Podcasts about shema

News and commentary for Wednesday, 2 September, 2026.

News and commentary for Tuesday, 1 September, 2026.

News and commentary for Monday, 31 August, 2026.

What does it mean to be a people set apart? In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke's, Pastor Melissa explores Deuteronomy 6 and the Shema, examining how Israel's unique identity was shaped by its singular devotion to God. As we connect this ancient story to our Methodist heritage, we're invited to consider what it means for us to live out our own particular identity as followers of Jesus today. Go deeper on our free app: https://www.livetherhythm.app/ Looking for a small group? View a full listing at: https://www.st.lukes.org/lifetogether/

Love and Torah – what's the connection? This study series delves into the “Two Great Commands” – love Yahweh and love your neighbor. In the final episode, Rabbi Steve Berkson explores the 17th chapter of the Gospel according to John. Here, we witness Messiah Yeshua praying to His Father for those He chose and discipled to carry on His mission. Rabbi Berkson then shifts to Deuteronomy chapter 30. He reveals that Elohim's plan was to exile His people to other nations due to their disobedience. However, He assured them that they would be regathered and recommit to the commandments, including loving their Elohim. In Matthew 24, we observe how a lawless generation gradually loses its love for Torah. Be wary of false prophets who claim that Torah is obsolete or that adhering to it will lead to a lawless life. Such individuals may mistakenly believe they have a relationship with Messiah and the Father but ultimately fall short. Rabbi Berkson concludes the series by referencing Romans 8:28, which emphasizes the connection between love and Torah-keeping. The verse states, “All things work together for the good…” Rabbi Berkson meticulously dissects these passages, providing you with a deeper understanding of what Yah expects of you. By comprehending these expectations, you can fulfill them and reap the blessings that follow. mtoi.org The MTOI App https://mtoi.org/download-the-mtoi-app youtube.com/@mtoi facebook.com/mtoiworldwide instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide admin@mtoi.org (423) 250-3020 Join us LIVE (all times Eastern): • Torah Study, Fridays 7:30 pm • Shabbat Service, Saturdays 1:15 pm Streaming available on YouTube, Rumble, MTOI App, and mtoi.org

There are a number of important elements in parsha “Ki Tavo” (Deuteronomy 26:1 – 29:8) — but it’s probably known for being the most daunting collection of curses in the Bible. And — again — that puts it, arguably, at the heart of the destruction of Western Civilization. Is that deserved? Mark Call, of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship, begins to lay out the issue in the Erev Shabbat reading: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SSM-8-28-26-Ki-Tavo-teaching-podcast-xxx.mp3 The words ‘ki tavo,’ are translated from the Hebrew as “when you have come” – into the land. And those curses certainly apply there. And one of the specific consequences is ‘shalach’ – or being “sent out.” Exiled. And that has happened – to BOTH kingdoms. And it REMAINS the case to this day. So – do the curses still apply? Or not? And don’t miss the irony in the fact that some who say, “of COURSE not” – because “the law is done away with” – probably should be paying more attention. NOTE: ‘Curses’ are another one of those topic that tends to upset people. Particularly when they hit close to home, and Mark again pulls no punches. Neither does Scripture, of course. “Ki Tavo: Most Curses in the Whole Bible – Does it MATTER?” https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WT-CooH-8-28-26-Ki-Tavo-Curses-Public-private-and-by-acquiescence-podcast-xxx.mp3 Service information: Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked. Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central) Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday). email: mark@markniwot.com The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:

Donna was born in Ringgold, Louisiana on June 26, 1955. She has been a life long resident of Louisiana and currently resides in Denham Springs, Louisiana near the state capital city of Baton Rouge,  home of Louisiana State University, LSU, geaux Tigers! She is a retired Professor of Nursing and is also a Family Nurse Practitioner. Donna was raised on a farm in Northwest Louisiana in Natchitoches Parish. She has four grown sons and one granddaughter. She accepted Yeshua as her Lord and Savior at the age of 9. She and her husband Jeff were high school sweethearts. Jeff was called to the ministry and she served as a Southern Baptist pastors' wife for 20 years. She is no longer married and 13 years ago the Lord called her into the Messianic Community. She is an active member of Beth Hallel in Mandeville, Louisiana. She loves to travel and meet people especially Russian Jews. Her hobbies are singing, messianic dancing, swimming, and learning foreign languages such as Russian and Hebrew.

Mark Call takes a look back at some of the major news stories, and scams, of the week ending 29 August, 2026. And there are more than a few lessons in there this week, if we’re paying attention…

This show has examined the questions of “WHY?” to ‘come out of her,’ for years, and “HOW?” for almost as long. The urgency of understanding both has certainly be demonstrated of late, and for quite some time before that by those with ‘eyes to see.’ And the list of REASONS has simply gotten longer. But that has just made certain elements of the WHAT ever more clear. Like the Mark of the Beast, just for one of the Easy Ones. This week, Mark tackles a tougher issue. One that might even seem depressing, if we didn’t already know Who we serve, and His promises that follow. “The Republic of the USA is long dead. Get OVER Getting Over It…”

News and commentary for Thursday, 27 August, 2026.

News and commentary for Wednesday, 26 August, 2026.

