, G-d himself or some believe the Messiah...there are lots of ideas about this, but what we will cover is the connection between Israel & Esav. The man and the people of Esav are also known as Edom. In the Haftarah, in the book of Ovadiya, we will see the triumphant return of the Messiah Himself as He returns to Zion on The Day of The L-rd! And a secret hidd...
2022-12-1629 min
Footsteps of the MessiahHoshea: Guardian of the Future-VaYetzei-Haftarah 5783So many questions to ponder that we know there are answers for but so little time! So in the Prophets portion for Parashat Vayetzei, Hoshea mentions 2 things Ya'akov did which is why this portion was matched with the Torah portion.
1-Jacob's flight from home to "the field of Aram" & 2-the mention of Yerushalayim, when Hoshea says that The Almighty says I am in your midst and I will not enter a city...What in the world does that mean?
Does this connect to Galatians 4???
The relation of the haftarah to the parasha from the Etz Chayim commentary, to summarize, says th...
2022-12-1149 min
Footsteps of the MessiahEsav & Ya'akov in Malachi's words: Haftarah Toldot 5783This week I ran out of time to write an original summary so here's one from MyJewishLearning.com/article/haftarah-for-toldot/
God's expectations for the Israelites and the priests. Much of the haftarah is written in a back and forth style as an argument between God and the people of Israel. This is unique to the book of Malakhi. In many ways it points away from the traditional prophesy and toward the question and answer style of talmudic discussion that will become popular in the legal texts that star in the next era of Jewish history.
Yet Ma...
2022-12-0323 min
Footsteps of the MessiahLife [and Death] of Sarah: Haftarat Chayei SarahParashat Chayei Sarah is coupled with 1 Kings 1 which connects in several ways, though not readily obvious. There was not a lot in the way of commentaries or articles so this proves to be an enigmatic and elusive Haftarah portion to dissect...but join us and see what we find and discover about the life [and death] of King David and how it connects to the end of Avraham Avinu's life and Sarah Imeinu's life. G-d bless you!
2022-11-2249 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElisha's Miracles-Haftarat Vayera2 Kings 4: 1-37 covers three miracles done by Elisha, the successor of Eliyahu/Elijah. But why is this section from the N'vi'im / Prophets [in Hebrew] read for this week connecting to Parashat Vayera?
The phrase "vay-eira" is two words meaning "And G-d, The Almighty, was SEEN" and thereby we get the translation "appeared" in Genesis 18:1. The additional portion, "haftarah" discusses three miracles that are done by The Almighty through the hand of Elisha, whose name by the way means "My G-d is SALVATION" or in other words, my G-d is Yeshua. Just to be clear, I do not belie...
2022-11-1343 min
Footsteps of the MessiahLech L'chah-Walk to Yourself! Haftarah insightsThe third reading from the book of Genesis is named Lech Lecha. It means "go forth." The additional portion [haftarah in Hebrew] from the Prophet Isaiah is 40:27-41:16.
This name is given to both the Torah portion and the Haftarah because the first verse of the parasha in Genesis 12 says,
"Now the LORD said to Abram, 'Go forth (lech lecha, לֶךְ־לְךָ) from your country.'" Parashat Lech Lecha introduces Abraham and tells the story of his pilgrimage in pursuit of God.
Isaiah offers the people of Israel a message of reassurance. By the sixth century B.C...
2022-11-0743 min
Footsteps of the MessiahNoach is EVERYWHERE!-Haftarah Noach 5783מי־נח, "Mei-Noach" which translates "waters of Noach", are referred to in this Haftarah. Uniquely, this Haftarah is read twice during the year (again during the week of KiTeitze in the summer, during the period of consolation, after Tishah b'Av) as well as in the EXACT month that the flood took place, this very month of Cheshvan! I don't believe in coincidences! HaShem planned this and it is obviously a very important event and Noach a very important character in the Bible because he shows up and is referenced from Genesis up until 2 Peter! Let's take a look together!
