Weekly Study Introduction
Recently David Biema of Time Magazine wrote a fascinating article entitled “Future Revolutions” in which he identified the “Re-Judaizing of Jesus” as one of the top ten cultural trends of the 21st Century. Understanding the Jewish context of Jesus is becoming more and more essential for the next generation of Christians in the world today.
Perhaps the single most powerful way to understand the Jewish context of Jesus is to study the Jewish Scriptures themselves, namely, the Law (Torah), Writings and Prophets. This was Jesus’ own approach with his disciples: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).
Centuries before Jesus walked the earth, Ezra the Scribe and the 120 elders of the Great Assembly divided the Torah into 54 portions so that in the course of a year (beginning and ending on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah –Rejoicing over God’s Word) the entire scroll would be recited during services. This practice is still observed in synagogues around the world today. Yeshua (Jesus), said that these Scriptures plainly testify of Him (John 5:39). “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).
Now you can better understand how the Jewish Scriptures bear witness that Jesus is the promised Messiah of Israel by studying the weekly Torah portion. Partake of this beautiful and ancient tradition by reading and studying the weekly Torah portion to gain a deeper understanding of the Gospels from a Hebrew perspective!
There are 54 Torah Portions from Genesis 1:1 to Deuteronomy 34:12. Each Torah portion, features a wealth resources, including selections of Torah as well as portions from the Prophets and New Testament. Throughout the weekly studies, careful attention is taken to demonstrate how Yeshua (Jesus) is powerfully revealed in these Jewish Scriptures.