The Torah promises in Parashat Ki-Tabo (28:10), "All the nations of the earth will see that the Name of G-d is called upon you, and they will be afraid of you." Targum Yonatan Ben Uziel explains that this refers to the Tefillin Shel Rosh, which we proudly wear upon our heads. The Torah promises that when the enemies of the Jewish People see the Tefillin on our heads, they will be gripped by fear and will no longer try to inflict harm on us. How does this work? How will the sight of the Tefillin instill fear within our enemies? The Kol Aryeh answers this question by developing the symbolic meaning of the Tefillin Shel Rosh. The Tefillin Shel Rosh features a knot in the back, from which two straps extend along the front of a person's body – one to the right and one to the left. The right side is always associated with Hesed – G-d's kindness, whereas the left side represents Din – judgment. For this reason, it is customary for the right Tefillin strap to extend longer than the left strap, reflecting our desire for an abundance of Hesed. One who sees the front of a person sees two separate, seemingly disconnected, straps. Outwardly, Hesed and Din are two distinct phenomena. Some events and experiences appear as Hesed, manifestations of G-d's kindness, whereas others seem like pure Din – harsh judgment. However, when the Tefillin Shel Rosh is viewed from the back, it becomes clear that both straps come from the same source, from the knot on the back of the head. The knot of the Tefillin symbolizes the belief that in truth, Hesed and Din are one and the same, that everything Hashem does is for the best, and for our ultimate benefit, even if sometimes it causes us pain. The two "straps" are really one, because everything Hashem does is for the best. When Moshe was atop Mount Sinai, he asked, "Har'eni Na Et Kebodecha" – "Show me, please, Your glory" (Shemot 33:18). The Sages explained that Moshe wanted to understand the secret of G-d's governance, why the righteous occasionally suffer, whereas the evildoers occasionally enjoy good fortune. G-d responded, "Ve'ra'ita Et Ahorai" – that Moshe would be able to see Him "from the back" (33:23), which the Gemara (Berachot 7) explains to mean that Hashem showed Moshe the knot of His Tefillin. The answer to Moshe's question is the knot of the Tefillin Shel Rosh – the belief that there is no distinction between what we perceive as bad and what we perceive as good. Everything Hashem does is a manifestation of the greatest Hesed, even when we cannot understand how. This is why Halacha requires reciting Shema while wearing Tefillin. The opening verse of Shema declares, "Hashem Elokenu, Hashem Ehad." The Name of "Havaya" is associated with the attribute of Hesed, whereas the Name "Elokim" refers to divine judgment. The pronouncement "Hashem Elokenu, Hashem Ehad" means that both "Hashem" and "Elokenu" are "Hashe Ehad" – a single manifestation of G-d, an expression of kindness. Even "Elokim" is "Havaya"; even what appears to us as bad is the ultimate good. We must make this pronouncement while wearing our Tefillin – which expresses this fundamental tenet of Emuna (faith). With this background, we can return to the verse here in Parashat Ki-Tabo. In the future, the enemy nations will be shown how all the pain and sorrow they caused the Jewish Nation was actually to our benefit, a manifestation of Hashem's kindness. They will see that all their efforts to persecute us and defeat us actually helped us, and in fact led to the final redemption. They will see the "Tefillin Shel Rosh" – that both "straps" are really one, that even the misfortune that Am Yisrael experiences is in fact beneficial for us. And they will thus be overcome by fear and horror, recognizing that all their efforts had the precise opposite effect than they intended, that everything they did to hurt us was in fact helping us. The message for us is that we must reinforce our steadfast faith in Hashem's unlimited kindness, and repeatedly remind ourselves that "Hashem Elokenu, Hashem Ehad" – even the struggles and hardships of life are to our ultimate benefit. Although we cannot possibly understand in the present moment how this could be good, we must trust that in the future everything will become clear, and we will see with our eyes the "knot of the Tefillin," how everything Hashem did was for the best.

Send us Fan MailAs Abram enters the land of Canaan, the biblical story begins to narrow its focus—from the sweeping story of the nations to one man faithfully listening to and obeying the voice of God. His first stop is Shechem, at the Oak of Moreh, a place already associated with pagan worship and supernatural power. Yet Abram does not surrender this place to the gods of the nations; he builds an altar and worships the Lord there. In this episode, we explore why Shechem matters, how Abram's simple act of obedience begins a biblical pattern that echoes through the stories of Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, Israel's kings, and ultimately Jesus, and why paying attention to places and names can reveal connections modern readers often miss.

News and commentary for Tuesday, 25 August, 2026.

  The Time Traveler’s Quick Guide to Armageddon Part Four     And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Re 19:11-16) Our lesson on the battle of Armageddon, or Har Megiddo, will be deep this week, so deep that I cannot edit a simpler or quick version so please join us on this podcast  so we can unpack this herd of white horses with their riders as well as their commander. Feel free to take screen shots of the quick-guide charts. Please SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to get new teachings.  

Love and Torah – what's love got to do with it? This study series is based on the “Two Great Commands” – love Yahweh and love your neighbor. Picking up where we left off in the Gospel of John, chapter 15, Rabbi Steve Berkson picks up in verse 16, where he explains that Yeshua has chosen us to be part of His work here on earth. Even though He was speaking directly to His disciples, giving them instruction before He was about to be killed, His words can apply to us today if we allow ourselves to be discipled through His Holy Spirit and produce the fruit He expects to see. All that Rabbi Berkson has unpacked from John 15 is about love for one another in the way the Father expects us to love. We are called and chosen so that we are no longer part of the world and its ways. As we pull away from the world to follow Messiah and live according to Torah, we will experience disdain from others who do not understand Messiah or why we choose to follow Him. Rabbi Berkson once again dissects these passages so that you will have a deeper understanding of what Yah expects of you, so that you can do it and receive the blessings. mtoi.org The MTOI App https://mtoi.org/download-the-mtoi-app youtube.com/@mtoi facebook.com/mtoiworldwide instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide admin@mtoi.org (423) 250-3020 Join us LIVE (all times Eastern): • Torah Study, Fridays 7:30 pm • Shabbat Service, Saturdays 1:15 pm Streaming available on YouTube, Rumble, MTOI App, and mtoi.org