2022-11-0137 min
Footsteps of the MessiahHaftarah Breisheet-Week 1 of 5783What do Genesis 1-2 and Isaiah 42-43 have in common? Why was this portion from the Nevi'im selected for this first week of the new year and matched with the story of Creation?
We see connections between Adam the first Man, also called Adam Rishon and Yeshua is called the Second Adam. We also see connections between Creation and the Day of the Lord, the Day that is All Sabbath, the Day of all Rest, etc.
Blessings and shalom and here's a new phrase I just learned, "Shavua M'vorach"! Have a Blessed Week! And if it's close to Friday evening, SHABB...
2022-10-2840 min
Footsteps of the MessiahBonus-Crossover Episode: Pro-Life Global with Bethany JanzenIn this special episode we interview Bethany Janzen, one of the co-founders of Pro-Life Global, a non-profit organization whose vision is to eliminate abortion worldwide! LEARN MORE AT Pro-LifeGlobal.org
Talk about building the Malchut Shamayim!
So related to this but not in the podcast, there is a phrase in Hebrew for placing preservation of life above all other things: פקוח נפש
In Hebrew it is pronounced Pikuach Nefesh. This means you can break certain commandments for the reasons of illness or preventing death. This illustrates the importance of life over all else. Besides, if someone passes into the next world, they cannot con...
2022-10-261h 04
Footsteps of the MessiahHaftarah Ha'azinu 5783David Melech celebrates his Yeshua (salvation), calls on The Rock and his King. We cover the additional (Haftarah) section of the weekly parasha and connect it to its counterpart in Deuteronomy. Why is it read and how did the Sages pick this section? What if it falls between Rosh HaShana & Yom Kippur, also called Shabbat Shuvah?
2022-10-2319 min
Footsteps of the MessiahWhat say the prophets for Sukkot?!? Haftarot-Sukkot Day 1 & 2So in Hebrew, the word "haftarah" is NOT related grammatically to "Torah" and is certainly not "half of the Torah" as could be easily assumed. Sounds the same BUT IT'S NOT friends! Here's the definition: Haftarah: (lit. "concluding portion"); reading from the Prophets at the conclusion of the weekly Torah reading. So it's quite an underutilized and often unacknowledged part of the Shabbat services and Holiday services. We take a look at the connections between the two portions and why they're read on the first two days of Sukkot. Also, we take the super-cool SUKKOT QUIZ! Test your knowledge of Sukkot...
2022-10-1740 min
Footsteps of the MessiahHaftarah Nitzavim 5782, recorded Tishri 5783It is Season 2 as the 2nd week of 5783 begins chevre! Friends, we review and augment our previous episode of Nitzavim's haftarah and give it our FULL ATTENTION as this was something HaShem put on my heart to go back to this portion to focus on. We also cover how it turns into the High Holiday season and moves us into the BRIDAL SEASON of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret as HaShem welcomes and greets and brings His Bride, Israel to Him! It's a beautiful story of renewal, restoration and return of Israel to HaShem!
2022-10-1023 min
Footsteps of the MessiahTehillim/Psalms 76-150 Summary (part 2 of 2)[Season 2, #1] There is a special custom for the month of Elul through Yom Kippur at the conclusion of the Biblical High Holidays!
The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur!
On Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms! In this episode we continue a summary of each Psalm and go into a few of them in detail. Many interesting history lessons and connections to certain holidays, Messianic prophecies and connections to The Day of The L-rd!
Look forward to...
2022-10-0553 min
Footsteps of the MessiahPsalms-1-75 Topical Summary [part 1 of 2][#38] Day 29 in the 29 Days of Elul: We wanted to explore Psalms on this last day of Elul with you chevre [friends]! It's now Day 29 in the 29 Days of Elul mini-series!
An Elul practice is to read through the Psalms in 40 days, finishing on Yom Kippur.
In Jewish understanding, Psalms are said to be a great medicine for anger, impatience, lust, fear, sadness and whatever are the opposites of the 9 Fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. Therefore, let's find them, JOY, LOVE, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, GENTLENESS, FAITHFULNESS & SELF-CONTROL via the Psalms.
