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Parashah Vayak’hel

Since ancient times, Yehovah has shown a great desire to be close to his people, Israel. When the Israelites wandered through the desert after being freed from Egypt, the Most High gave them detailed instructions for building a special place where He could dwell among them. This place was the Tabernacle, a kind of portable sanctuary, symbolizing the continuous presence of God among his people. The idea was that, despite being on a long and difficult journey, the children of Israel would always have the Almighty close by, guiding, protecting and blessing them.
The Tabernacle was more than a structure; it was a tangible sign of our Father’s desire to live among his people, to be accessible to them. This desire extended beyond simply being worshipped from afar; it involved a close and constant relationship with Israel.
Even centuries later, this divine desire for closeness was reiterated through the words of the prophet Ezekiel. In chapter 37, Yehovah promises that he will establish his sanctuary among his people forever, saying:

My sanctuary will be among them; I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

This promise was a powerful affirmation of the Almighty’s eternal commitment to Israel. Through Ezekiel, God was reminding His people that, regardless of time or circumstance, His desire to live among them would never change.

Both in this section of the book of Exodus and in the Gospels, the importance of generosity and community collaboration is emphasized. In this parashah, we see how the people of Israel come together in the same spirit to carry out this project: The Tabernacle. This goes hand in hand with the teachings of Yeshua during his ministry related to instructing the people about the importance of sharing with others, especially those most in need.

A figure of the Messiah: This portion also reminds us that the Tabernacle is a type of Yeshua since it was the place where the presence of the Most High was manifested to his people Israel. In the same way, the Father manifested his divine Presence when…

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only begotten son), full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Furthermore, the promise that we find in the book of Ezekiel not only reaffirms the special relationship between Yehovah and Israel, but also points towards a future where the presence of the Almighty will be even more direct and personal for all generations to come through the figure of the heir to the throne: Yeshua the Messiah.

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Parashah T’rumah

The Hebrew word “terumah” means “offering”. In this context, it refers to the voluntary contributions that the Israelites were to make for the construction of the Mishkan – Tabernacle. Yehovah instructed Moses to invite the people to bring specific materials, such as precious metals, fabrics, animal skins, wood and oils, among others, for the construction and the elements of the sanctuary.

Also detailed are the designs and materials necessary for the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the golden Menorah, the Altar of Incense, the Altar of Burnt Offering and the Mishkan enclosure itself. Each of these elements had a specific purpose in the future service of the Temple and symbolized various aspects of Yeshua’s role and Yehovah relationship with his people.

Just as the Israelites contributed their resources in the past to the construction of the Mishkan, we believers are called to offer our gifts and talents for the building of the Kingdom of Yehovah on earth. Yeshua himself, throughout his ministry, taught and exemplified the value of giving oneself in service to others and in the expansion of love, truth and justice.

To reflect

The Tabernacle is the meeting place between Yehovah and the people of Israel, a figure of the presence of the Almighty that is fully manifested in Yeshua. He is described as the “Tabernacle” that dwelt among us (John 1:14), being the place where Yehovah and man meet in perfect harmony. In other words, Yeshua is the way to reconciliation with our Father, and his sacrifice on the cross represents the perfect fulfillment of the system of sacrifices and offerings prescribed in the Torah.

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Parashah B’shalaj

Parashah Beshalach narrates one of the most outstanding episodes in the history of the people of Israel: the liberation from slavery in Egypt and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea.

The narrative begins with a description of the route taken by the people of Israel as they left Egypt. Instead of taking the most direct route to the Promised Land, Yehovah guides the Israelites into the desert to avoid possible conflicts with other nations. Soon, the pharaoh regrets having freed the people and pursues the Israelites with his army. Let’s look at some important aspects of this parashah that provide valuable lessons for our daily lives.

The parashah highlights the song of triumph of Moses and the children of Israel, known as the “Shirat HaYam” or the Song of the Sea, which celebrates the miraculous liberation. The story deals with the divine provision of manna and quail to feed the nation in the desert, as well as the importance of keeping the Shabbat.

Beshalach is a section rich in teachings about trust in Yehovah, gratitude for his miracles and the importance of obeying his commandments. This story continues to be a source of inspiration and reflection for the children of Israel and offers very valuable lessons about faith and redemption.

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Parashah Shemot – Names

After a time of prosperity and enjoyment under Joseph’s rule, the children of Israel suddenly found themselves confronted with a challenge: slavery imposed by a new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph’s history, much less appreciate what he had brought to Egypt. This period of oppression becomes a dark chapter for the Israelites, as they were subjected to forced labor in very cruel and difficult conditions.
However, in the midst of this adversity, an outstanding figure emerges: Moses, designated by Yehovah as the deliverer of the people. Moses will become a divine instrument for the deliverance of the children of Israel. Through a series of miraculous events and confrontations with Pharaoh; he will lead the people to freedom, beginning an epic journey known as: The Exodus.

At the end of this portion, Moses meets with his brother Aharon and together they appear before Pharaoh, asking him to let the Israelites go out to serve Yehovah. Pharaoh refuses and hardens his heart, increasing the workload of the slaves. It is then that Yehovah promises Moses that he will show his power and glory, and that he will bring out his people with a mighty hand.

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Parasha Miketz – At the end

After being sold into slavery, Joseph proved to be a faithful and competent servant. However, he faced several trials when he was accused of a crime he did not commit and was imprisoned. Despite this, Joseph demonstrated a unique gift for interpreting dreams. With this ability and with Yehovah’s help, he was appointed governor of Egypt, becoming second after Pharaoh. His story is a testimony to divine provision and God’s ability to transform adverse situations into instruments for good.

The Parashah Miketz leaves us a great teaching, revealing the change of attitude of Joseph’s brothers, especially Judah, who offers to stay as a slave instead of Benjamin, Jacob’s favorite son. This contrasts with what they had done with Joseph, when they sold him into slavery out of jealousy. Now Joseph’s brothers show remorse and repentance, as well as compassion for their father and for their younger brother. These are attitudes and values that we can well develop in our own lives.

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Parashah Vayetze – He went out

This parashah narrates significant events, including marriages, births and family tensions, all of which play a crucial role in the development of the history of the people of Israel. The parashah also highlights some spiritual and ethical lessons that emerge from the patriarch Jacob’s experiences, providing a source of reflection on life, faith and connection to Yehovah, God of Israel.

This portion of Scripture teaches us that through faithfulness and dedication, even in difficult situations, it is possible to achieve important goals and objectives. The importance of recognizing God’s presence in our lives and trusting in His plan, even though we may not fully understand the path we are on, becomes evident. Vayetze underscores the idea that faith and perseverance can lead to personal transformation and the realization of a greater purpose in life.