The Torah parsha known by the name “Ki Tetze” (Deuteronomy 21:10 through chapter 25) is – says Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship – arguably THE most NOT-PC portion in the entire Bible. And that fact alone makes it of vital interest – especially since the reason WHY is at the heart of the destruction of all Western Civilization. If ‘The Adversary,’ who “comes but to steal, kill, and destroy,” wanted to that – and he does – this is where it seems he started. The Erev Shabbat reading pretty well lays it out. And just about every line of it makes the point: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SSM-8-29-26-Ki-Tetzi-teaching-podcast-xxxx.mp3 The fact that every element of this part of the Word of YHVH is so utterly forbidden – even to talk about honestly, in many cases, but certainly to study for WHAT IT IS, is absolutely telling. To destroy society, clearly, start with the family. Marriage, and especially fatherhood, the concept of a righteous husband, and certainly, the dreaded ‘patriarchy.’ Then replace His Word, by “adding and subtracting” with perversion. And certainly, destroy anything left of His blessing of a productive economy with “inflation,” i.e., dishonest weights and measures: the debt-based “abomination” (His term!) of a fiat global reserve currency. The details are all here. They are – and have been – ignored not just to our detriment, but destruction. And it’s STILL ‘verbotten’ to even talk about. NOTE: For the obvious reasons, be warned. Mark pulls no punches when it matters most. This will, and should, upset even those who aren’t shocked by just how Big the Lie has been. “Ki Tetze: Why ‘hasatan’ and his minions – including the Whore Church – absolutely HATE this Instruction!” https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WT-CooH-8-21-26-Ki-Tetzi-Why-BOTH-HaSatan-AND-his-whore-Church-HATE-this-parsha-podcast-xxxx.mp3 Service information: Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked. Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central) Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday). email: mark@markniwot.com The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:

This week we concluded our Shema series by exploring what it means to love God with all our strength, discovering that following Jesus means joyfully placing everything we have, everything we can do, and everything we influence at his disposal in response to his grace.

A GER CAN MARRY HIS SISTER!?! I CAN SAY KADISH FOR CHARLIE KIRK!?! YOU HAVE TO WASH ON MILK AND COOKIES!!?? CAN I LEARN AFTER SAYING KRIYAT SHEMA AL HAMITA!? ARE YOU OBLIGATED TO WEAR RASHI AND RABEINU TAM TEFILIN!?

Tina was born to a teen Mom in Georgia. Early in her life she was a nurse. Most of her married life she was a stay at home mother, active in Christian schools her kids attended and also she was a Sunday school teacher. Tina was saved at age 32. It was a trip to Israel with First Dallas Baptist church in 2014 where everything came together like a puzzle that was waiting to be finished. She loves Israel and the Jewish people, and shares the good news of Yeshua to anyone she meets. She and her husband have visited Israel every year since 2014.  Tina has been married for 47 years to Santosh Collison, an Engineer from India and they have three children and two grandkids. 

It’s not a ‘black pill’ to be realistic, and see what is coming. But it gives a vital perspective. “No EARTHLY Hope…”

Mark Call and David Justice discuss some of the major news of the week, where – in pretty much any direction you turn – there are Big Lies being outed. But – is it already too late? Arguably – and they discuss that – for a political solution, anyway.

Host Mark Call’s look back at some of the major news of the week, for 22 August, 2026, has a bit different “flavor” this week, because, he suggests, it’s not the individual stories that matter so much at this point – after all, we not only know they’re LYING, on just about every single front – but also that Big Brother really wants you dead. And as that becomes more and more undeniable, and imminent – it changes how we need to “view the world.” And our own places in it.

Nathan and Cameron explore one of Christianity's most challenging theological questions: How can Christians believe in one true God while also believing in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Beginning with a thought-provoking question from a 10-year-old reading Genesis 1–2, they unpack the meaning of “Let us make man in our image,” the Hebrew word Elohim, biblical monotheism, henotheism, progressive revelation, and the development of Trinitarian theology. They discuss whether Moses was a monotheist, how the Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding the Trinity, why the word “Trinity” does not appear in Scripture, and how Christians can faithfully wrestle with difficult biblical passages without forcing simplistic answers. Nathan and Cameron also explore the relationship between divine revelation and human understanding, the role of mystery in Christian theology, and why the Trinity is something Christians reason from rather than reason to. With references to Genesis, the Shema, the prophets, Jesus, the New Testament, Colossians, Hebrews, and historic Christian doctrine, this conversation offers parents, students, pastors, and curious Christians a thoughtful framework for understanding the nature of God, biblical interpretation, and the mystery of the Trinity.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate  BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speaker JOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect  TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

