In 2009 we will be trying a different, lighter schedule. I may be able to post some PowerPoint files here and maybe also some PDF’s of our interactive teaching sessions. If you enjoy the lessons posted here, email me and let me know:
The Book of Revelation (‘08-’09 Torah Study)
Introduction Part 1: Persecution. Download PDF.
Introduction Part 2: Apocalyptic. Download PDF.
Introduction Part 3: Reading Strategies. Download PDF.
Revelation 1:1-8. Download PDF.
High Holidays 2008:
Shabbat Shuvah. Torah, Deut 31. Download PDF.
Shabbat Shuvah. Prophets, Hosea/Micah/Joel. Download PDF.
Rosh HaShanah Notes. Download PDF.
New in August 2008: Topics in Torah Living
We’re trying something new at Tikvat David. We are using our group study time to discuss topics. Reading the Torah cycle is still quite important to us (find the readings on the “Reading Schedule” button at top). But we are enjoying learning about topics that help us live the Torah.
You will find several things on this page:
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1.Immediately below, find out latest “Topics in Torah Living.”
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2.Below that, find Hebrew learning pages.
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3.Below that, you will find older notes on Torah portions (different formats from different times, but they should all be helpful).
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4.Finally, at the bottom, “Tips for Studying Torah.”
TOPICS FOR TORAH LIVING
Constant Prayer. Download PDF.
Jewish Ethics 101. Download PDF.
How to Know God’s Will. Download PDF.
HEBREW LEARNING PAGES
HEBREW ALEF-BET. Download PDF.
HEBREW READING FUN. Download PDF.
HEBREW WRITING FUN. Download PDF.
HEBREW SENTENCES. Download PDF.
HEBREW VERBAL BASICS. Download PDF.
HEBREW NOUNS AND GENDER. Download PDF.
NOTES ON TORAH READINGS
B’reisheet, Genesis 1:1 - 6:8. Click Here.
No’akh, Genesis 6:9 - 11:32. Click Here.
Lekh Lekha, Genesis 12:1 - 17:27. Click Here.
Vayeira, Genesis 18:1 - 22:24. Click Here.
Khayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1 - 25:18. Click Here.
Toledot, Genesis 25:19 - 28:9. Click Here.
Vayetzei, Genesis 28:10 - 32:3. Click Here.
Vayekhi, Genesis 47:28 - 50:26. Click Here.
Bo, Exodus 10:1 - 13:16, “How to Do Passover.” Click Here.
Outline of Mishpatim, 21:1 - 24:18. Click Here.
Terumah, Exodus 25:1 - 27:19. Click Here.
Ki Tisa, Exodus 30:11 - 34:35. Click Here.
Pekudei, Exodus 38:21 - 40:38. Click Here.
VaYikkra, Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26. Click Here.
Bekhukotai (Leviticus 26:3 - 27:34. Download PDF.
BaMidbar (Numbers 1:1 - 4:20). Download PDF.
Beha’alotkha (Numbers 8:1 - 12:16). Download PDF.
Shelakh Lekha (Numbers 13:1 - 15:41). Download PDF.
Korakh (Numbers 16:1 - 18:32). Download PDF.
Khukat (Numbers 19:1 - 22:1). Download PDF.
Balak (Numbers 22:2 - 25:9). Download PDF.
Pinkhas (Numbers 25:10 - 30:1*). Download PDF.
*30:1 in Jewish Bibles; 29:40 in Christian Bibles.
Mattot (Numbers 30:2* - 32:42). Download PDF.
*30:2 in Jewish Bibles; 30:2 in Christian Bibles.
OTHER BIBLE PASSAGES
Psalm 42-43. Click Here.
Psalm 48. Click Here.
Psalm 51. Click Here.
Psalm 54. Click Here.
Interconnections in John and the Synoptics. Click Here.
John 1:1-18 and Judaism. Click Here.
John 10, The Good Shepherd. Click Here.
Isaiah 40-41. Click here.
Isa. 42:1-4, Servant Song #1. Click Here.
Isaiah 53. Click Here.
Isaiah 54-55. Click Here.
Tips for Studying Torah
For studying the Torah, it is important first to follow the reading cycle of the synagogue. You can find the Torah readings on this website under “Reading Schedule,” though this will not give you the haftarah reading. Finding the scheduled Torah and haftarah reading can easily be done by googling “Torah reading schedule.” One simple to use site is at the Flame Foundation (click here).
Second, there are various objectives that are worthwhile in Torah study: (1) to discover the meaning of the scripture passages, (2) to learn the commandments, (3) to learn the theology of the Torah, (4) to discover Jewish traditions and interpretations, (5) to see how Torah relates to Yeshua and the New Testament, and (6) to provide meaningful discussion with a group of friends. Consider your aims in studying the Torah.
Third, there are a number of great resources you can use to aid in studying the Torah. The following are a few recommendations:
--Chumash, Stone Edition: Available at amazon.com, this will give you an Orthodox Jewish perspective on the Torah and haftarah passages.
--John Walton and Andrew Hill, A Survey of the Old Testament: This is one of the most useful and well-thought out Christian books on the Old Testament. I highly recommend adding this to your library. It is not easy for beginners but is not too academic either.
--Derek Leman, A New Look at the Old Testament: Great for beginners and challenging for some advanced students as well to read a Messianic Jewish theology of the Hebrew scriptures.
--First Fruits of Zion’s new Torah Club, Volume 1: Available at ffoz.org. The new notes have a much better theology of Israel than the original set did and the scholarship is excellent. This is great for beginners and intermediate students and is an easy resource for groups.
--The Sapirstein Edition Rashi set: Available at artscroll.com. This set not only has Rashi’s comments, but notes to help the modern reader understand Rashi’s logic. This is a somewhat advanced resource.
--GENESIS: John Walton’s commentary in the NIV Application Commentary series.
--EXODUS: Haven’t found a great one yet, but the classic Umberto Cassuto (out of print and only for the first part of Exodus) is very good. I suppose a decent bet would be Douglas Stuart in the New American series.
--LEVITICUS: Jacob Milgrom’s 3-volume set on Leviticus in the Anchor Bible series, for advanced students only. Not easy or cheap to get but you can find it online. Though Milgrom does not believe that Moses wrote the Torah, this is nonetheless one of the finest commentaries on any book of the Bible. Those wanting a good conservative commentary will be disappointed, so just get Milgrom and take his critical views with a grain of salt.
--NUMBERS: Jacob Milgrom in the JPS series. This is not from a scholar who accepts that Moses wrote the text, but Milgrom is the best.
--DEUTERONOMY: Probably Christopher Wright in the New International Biblical Commentary series. I have yet to find a stand out commentary for Deuteronomy either. Alternatively, try Moshe Weinfeld in the Anchor Bible series.
