In this week’s teaching Ross focuses on the subject of War. The Torah reading this week is called Ki Tetze, which means “when you go forth”. The context is war. The Torah reading begins and ends with the subject of war and so Ross first shows that an eternal struggle has been going on from “a generation to a generation” between the “sons of light” and the “sons of darkness”. He seeks to show that the enemies of Yehovah have waged a war against the very throne of Yah. Working through several texts from the Hebrew Bible, he points out the source of this attack as well as the vision of a world where there is no war. What will it take to transform our world to a place where the implements of battle are beaten into farming tools? Could it be that the transformation is up to each of us fulfilling our roles and doing what God has commanded us to do? Listen to this class and share it with others.

Click here to listen to this class.

In this week’s Torah teaching, Ross teaches on the subject of righteousness and Justice as the foundation of God’s Kingdom. The parsha covers the administration of a government designed by God. Ross teaches on judges, kings and prophets, but then shows that the foundation of all of this is to be built upon two Hebrew words; tzedek and mishpat. He shows how these words are often used together in Scripture. You will not want to miss this class.

Click here to listen to this class.

In this week’s Torah teaching, Ross covers the subject of “seeing” from a Biblical perspective. The Torah reading begins with a command to “see”, and follows with the choices set before each of us of blessing and curse. He shows that this choice is connected to the original covenant with Abraham. Ross points out that from the beginning people have been led astray at times by what they have seen, and by “doing what is right in their own eyes”. He contrasts this with doing what is right in the eyes of God. He points out that we can be deceived if what we see is not aligned with what we have “heard” from the Torah. You will not want to miss this challenging class. What do you see?

Click here to listen to this class.

In this week’s portion, Ross shares his understanding of why Israel is a chosen people. Beginning with a passage in Psalm 135:4 – “For Yah has chosen for himself Yaakov – Israel for his segulah.” In this class, Ross takes you on a journey through the Bible to determine why Israel is the object of Yehovah’s love and affection. Is this an unconditional promise? Keying off of the Hebrew word “Ekev”, Ross answers the reasons for Israel’s chosen status. He looks closely at the “oath sworn to the fathers”. What was it that caused God to love Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Based upon the words of Isaiah in this week’s prophet reading, Ross looks back to Abraham. You will not want to miss this teaching on why God chose Israel and what it will take to retain this position.

Click here to listen to this class.

In today’s class Ross offers a view of life from the Torah. This reading is full of incredible insights. Today is the first of seven Sabbaths of consolation, known as Shabbat nachamu. Ross begins his teaching in the 40th chapter of Isaiah. This passage still speaks to us today – A Voice is crying in the wilderness to prepare the way! Ross offers his listeners a challenge to hear the voice. Working through what he calls “the Greatest Sermon of Moses” Ross shows that within these words we find the path to life. Drawing upon the words of Jesus and the frequent use of these texts by Christians, Ross challenges modern followers of Jesus to rethink their view of eternal life. Does the Torah really bring life? Is salvation based upon works? From the greatest commandment to a repetition of 4 Hebrew verbs, Ross expands our understanding of a life based upon God’s plan for mankind. You will not want to miss this teaching.

Follow this link to the archived class.

http://rootsoffaith.org/2011/08/13/do-this-and-live-a-path-to-life.htm

Don’t miss the latest teaching from Ross Nichols from Roots of Faith in St. Francisville, Louisiana. This link will lead you to the lesson from last Shabbat, just as we begin our reading of Deuteronomy:

In this class, Ross begins his study of the 5th book of the Torah – commonly referred to as Deuteronomy, but known in Hebrew as Devarim. Devarim means “words” in Hebrew. The book is the final word from Moses to the children of Israel. This book of the Torah represents the end of a journey as the Israelites are preparing to enter the promised land, but it also represents a new beginning. The book of Devarim represents 2 weeks of time following 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Ross begins the study by conveying the importance of “hearing” the words of Moses and the consequences both then and now for not hearing these words. You will not want to miss this teaching.

http://rootsoffaith.org/2011/08/06/devarim-the-words-of-moses.htm

Robert Eisenman on Orde Wingate, don’t miss this one, it was on Huffington Post and is now on the Home page of the Jerusalem Post. If you like it vote, and comment on both sites…

http://blogs.jpost.com/content/did-british-kill-orde-wingate-part-i

Here are the Huffington Post links that have both parts:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-eisenman/post_2154_b_884195.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-eisenman/post_2153_b_884193.html

What follows is a moving personal meditation written by filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici on the murder of the Fogel family last Shabbat in Israel. If you would like to help in an effort, initiated by our sister organization, Roots of Faith, follow this link:

http://rootsoffaith.org/fogel-family-fund

Simcha’s Message: On the Murder of the Jews

Last Friday, as with most Shabbat dinners, we had guests. It was a wonderful Shabbat. One of our guests is a commando in reserves, and he expressed his angst over whether we in Israel are doing everything possible to advance the peace process. For my part, I said that you can’t ram peace down the Palestinians’ throats. They have to want it. Literally, while we were agonizing over peace prospects and introspecting, trying to understand how our enemies feel about the situation, the Fogel family finished their Shabbat dinner, put 5 kids to bed and retired for the night. Their eldest, a 12 year old, went out with friends.

A few minutes later, two terrorists broke into their house and knifed father Udi, 37, mother Ruth, 36, 10 year old Yoav, 4 year old Elad, and three month old Hadas. They missed two kids sleeping on couches. The 12 year old found the family when she came home. None of us have been all right all week. I try to act normal, but I keep thinking about that terrorist who plunged a knife into a three month old, who was cuddling with her father in his bed.

25,000 people showed up for the funeral. My wife and I were not there, we were crying in our kitchen. Reading the foreign press and watching international news shows, the story hardly rated. The BBC, which did cover it, blamed the Fogels. They were, after all, orthodox Jews who believed that Jews had a right to live in ancient Judea. Somehow the three month old deserved it, not to speak of the older children and the parents. There were no international outcries. The usual cast of characters who bash Israel at every opportunity didn’t step up and say “this time, you’ve gone too far!” No full-page ads from intellectuals like Naomi Klein, no radio interviews from John Greyson, no full-page ads from Islamic and Arab American and Canadian associations stating in bold letters “This Is Not My Islam!”

Meanwhile, at the funeral, there were no cries of “death to the Arabs,” no chanting for revenge, no glorification of martyrdom, no banners….25,000 quiet people in mourning. Hundreds of thousands more around the country. Not a single Arab was beat up. I was so proud of my people. There were a lot of tears and a lot of prayers and a determination that evil will not win out.

May the members of the Fogel family who were murdered find eternal rest with Hashem. May Hashem provide the surviving members with strength.

We are here. This is home. We’re not going anywhere.

Simcha Jacobovici

I have made forty-four trips to Israel since 1990 but I have only led two tours. One was a private group from my university; the second, last year, I opened to the public–primarily various readers of my books who had followed some of my career as a biblical scholar. The tour was so successful that I have decided to do another, but with a reshaped itinerary. I am limiting the group to just 45, to allow for maximum face-to-face time. This tour will most likely fill up quite quickly so if you are interested you might want to act soon.

You can find full details at my Blog Site:

http://jamestabor.com/2011/02/21/prof-tabor-to-lead-israel-tour-october-21-30-2011/