Matt's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/post_post_modern_theology/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@postpost-moderntheologyWas the Apostle Paul a false prophet who corrupted the original teachings of Jesus?In this episode, I'm joined by Matt from Post Postmodern Theology to take on one of the oldest—and increasingly popular—attacks on the New Testament: the claim that Paul created a different Christianity than Jesus, James, Peter and the original apostles.We examine the supposed contradictions between Paul and James on faith and works, Paul's teaching on meat sacrificed to idols, the Jerusalem Council, the early Church's acceptance of Paul's writings, and Peter's remarkable comments about Paul's letters.We also go deeper into the identity of Jesus, James calling Christ the “Lord of Glory,” Hebrews 1, the Shema, Jesus' declaration before the high priest, and what the earliest Christians actually believed about Christ.Was Paul preaching “Paulianity”—or was he faithfully carrying the Gospel entrusted to the apostles?This one gets deep.Subscribe to JT Follows JC for more conversations on Scripture, early Christianity, biblical history and the questions most churches won't touch.The episode specifically argues that early Christians and figures associated with the apostolic generation accepted and quoted Paul's writings rather than treating him as an enemy of the apostles.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jt-s-mix-tape--6579902/support.Please support our sponsor Modern Roots Life: https://modernrootslife.com/?bg_ref=rVWsBoOfcFPatreon: https://patreon.com/JT_Follows_JC?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkJESUS SAID THERE WOULD BE HATERS: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/mens-shirts/JT's Hats: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/hats/Coaching Program: https://www.echoesoftruthnetwork.com/joinTelegram Group: https://t.me/jtsmixtapeNew Trucker Hat: https://www.shopmmca.com/shop/p/jt-follows-jc-hat

Deuteronomy 6:4 is one of the Bible's foundational texts. "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." Theologically, this verse is foundational because it teaches monotheism — the existence of only one true God. Spiritually, however, the verse is foundational because it identifies a necessary practice of faith — listening. The Hebrew verb for "listen" is "shema", and it appears 1,165 times in the Old Testament. "Shema" connotes not only the passive action of hearing, but also the active response of heeding or listening with obedience. Listening is also important in the New Testament. There, a foundational text is James 1:19. "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Dr. Don Lichi about best practices pastors can employ to actively listen to other people … and to God. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Dr. Don Lichi is a licensed psychologist with over four decades and 53,000 clinical hours of experience. He is vice president emeritus of Emerge Counseling Ministries and clinical director of Safety Forces Support Center, which provides mental health services to area first responders.  Sponsor AdThis episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of Autism in the Church. Make your church a place where everyone belongs. Many congregations feel unprepared to walk beside individuals with autism and their loved ones. Autism in the Church equips churches to create an environment where individuals with autism are not just present, but known, discipled, and celebrated as vital parts of the body of Christ. For more information about Autism in the Church visit GospelPublishingHouse.com. Show Notes 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 02:24 —  Why does Christian ministry require pastors to listen, not just speak? 09:06 —  How can listening help Christians foster better interpersonal relationships? 10:54 — Is there a difference between "hearing" and "listening"? And if there is, how do we pay attention so that our hearing becomes listening? 15:26 — What are some ways that our posture can signal, "I am listening"? 20:42 — What are some ways that our follow-up questions can signal we are listening? 33:52 — How do we listen reflectively, or mirror back what we are hearing? 38:29 — How does what we've talked about so far help us to develop the habit of listening to God speak to us in day-to-day life? 46:14 — What are you reading right now that's interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 49:01 — Conclusion

Every culture has a value system that is shaped by core beliefs, and western civilization is no exception. Whether you believe in biblical Christianity or not, you have been fundamentally shaped by its ideas. In this episode we'll investigate one of those ideas and how it has impacted the freedoms we take for granted.View series on PursueGOD.org: Pursuit (Series)--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now--Every culture has a value system that is shaped by core beliefs, and western civilization is no exception. Whether you believe in biblical Christianity or not, you have been fundamentally shaped by its ideas. In this lesson we'll investigate one of those ideas and how it has impacted the freedoms we take for granted.Very GoodOf all God's creation in Genesis 1, human beings seem to stand out the most. Read it for yourself: first God created day and night, land and sea. Later he created plants and trees, followed by fish and birds and animals. After all of this creative work, God declared that “it is good”. But he wasn't done. On the final day of creation, after everything was in place and the whole world was prepared, God created human beings. That's when he updated his assessment of his handiwork:‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:31‬ Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.What is it about human beings that got a “very good” from the Creator when everything else was merely called “good”? The answer is found in the latin words Imago Dei, a concept first seen a few verses earlier:Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us….”In God's image. Imago Dei. From the first chapter in the Bible, humanity is dignified, not debased. People are different from trees and toads and tadpoles because only human beings are made “in the image of God.” This means we are like God in certain ways, such as mentally (we have the capacity to think and create), relationally (we were designed to be in relationship with others) and spiritually (there's a part of us that lives forever). Imago Dei is also a reference to humanity's responsibility to “reign” and represent God to the rest of creation.So human beings are the crowning achievement of God's creation, the masterpiece of his creativity. This gives every human being inherent value and dignity, and it's the key to understanding God's attitude toward the world. More than anything else in all of creation, people matter to God.Life, Liberty, HappinessImago Dei is the basis for blessing all of mankind in the most practical way: it opens the door to the freedoms we have come to expect. The greatest political experiment in history started in 1776 when 56 brave men signed their names to the Declaration of Independence. The inspiration for that moment can be traced to the biblical concept of Imago Dei. Consider those famous words:“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”The Founding Fathers recognized that there was an authority higher than an English monarch, a human government, or even a group of revolutionaries. God himself was seen as the source of all human rights, and it's because of Imago Dei that those courageous men made their claim to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.Consider the right to life. Where does this come from in the Bible? God makes it clear in his instructions to Noah, and the message should sound familiar:Genesis 9:6 If anyone takes a human life, that person's life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.Human life is sacred, according to the Bible, because man is made in the image of God. This concept is built into every one of us, which is why we are moved to compassion and righteous anger when we hear stories of the holocaust or see the senseless murder of innocent victims in our day.And what about the right to “liberty?” This concept is remarkably new to human history, as the vast majority of civilizations failed to offer individual personal freedoms. Even some modern regimes have overlooked this basic right on their way to brutalizing their own citizens. Yet God himself modeled an open-handed style of leadership toward Adam:Genesis 2:16-17 But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden — except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”From the very beginning, God blessed Adam and Eve with every good thing, and then he gave them the liberty to make their own choices, for better or for worse. The self-evident right to individual liberty comes from the God of the Bible.And then there's the “pursuit of happiness” – a concept that is uniquely rooted in the Christian ethic. Many people today view God as a cosmic killjoy, a grumpy old man determined to make our lives miserable. Indeed, misery has been the reality for most of humanity, and many religions are built around explaining its existence. But Christianity is a faith filled with optimism, captured best in Paul's commandment to the church at Philippi:Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!Long before the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, God invited all people to experience life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And remarkably his invitation extends to all of humanity, not just his followers – because he has made all of us in his image.A Purpose in LifeImago Dei also helps us to answer a timeless question: what is the meaning of life? God's nature provides a clue. Because God is love (1 John 4:16) – and we are made in his image – our purpose is to love. Jesus himself made this clear one day to a group of spiritual leaders. They asked him to identify the most important of the Ten Commandments, and his answer caught them off guard:Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”In answering their question, Jesus intentionally avoided naming any of the Ten Commandments. Instead, he cited the “Shema” – the framing idea behind all of the commandments. He was making a point: humans are built for relationships, not for rules. The religious leaders were focused on laws; Jesus was focused on love.Consider the order Jesus prescribes in the verses above: love God, love others, love yourself. This was a radically new religious idea in Jesus' day, and it flows from Imago Dei. Being created in the image of God means you have the capacity for a real relationship with the God who created you. This relationship transforms your whole way of relating to others, and so you are able to practically love your neighbor. And ultimately you are given permission to love yourself – because your value comes from who you are, not from what you've done.Imago Dei, then, gives every human dignity. It provides the basis for all human rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And it inspires us with a purpose: to love God, others, and even ourselves.