Here are 150 summaries, some of which are really i...
2022-09-2530 min
Footsteps of the MessiahRosh HaShana FAQ 2022: Elul 28 of The 29 Days of ElulHow many days is RHS? When does it start and when does it end? What is Tashlich and when do you do it? What Bible verses is it based on? As a matter of fact, is the correct name for this holiday Rosh HaShana or is it Yom T'ruah??? What gives? Let's answer these questions together and maybe create more for you to explore on your own! L'SHANA TOVA U'M'TUKAH! [oh my gosh, what does that mean?...don't worry, you'll find out!]
2022-09-2434 min
Footsteps of the MessiahLashon HaRa part 4: When MIGHT It Be Permissible: Elul 26-27 in The 29 Days of ElulSo what if you witness a crime [G-d forbid]? Or what if you need to warn someone or a group about another person, based on their actions or reputation or heresay? When would it be permissible according to Biblical standards to speak anything at all?
Let's find out together as we look at articles and Scriptures as well as other Jewish writings.
2022-09-2236 min
Footsteps of the MessiahLashon HaRa part 3: Elul 24-25 in The 29 Days of Elul:What do you do if you find yourself tempted to speak about another...even if IT IS TRUE, what you are about to say? Is it okay according to the Bible? What do you do if you are in the middle of a discussion and it turns ugly and slanderous toward another? When is it slander?
Let's find out together in the 3rd part of this series on gossip and slander...let's get rid of lashon hara and become the bride of Messiah without any spot or blemish...no matter how much it tests us and causes us to show gre...
2022-09-2110 min
Footsteps of the MessiahParashat Nitzavim & the Haftarah: Elul 23 in The 29 Days of Elul: PART 2What does it mean the the Torah is not too baffling to us or that it is not so far that we need to go up to Heaven to get it...or down to the depths of the ocean to find it? Let's look together at the Etz Chayim Chumash commentary and find out more...PLUS, we take a second look at the Haftarah from Isaiah 61-62 and a little of 63 and why this points us to the final redemption, the coming of the Lord to meet Israel as a Bride and restore the Holy City of Yerushalayim!
2022-09-2023 min
Footsteps of the MessiahNitzavim, the weekly parasha/portion: Elul 22 of the 29 Days of ElulNitzavim is very interesting in that the Torah portion in Deuteronomy is actually shorter than the haftarah in Isaiah! We introduce the Torah portion and then jump into the haftarah in Isaiah 60 with the comparison of a bride and groom and the excitement of a newly married, never before married couple! How does this relate to Israel's redemption? Listen and find out as we learn together!
2022-09-1921 min
Footsteps of the MessiahELUL 20-21: The 29 Days of Elul-SELICHOTELUL 20-21: So in Hebrew the word for "excuse me" is "sli'cha"! S'lichot is plural in Hebrew.
It also is used for an apology but literally means "forgiveness". But this is the name of a special service said in synagogues all around the world prior to Rosh HaShana! Why? Aren't we going to be there for TWO days of Rosh HaShana services soon enough? Ever heard of a "dress rehearsal"?
Well, what exactly are Selichot? Let’s have a look together!
2022-09-1720 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 19-Lashon HaRa pt 2, "Slander"What is slander and how did/do the rabbis and Judaism view it? Was it punishable? What entails slander? Can you tell the truth about someone even if it hurts their name and reputation? Should you?
2022-09-1611 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 18-Lashon HaRa pt 1: What is Gossip According to The Bible and Judaism?I have been putting off this topic for many months if not years, but I get caught up in it some way or somehow or it is done around me or to me way too often...what is LASHON HARAH? Well, as for me and my house we will serve the LORD! So let's start by what does, OR DOES NOT, come out of my mouth!
There may be enough on this topic to carry us all the way through to Rosh HaShana! It is only 13 days away friends!
