The weekly reading for the week of 22 Shevat, 5764 - February 14, 2004 Parashah: Yitro Exodus 18:1 to 20:23(26); Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-13; 7:1-6; 9:5-6(6-7) (Ashkenazi) Isaiah 6:1-13 (Sephardi); Mei Kituvim: Ezra 7:1-1, 27-28; Brit Chadashah: John 1:1-18


The Bagel: Difficult beginnings and their resolutions. Israel was beginning a new life apart from Egypt. They began in the desert. The charter of that beginning was the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai.

Torah: Exodus 18:1 to 20:23(26). In Parashat Yitro Moses began his role as the guide of Israel in the desert. Yitro (Jethro) saw the weariness that Moses experienced because the need for guidance was so great and voluminous. Moses' father-in-law wisely counseled Moses to distribute the load. This was a difficulty in the beginning that got resolved.

The giving of the charter, the Torah, meant that Israel was a nation whose law was divinely written in stone. It was unalterable and permanent. The manner of the giving of the Torah was also a new beginning. Israel was related to Adonay not only by Abrahamic covenant, but now by the regulations of the Law. This was a new relationship status. Israel had to obey in order to meet the stipulations of the new relationship. Disobedience meant punishments. Obedience meant blessings. Faith meant access to the Abrahamic covenant. Works meant upholding the covenant of the Torah.

No wonder it was a difficult task because the giving of the Torah was a fearful and dreadful sight. They beheld the glory of G-d at Sinai. They trembled and were in great fearfulness in response to His presence. Holiness was meeting a sin-laden nation. Precisely because Israel was chosen for the high honor of bearing His Name before the nations were their requirements so high. This beginning was difficult. To be prone to sin and yet bear the responsibility of being an example to the nations was more than Israel could bear. This difficulty awaited the future redemption for the permanent resolution, but in the meantime it was the sacrifices that gave temporary pardon.

Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-13; 7:1-6; 9:5-6(6-7). In the Haftarah reading the prophet Isaiah encountered Him who was and is the Beginning. The vision is of the throne of Adonay. Genesis 1:1 tells us: "In the beginning G-d created...." That included the angelic realm and all that pertains to heavenly worship. Isaiah became privy to such a glorious encounter. This was a difficult beginning for Isaiah. "Woe is me!" he exclaimed before the heavenly witnesses. He encountered Him who is the center of the Torah and discovered his own predilections toward sin: "I am a man of unclean lips." Isaiah's difficulty was resolved by the coal of atonement. He was cleansed and became fit to bear the responsibility: "Who will go?" Adonay said. "Hineini, here am I!" responded Isaiah.

Mei Kituvim: Ezra 7:1-1, 27-28. This reading of Mei Kituvim presents a difficult beginning. Ezra came with the returnees from Babylon, which was ruled by the Persian empire, to Ha Aretz, the Land. The return was a new beginning for the Jews. Enemies opposed the resettlement on every hand. But Ezra found resources in the G-d of Israel and was a ready (prepared or experienced) Sofer (scribe) of the Torah. He knew His G-d because he knew his text. In spite of all the opposition, Ezra carried out the mandate of the restoration of the Second Temple. Now, the continued function of the nation and temple was under attack. But Adonay moved the heart of the Persian king to grant the continued worship unhindered.

Brit Chadashah: John 1:1-18. Yohannan's prologue found in the reading of the Brit Chadashah speaks of a difficult beginning. He who is the beginning made His presence before humanity permanent by becoming flesh or human. This coming of Yeshua as a man was a new beginning that also was fraught with difficulty: "The Light shines in the darkness...." He invaded a world controlled by Satan and sin. This difficult beginning would eventually result in the crucifixion. Yeshua was born to die. But His death led to another new beginning, called the "new creation." This new beginning can be described as the permanent redemption and atonement found in His resurrection from the dead. Yeshua's beginning faced difficulty all along the way, but in it He won the victory and in the end won the ultimate victory. His was the victorious defeat of sin, Satan, death, and hell at the cross.

Cream Cheese: He who begins well must end well.

The weekly reading for the week of 22 Shevat, 5764 - February 14, 2004 Parashah: Yitro Exodus 18:1 to 20:23(26); Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-13; 7:1-6; 9:5-6(6-7) (Ashkenazi) Isaiah 6:1-13 (Sephardi); Mei Kituvim: Ezra 7:1-1, 27-28; Brit Chadashah: John 1:1-18