News and commentary for Tuesday, 18 August, 2026.

News and commentary for Wednesday, 19 August, 2026.

¿Le sirves a Dios con todo… o a medias? En este quinto mensaje de la serie El Shema de Jesús, el pastor Otoniel Font, de la Iglesia Fuente de Agua Viva, lanza un reto directo: a Dios se le sirve con todo o con nada, pero nunca a la mitad. A partir de la historia real de Eric Liddell (Carros de Fuego), el corredor que se negó a competir un domingo y aun así ganó el oro, descubrirás el poder de honrar a Dios sin condiciones: "A los que me honran, yo honraré" (1 Samuel 2: 30). Aprende las cuatro formas de amar a Dios según el Shema —con todo tu corazón (tu lealtad), con toda tu alma (tu identidad), con todas tus fuerzas (tus recursos) y con toda tu mente (tus intenciones)— y cómo las cuatro negociaciones de Faraón nos enseñan a no entregarle al mundo ni una pezuña.  Una frase para tu semana: con todo.

News and commentary for Monday, 17 August, 2026.

Love and Torah – what's love got to do with it? This study series is based on the “Two Great Commands” – love Yahweh and love your neighbor. Continuing in the book of 1 John, Rabbi Steve Berkson begins this teaching in chapter 5, where John tells us that belief in Messiah Yeshua and all that comes with it does not come from us, but that belief, knowledge, and relationship have been birthed in us from above. In verses 2 and 3, Rabbi Berkson points out that, again, love is connected to Torah Observance and that the commandments of Yahweh are not heavy or burdensome. In verse 4, John calls us who believe overcomers. Born of Elohim and given the ability to have a relationship with Messiah Yeshua, we overcome the world through that belief. Rabbi Berkson clarifies what overcoming the world looks like – we see things and respond to challenges in our lives differently than the world does. Moving on, Rabbi Berkson takes us to the Gospel of John, the same writer, a different book, to link what we learned from 1 John with what is conveyed in the gospel writing. Yeshua speaks metaphorically of our relationship with Him and the Father, using vines, branches, and a gardener who cares for the whole thing. Rabbi Berkson once again dissects these passages so that you will have a deeper understanding of what Yah expects of you, so that you can do it and receive the blessings. mtoi.org The MTOI App https://mtoi.org/download-the-mtoi-app youtube.com/@mtoi facebook.com/mtoiworldwide instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide admin@mtoi.org (423) 250-3020 Join us LIVE (all times Eastern): • Torah Study, Fridays 7:30 pm • Shabbat Service, Saturdays 1:15 pm Streaming available on YouTube, Rumble, MTOI App, and mtoi.org

Listen to this week's sermon, Co-Mission of Love preached by Pastor Kenneth Dyches from Deuteronomy 6:1-15.

These verses called the Shema, which means to "hear," were foundational to Israel's relationship with Yahweh as a nation and as individuals, just as they are for us today.  It commanded Israel and commands us to acknowledge His oneness, love Him completely with our entire being, live His commands, diligently teach them to our children, and incorporate them into daily life. The most important question we can ask ourself each day..."Is loving God at the center of my life?" By Dave Bartlett

Join us for an incredible message from Illinois Student Ministries Director, Pastor Chris Stanley.