2022-09-1416 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 17 pt 2-OpinioNation PODCAST CROSSOVER: Why We Study the Temple and How It Impacts Our Walk With The LordPart 2 of our CROSSOVER podcast from our other channel, OpinioNation! My friend Edgar Ramos continues the discussion of how studying the Jewish prayer services connects us to the Biblical plan for the Temple and changed his walk for the Lord
2022-09-1337 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 16-OpinioNation CROSSOVER: How & Why We Study The Temple Pt 1In this special edition CROSSOVER podcast from our other channel, OpinioNation, for Elul 16, I interview my friend and fellow student of the Mishna and the Temple, Edgar Ramos. We discuss how studying the Bible requires an understanding of Judaism and how it has formed Edgar's walk with Yeshua the Messiah!
2022-09-1329 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 15-Ki Teitze Haftarah Isaiah 54:1-10(So I know this was this past Shabbat's Torah portion but I wanted to cover it because I felt it important. We will do Ki Tavo, the current week's portion prior to Shabbat) We look at insight into the symbolism, meaning and history of who Isaiah was prophesying to in the fifth week of seven weeks of consolation. Isaiah 54:1- 10
2022-09-1113 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 14-Parashat Ki TeitzeToday we study the parasha/portion of the Torah read in every synagogue this week (except when ISRAEL is ahead of us). "Ki Teitze" means "If or when you go out", and the weekly Torah portion name is usually from the first few Hebrew words of the portion itself.
2022-09-1020 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 13-Moshe's 120 Day Hike/The First Yom Kippur(Apologies, I began the episode saying it is Elul 12, but it is actually 13) Moshe went up and down the mountain for exactly 120 days. The entire period ends on a special day, making it an auspicious time for Israel annually!
2022-09-0916 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 12--52 days to plant the next year's seeds!Why does 52 matter? Why are there 52 days from ELUL 1 to the end of Sukkot at Hoshana Rabbah? Why are there 52 days from Passover to Shavuot? How much can we prepare for the coming year and why should we?
2022-09-0818 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 11-Moshe & the 120 daysWhy is 40 days so important? And what is the essence and origin of Elul 1 through Yom Kippur? Is it in the Bible somewhere? Find out as well as hear about the secret code for the DAY OF THE L-RD!
2022-09-0717 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 9-10 Significant Dates of ELULElul is about fixing relationships and getting closer every day to a clean slate. Hear many significant dates and anniversaries that took place in ELUL. Read Psalm 27 with us too!
2022-09-0611 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 8-What's up with Psalm 27???So out of 150 Psalms why do we say Psalm 27 for 52 days from Elul 1 until Tishri 22? That's all the way to the end of Sukkot! It must be pretty important! Let's find out why!
2022-09-0518 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 7- Haftarah for Shoftim, 4th Week of ConsolationHear about the "haftarah", the weekly additional portion from the N'vi'im(prophets) for the Shabbat of Parshat Shoftim. The fourth reading from Isaiah, out of seven weeks, the 7 Weeks of Consolation, counting down to ROSH HASHANA
2022-09-0321 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 6-THE SWITCHSpecial excerpt from Teshuva Boot Camp Day 1 of Elul on Atzmut.org with Rabbi Alon Anava as he describes a shift and decision in thinking, acting & doing! How do you simply decide to walk and live differently?
2022-09-0215 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 5, Shofar So Good!Hear key points about the shofar, Elul and RHS with my special co-star Tzuriel!
2022-09-0130 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul day 3-4 Go to War...with whom?Hear an excerpt from Rabbi Alon Anava's T'shuva Boot Camp Day 3, speaking about the war going on in your personal T'shuvah and how the weekly parasha of Shof'tim applies. For more episodes and a full Elul "itinerary" see Atzmut.org
2022-08-3115 min
Footsteps of the MessiahElul 2-What happened in Elul?Find out some important points and highlights about the month of the Elul! I learned a few things I had never heard before! Hopefully you will too! May you be blessed and encouraged Chevre!
2022-08-3021 min
Footsteps of the MessiahRosh Chodesh Elul, day 1In what direction are you pointed? Will you change your gaze for the next 30 days in Elul to find your way closer to HaShem?
2022-08-2917 min
Footsteps of the MessiahNisan, the month of MIRACLES!Nisan has the word "nes", the word we use at Chanukah for "miracle" embedded in the name of the month itself! Do you recognized the phrase "nes gadol haya sham"..."a great MIRACLE happened there"? Well...it's the SAME word! Nes is at the essence and the "shoresh", or root, of the month Nisan!
It is the month when Noach's Ark landed on Ararat, "the seventh month" [Genesis 8:4], it is the month when Esther went to seek the King's favor to save the Jewish people [Esther 3:7] and it is the month of the nation of Israel's birth.
We also explore the...
2022-08-1756 min
Footsteps of the MessiahMinor Fast Days: 17th of Tammuz and the Three WeeksHow is the 17th of Tammuz fast relative today?
A little known Bible fact is that the prophet Zechariah in chapter 8 states that the four minor fasts already established at that time would turn to festival days of gladness! Well two are happening now, between today and three weeks away!
What do we do today to prepare for this radical turn of events in the Messianic Kingdom of Yeshua?
2022-07-1821 min
Footsteps of the MessiahAdar 1 & 2, the "leap" month is "pregnant"!How much do you know about Adar besides it contains the joyful festival of Purim?
Well, there's more than meets the eye and the "year"!
Find out the significance of the month to the rest of the cycle and why
Adar is critical to keeping all of the festivals on their course as commanded in Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16.
2022-06-2416 min
Footsteps of the MessiahShevat-Winter to Spring and The TribesMaybe you have heard of Shevat and probably the New Year for Trees...but what else is hiding in this month when Winter melts into Spring?
2022-06-2315 min
Footsteps of the MessiahTevet-The Month of Hidden GoodTevet is a month wherein you can simply change the vowels of the Hebrew month and see the word "goodnesses" or "good" in plural!
A month of good things hidden in the darkest part of the year but the sun is on the rise!
Usually falling right before or right after the winter solstice, it is a dark month in terms of daylight, with more hours of evening and night.
BUT, Tevet owns the last 2 days of Chanukah and has significant history that is not often reviewed or taught.
2022-05-0731 min
Footsteps of the MessiahKislev-Month of Miracles & the RainbowThis month, we look at lesser known observances, facts and connections in the Biblical month of Kislev, the third and ninth month on the Biblical/Jewish calendar.
2022-02-2335 min
Footsteps of the MessiahCheshvan: Second or Eighth month?Hear about the name Cheshvan and its similarity to another important Hebrew month and word, about the flood and that Cheshvan is the month in which Noach, the portion about the flood is WHEN this parashah is ACTUALLY READ every year!
Also, insights about the connections between Tishri and Cheshvan and why there are no observed holidays in this month. BUT IT'S FULL OF ACTUALIZING YOUR POTENTIAL!
2021-12-1944 min
OpinioNationAmeristralia: Joining of NationsWe speak with my friend and neighbor Jim who is a US Army Veteran [on Veterans' Day, no less!] and explore his book which he has been developing the idea for since the 1970's. The idea of Ameristralia is not uniquely his but he has gone a long way with the idea which is being edited and soon to be published in 2022 as a two book set. Find out what nations are proposed for a combined government with its own constitution and currency.
2021-11-1935 min
OpinioNationForgiveness & Suffering: How to PrevailOur episode covers the 40+ year journey of a close friend who has grown his mother's one small restaurant into a multimillion dollar enterprise with four locations. After suffering the loss of his father when he was only 16, Louis Barrios found a way to find his way, work with family and grow in his faith. Upon the dramatic and untimely death of his mother, he handled her death quite differently than the death of his father. He answers all of the questions about feelings, reactions, denial and how he has grown from it all.
2021-11-1249 minOpinioNationSpirituality & Prosperity pt 2We continue to look at the Bible, including stories, examples, quotes, admonitions and the concept of excess. What is God's desire for you in your career, your work and for your family's financial tree? Let's look at stories of healing, miracles of provision and what happened to some lepers in the Bible and what it means to us today!