John Gomez was raised in a non Jewish home. Although raised Catholic, he later became involved in a Baptist church. Sometime during the pandemic, he discovered Messianic music and was very moved when he heard the words to Marty Goetz's song  He is My Defense.John became very interested in the Messianic movement. He went through a difficult time when his father passed away, but God strengthened him.  John also had the opportunity to go to Israel with Sharshalom Israel (Jeff and Barry Seif.). He was there for 10 days and it completely changed his life.Today he serves at Victory First Church of God of TexasCity.

The Torah commands in Parashat Shoftim (Debarim 23:15), "Ve'haya Mahanecha Kadosh" – "Your camp shall be sacred." The Gemara (Shabbat 150a) interprets the word "camp" in this verse as a reference to any place used for prayer or Torah study, such that the Torah here instructs us to ensure that any such place must be clean, without filth, to preserve the sanctity of our prayers and Torah learning. Accordingly, it is strictly forbidden to even silently think Torah matters in an unclean place, such as the restroom. It goes without saying that one may not speak Torah matters in the restroom. The severity of this prohibition is expressed by the Gemara elsewhere, in Masechet Berachot (24b), in regard to the prohibition against reciting Shema in a place with exposed sewage. The Gemara applies to a person who does not discontinue his reading when encountering filth a number of harsh warnings in the Prophets, condemning those who desecrate the Misvot. Conversely, the Gemara teaches, those who observe this command, and refrain from engaging in sacred matters when in the presence of filth, are rewarded with longevity. In order to avoid thinking of Torah matters in the restroom, it is proper for one to actively think about other matters, such as his finances, his business or his work responsibilities. On Shabbat, when one must avoid thoughts about such matters, as they induce stress, one should try while using the restroom to think of pleasant matters such as aesthetically pleasing things that he has recently seen, and the like. One must not think about or study in the restroom things that may evoke thoughts of Torah. Thus, for example, one must not study Hebrew grammar in the restroom, as this will invariably lead to thoughts about the Biblical origins of different words. It is likewise forbidden to read Hebrew poetry in the bathroom, as much of Hebrew poetry draws upon passages from the Tanach and rabbinic literature. One may read secular newspapers in the restroom. Religious newspapers may be read only if they do not contain words of Torah. For this reason, some religious newspapers in Israel present Torah materials in a separate insert, so the paper itself may be brought into the restroom. The Poskim debate the question of whether one may contemplate the six constant Misvot while in the restroom, such as the belief in G-d, the oneness of G-d, and the fear of G-d. The Lebusheh Mordechai (Rav Mordechai Yehuda Leib Winkler, Hungary, 1844-1932) ruled that this is forbidden. The Sitz Eliezer (Rav Eliezer Waldenberg, Jerusalem 1915-2006) agreed with this ruling, asserting that although one must certainly have these beliefs in one's mind at all times, he should not consciously think about them while in the restroom. By contrast, the Hochmat Shlomo (Rav Shlomo Kluger, 1785-1869) allowed contemplating G-d's existence while in the restroom, and Rav Haim Kanievsky concurred with this ruling, adding that one must avoid thinking about any verses or Torah texts in the process. Ideally, one should spend his time in the restroom contemplating his own lowliness. These moments are a perfect opportunity for a person to work on his humility, as he recognizes his limitations. Indeed, the Maggid – the angel that taught Torah to Maran Rav Yosef Karo, author of the Shulhan Aruch – instructed him to contemplate his lowliness while using the restroom. If one is the middle of studying a complex, intricate Torah topic when he experiences a need to use the restroom, he should go to the restroom without delay, and make an effort to avoid thinking about the material he is studying. If one enters a public restroom and sees his fellow doing something forbidden, he may tell him that he must discontinue the behavior. One example might be seeing somebody trimming his hair in the restroom during the afternoon of Ereb Pesach, when haircutting is forbidden. Telling the person to stop cutting his hair does not violate the prohibition against speaking Torah matters in the restroom. The Mishna Berura writes that in such a case, one should not state explicitly that the action is forbidden, as he would then be articulating a Halacha in the restroom. He should instead say, "This is not done," or "You must stop," etc. Other Poskim, however, allow explicitly stating that the act is forbidden, and the Mishna Berura himself brings this lenient position. One may rely on this lenient view, especially if otherwise the fellow might not understand that he is acting in a forbidden manner. When designing a synagogue, care should be taken to ensure that the restroom is not near the sanctuary or study hall, for two reasons – so that the odor from the restroom does not reach the sanctuary or study hall, and so that people using the restroom do not hear the prayers or words of Torah. If, for whatever reason, the restroom is situated near the sanctuary or study hall, a person who needs the restroom may nevertheless use it, and should make an effort to divert his attention away from the prayers or words of Torah that are being spoken nearby. This discussion is important not only for the actual Halachot that must be observed, but also because of the underlying assumption that one's mind is naturally inclined to think about Torah matters. The Poskim addressed this topic at length precisely because they deemed it natural for a person's mind to be occupied with Torah thoughts, thus necessitating a concentrated effort to avoid such thoughts in the restroom or in the presence of filth. The requirement to avoid Torah thoughts in the restroom should remind us of the requirement to keep our minds occupied with Torah the rest of the time, to make Torah study a priority in our lives and devote our free time to Torah learning, so that it is what fills our mind.

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Listen to this week's sermon, Community of Love preached by Rev. Benjamin Kandt from Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 7:6-9.