2021-10-161h 04OpinioNationMiracle Grow Your Financial Future: Compound Interest & Why Invest Yesterday, Today & TomorrowListen to Mark Howard from Momentum Wealth Strategies in Dallas, Texas explain why investing earlier than later and with a financial advisor can increase your results by over 80%. Also discussed: the beauty of compound interest and exponential growth as well as how inexpensive it is to work with a financial advisor, even if you HAVE DEBT and NO money at present to invest.
2021-10-121h 17OpinioNationProsperity and Spirituality part 1Are riches, wealth and financial independence a noble, moral and even Biblical pursuit? There's nothing wrong with wealth. It is how you use it that matters. You can hold on to one without letting go of the other.Hear about why you can be wealthy, give more to your non-profits and congregations and find greater joy, peace, hope and fulfillment when you are at peace with your ideal work.
2021-10-1029 min
Footsteps of the MessiahHoshana Rabbah, Shemini Atzeret & Simchat TorahThese three days are sometimes not celebrated separately depending on where you are. Did Yeshua celebrate these days? What significance do they have in the Bible and in the future? Where can we find Hoshana Rabbah in the Bible? What exactly is Shemini Atzeret and what do we do that day? Which days are Yom Tovs? How did Simchat Torah come about? Walk through these questions and more as we follow in the Footsteps of the Messiah!
2021-10-0653 min
Footsteps of the MessiahSukkot: The Festival of InsecurityThis teaching was so good that I had to share it, though I didn't come up with it myself. I add a few comments, but it is from a Jewish friend of mine. Quoting from ancient to modern sources, the sukkah is us and we are the sukkot! We are stable yet fragile and HaShem's clouds and fire bring us stability.
2021-10-0612 min
Footsteps of the MessiahSukkot-Chol HaMoed-ShabbatSukkot is a week of joy! How do we spend Shabbat of the week of Sukkot? What do we read and why? What can it tell us about the future, the redemption of Israel and the world? What section of the Torah is read on Shabbat this week? Let's find out together and have joy and only joy! Let's follow in the Footsteps of the Messiah!
2021-10-0639 min
Footsteps of the MessiahSukkot-Zman SimchateynuSukkot! It is the time of our joy, but where does it say that? Is "tabernacle" a correct translation? Why dwell in a temporary dwelling at this time of year? We'll try to answer these questions and others! Walk with us in the footsteps of the Messiah!
2021-10-0630 min
Footsteps of the MessiahYom KippurIs Yom Kippur the name of this holiday in the Torah? What does Yom Kippur have to do with repentance/teshuvah? What happens to the Cohen HaGadol/High Priest and the two goats? How does this correlate to Yeshua and His execution at Passover? What do Caiaphas and Pilate have to do with this ceremony? What other festival does Yom Kippur connect to and have something in common with?
2021-10-061h 10
Footsteps of the MessiahDays of AweYamim Nora'im is the Hebrew phrase for the seven days between the end of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. What does HaShem want us to learn between these two auspicious holidays? Are the seven days special? What should we do during this special unique week that only comes once per year? Tishri day three is a unique fast commemorating an assassination in the Bible. What do these seven days show us about the future Birth Pangs of the Messiah?
2021-10-0632 min
Footsteps of the MessiahRosh HaShana or Yom Teruah?Hear insights about the Biblical new year and its names plus other insights about this special Biblical holiday and its prophetic themes, yet to be fulfilled!
2021-10-0632 minOpinioNationPandemic Thanksgiving 2020Solo talk about the ups and downs of emotions during the holidays; spending the holidays doing something meaningful and serving others. Call your family and friends.
2021-09-1425 minOpinioNation"Native American" vs. Indigenous and Various RacismMy good friend John talks about growing up with racism and the plights of Native Americans and the nomenclature; as well as racism from the 50's til today.
2021-09-0129 minOpinioNationTom Wall and Music of the PlantsTom Wall talks to us about how he discovered music with plants. Musicshows how they are intelligent and conscious beings.
2021-09-0140 minOpinioNationMatt, the pandemic and MichiganMy buddy Matt in Michigan talks about special event disruption due to the pandemic and what comes next.
2021-09-0125 min2021-09-0139 min