In Luke 9:18–26, Jesus calls His followers to take up their cross daily and surrender their lives to Him. Through the Hebrew word nephesh, we discover that loving God with all our soul means offering our whole selves — our lives, bodies, and everyday choices — to the One who gave everything for us.

Dolly grew up in a secular home and later learned of her Jewish heritage.  At the age of 17, during the Jesus Revolution, she was introduced to Yeshua at a youth meeting.  Dolly has been a licensed Pastor and currently is studying to be a Certified Mental Health Counselor.  She and her husband of 40 years have served as Childrens Pastors, Shabbat School Coordinators and Youth Teachers and Leaders.  She is currently Women's Leader at Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue in Tampa where she and Don have attended for 25 years.  Her passion is to point and exhort others to a deeper more intimate walk with Yeshua and to be a bridge of understanding between the church and the Messianic Community. 

Host Mark Call introduces the theme this week with a bit of musing: Have you noticed that there is a tendency for the propagandists – the politicians – ‘the world’ – to ‘pooh-pooh’ the things that might sound “supernatural,” or even “Biblical,” and reduce them, by stages, to something that doesn’t even admit to a real Creator? Even things that Scripture warns against, that might even be called “UN-natural” are being ‘paganized down’ to the point at which propagandists, and politicians, and pitiable preachers, claim that they’re OK, if you ignore a Biblical worldview. While what was clearly described in prophecy, and might otherwise be thought “supernatural,” is also explained away, to the point where any input from a Creator can be discounted. Meanwhile – men work hard to build a Better God, that they can’t even seem to keep in their box. Does there come a time when some can’t help but recognize a line has been crossed? “When the Jig Is UP…”

Naruči svoj primerak Kosogor Metod kartica - https://ivankosogor.com/#metod Branislava je psihološkinja i psihoterapeutkinja koja ima bogato iskustvo u radu sa decom i odraslima. Edukovana je u različitim psihoterapijskim školama i modalitetima: REBT, Integrativna transakciona analiza, ACT, EMDR, Shema, Somatic experience therapy, Logoterapija.

News and commentary for Thursday, 6 August, 2026.

News and commentary for Wednesday, 5 August, 2026.

News and commentary for Tuesday, 4 August, 2026.

Did you know that when Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He quoted straight from Deuteronomy 6, what was widely known as the, “Shema”? It was the most critical piece of theology in all of ancient Israel. Everyone knew it; everyone memorized it. - It  begins with, “Hear O Israel!” and I believe without a doubt, that is a great place to start! In a world filled with endless distractions and competing voices, how do we recognize the voice of the Lord? And more importantly… are we truly listening? We discover why hearing God's voice is the foundation of our relationship with Him and why the very first word of the Shema still speaks powerfully to all believers today. Email Us:  info@heartofworshipchurch.com Visit Our Website:  www.heartofworshipchurch.com #Shema #greatestcommandment #Hear

News and commentary for Monday, 3 August, 2026.

The Time Traveler’s Quick Guide to Armageddon       Over the last several months, we have done some deep dives into the principalities and powers in high places, the beast kingdoms, and then more particularly, into the kings of the east, another category that intersects with the beast kingdoms, including the Persian bear.   In term of their proto-prophecies in the Torah, we’ve been all over the place because prophecy is cyclical, even though not identical, from generation to generation. When we read of events in the Psalms, Writings, Prophets, and New Testament, the writers expect us to already be familiar with those proto-prophecies.   It was important to establish the earmarks of the battles with the kings of the east in Torah because Adonai declares the end from the beginning. If we want to have the basic understanding of the sixth and seventh bowls of wrath in the end and how they lure in the nations to Armageddon (Har-Megiddo), then we familiarize ourselves with them at the beginning:   “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east. And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”)   And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.   Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.” And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.” (Re 16:12-18)   Har is “mountain,” and Megiddo is “a place of crowds,” so important in its military situation that it has been destroyed and built over numerous times. It overlooks the Jezreel Valley's flat, agriculturally fertile abundance as well as the road to the Western Sea, or Mediterranean, an excellent place to monitor the coastal trade route that connected continents from ancient times. John prophesies of a final crowd that will be drawn to this ancient hill in the ol’ breadbasket of Israel.   Rather than review some of the many points from our Heaven Shaking the Bear series, I will use them to augment some additional points in this newsletter. You can always go back and access the transcripts (thank you, volunteers!) or videos for little details, such as why even Canaanite kings are considered kings of the east. I'd rather add some new information for your handy time travel guide to Armageddon. We'll be half Marty McFly and half Indiana Jones on our hunt for clues to Armageddon.   Let's take a seat in our time machine, the Word, and travel back to our familiar story in Judges 4-5, the story of Deborah, Barak, and Sisera with his 900 iron chariots. A little clue is in Sisera's 900 chariots. It links the ancient with the future. Nine hundred years (plus some) is the typical age of the pre-flood notables from Adam to Noah. In human history, they are the ancients. It was an era marked by the rebellion of the “sons of Elohim” who provoked human beings to such a violence.   Sisera's chariots were iron, denoting the Roman beast kingdom that is mingled with clay in the feet of his image. In other words, something of Deborah's story will establish a template for understanding the final defeat of the Red One, who appears in Revelation as the chosen steed for the Great Harlot Babylon. The nine-hundred-year era of the days of Noah and its violence will link to the end time of Armageddon.   Every time I see the word “Babylonian,” my mind says, “babaloney.” Don't know why. But ick.   Okay, now let's power up the time machine. We need to visit Abraham's time during the battle for Sodom among the kings of the east, the Covenant Between the Pieces, and then visit Moses in the wilderness.   Ready? Push the Abraham button. It might say, Avram, but you'll recognize it. Here we go.   Wait, wait. First, tape a copy of Judges 4-5 and a map of Israel on your steering wheel. We'll need to compare what we see with the first battle of Armageddon that Deborah fought against Sisera to our past future locations.   Okay, here we come, Abrahamic period. We are landing among the four kings of the east, led by Amraphel (perhaps Nimrod), who marched through and defeated territories east of the Jordan. The five kings of the Sodom coalition have quit paying their taxes, so the four kings are on their way to collect plus interest.   Even though those cities of Sodom are situated mostly to the east of the Salt Sea, after the four kings first march and defeat cities east of the Jordan and in the highlands of Bashan, they are continuing as far as the Negev near Kadesh, En-Mishpat, and Hazazon-Tamar. By bypassing the Sodom coalition cities, the four kings are giving the five kings time to muster before the four kings turn back east and meet them near the Salt Sea in battle. Do you see this? Inexplicably, Sodom's five kings are falling into tar pits! Shouldn't they know about those tar pits? After all, this is their territory! How strange!   And there goes Lot and his family as captives. And there…someone escapes and runs to tell Abraham. Okay, we don't have to follow them up to Damascus. We know how this ends. Check your Judges 4-5 Scriptures and map. They're taped to your steering wheel, remember?   Something similar happened to Sisera's iron chariot. Like Pharaoh drove his chariots into the Reed Sea and there his chariot wheels became “confused,” so Sisera drove his chariots into the mud of the Kishon, which he should have known about because he was a Canaanite.   Although Pharaoh was not a “king of the east,” he is the dragon, and his authority was passed to them. This suggests that our soggy bottom boys are experiencing a Divine intervention, not just a human battle. Something flies in their brains, stings them, and causes confusion…perhaps the tzirah, the supernatural hornet of Moses and Joshua?   The tzirah went before the armies of Israel, and it helped Moses conquer on the east side of the Jordan and Joshua on the west side of the Jordan. It first causes confusion, and then it cuts off root and fruit. It is the supernatural bug described as being released from the King of Abaddon in Revelation.   Not so coincidentally, Deborah's name means “bee” in Hebrew, and “hornet” in Aramaic. The root of her name is “word,” as in Devarim, the fifth book of the Torah and perhaps the most apocalyptic since it is the little scroll of Torah. There was a reason Barak would not take his soldiers into battle without her; she represented the Divine power of the Word going before them!   How does Deborah know to tell Barak that he needs exactly 10,000 soldiers mustered from a place named “Kedesh”?   Deborah judged Israel under the “palm tree of Deborah.” A palm tree is a tamar:   “She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel came up to her for judgment (mishpat ????????????).”   Can you see Deborah studying the scrolls of Torah? Those scrolls are rolling her right into the time of Avraham, and she sees the conquests of Moses and Joshua in the wilderness, such as Amalek. She recognizes the conquests of the four kings as having the same names that are in the hill country of Ephraim near Har-Megiddo: From Kadesh to Kedesh. From Hazazon-Tamar to the tamar providing her shade to read the scroll. From En-Mishpat to her job rendering mishpat for Israel.   We know Deborah has spent time scroll-rolling back to Abraham's time because she mentions something specific in her Judges Five song. The Song of Deborah mentions the courage of the tribe of Ephraim in the defeat of Sisera's chariots:   “From Ephraim, those whose root is in Amalek came down…”   If you need to, program in “Amalek in the Wilderness,” and travel there to see a bit of the battle. This “root in Amalek” is thought to refer to the wilderness battle under Moses in which the Ephraimite Joshua defeated Amalek. The tribe of Ephraim is rooted in its leadership in the victory in the wilderness in Israel's first encounter with Amalek.   Deborah knows Amalek is enticed to attack when its opponent looks weak, so that gives her a Divine strategy in enticing this king of the east Sisera to his Armageddon. Okay, now travel back to the battle between the four kings and the five kings. The four kings of the east also conquered Amalek before turning back to battle the five kings of Sodom.   While the battle continues, let's return to this question (you already know how that battle ends): How does Deborah know to tell Barak that he needs exactly 10,000 soldiers mustered from a place named “Kedesh”?   We've only partially answered it. And our answer is based on the battle between bad kings of the east vs worse kings of the east. We don't want to take this as the only source of Deborah's inspired strategy to lure Sisera to Har-Megiddo. Deborah is scrolling through the rolls of the Torah, and she must have some even better prophecies on which she bases her battle with Sisera. Let's leave these guys for Avraham to deal with and travel forward and back to Deborah's palm tree for more clues.   Yes, time travelers. Next week we'll go back to the future with Deborah and spend some more time with Avraham and Moses. There must be a connection between Deborah's forty years of peace in Israel and Moses' forty years in the wilderness. Deborah has the handy traveler's guide to help her map it all out. We'll see her secret of selecting 10,000, and we might even take a peek inside Yael's tent to find that she knew the Torah, and it guided her hand when she drove the tent peg into Sisera's head.   Oh, dear, oh dread. Sandals muddy like heavy lead. Some yogurt he was fed. Then he went to bed. Now Sisera is dead. A tent peg's in his head.   Okay, Deborah is better at composing songs than I am. I gave it a shot. Roll your time travel machines to Judges 4-5, and we'll see you next week.   Please SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to get new teachings.

Love and Torah – what's love got to do with it? This study series is based on the “Two Great Commands” – love Yahweh and love your neighbor.