Podcasts about shema

Sunday Service (2/22/26) // Revelation 13: 15-18 (ESV) // The Second Beast // 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave,[a] to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.[b]Footnotesa. Revelation 13: 16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Prefaceb. Revelation 13: 18 Some manuscripts 616The video addresses common misconceptions and provides a theological interpretation of the Mark of the Beast as described in Revelation 13:15-18 (0:00-0:53). Pastor Daniel emphasizes the importance of understanding this biblical truth within its proper context, despite the confusion and speculation it often generates (0:56-1:23).Here are the key takeaways from the sermon:Context of Revelation 13 (1:31-4:00): The passage describes the "second beast" (the Antichrist) who will enforce worship of the "first beast" and implement a system of control, ultimately leading to the "mark of the beast."The Idolatrous Image (7:00-10:20): The sermon highlights that the image of the beast will be uniquely animated and able to speak, unlike previous biblical idols. This animation, whether technological or supernatural, will compel worship and has the authority to kill those who refuse.Worship Driven by Terror vs. Grace (11:28-16:20): A stark contrast is drawn between the Antichrist's coerced worship, driven by fear and threat of death, and the true Christ's invitation to worship, which is motivated by love, grace, and sacrifice. The video emphasizes that God's ultimate disposition towards humanity is grace, as seen in the closing verse of Revelation (15:33-16:20).Spiritual Significance of the Mark (18:54-25:30): The mark of the beast is primarily understood as a spiritual inversion and perversion of God's command for complete devotion, as outlined in Deuteronomy 6 (the Shema). It signifies full allegiance to the Antichrist, influencing thoughts and actions.Physical Consequences of the Mark (25:31-32:42): Beyond symbolism, the mark has undeniable physical implications, serving as a required universal identification system that controls economic activity. Those without the mark will be unable to buy or sell, leading to severe persecution and pressure to conform. The pastor contrasts this with God's provision for all, even those who reject Him.Clarification on the Mark (36:00-39:20): The sermon explicitly states that the mark of the beast is not a vaccine, internet service, or a day of worship. It will be totally recognizable and obvious, directly linked to the conscious worship of a man and participation in a new world religion. You cannot accidentally take the mark.The Number 666 (40:05-47:49): While acknowledging the historical use of gematria to interpret 666, the video suggests that its full meaning will likely be revealed during the tribulation period. Symbolically, the number six represents man's imperfection and falling short of God's perfection (represented by seven). Triple six emphasizes the amplification of man's fallenness and the unholy trinity's efforts to defy God.⁠#Revelation⁠ ⁠#BookofRevelation⁠ ⁠#BibleStudy⁠ ⁠#BibleExplained⁠ ⁠#BiblicalStudies⁠ ⁠#BibleTeacher⁠ ⁠#WordOfGod⁠ ⁠#BiblicalLessons⁠ ⁠#BibleJournal⁠ ⁠#BibleReading⁠ ⁠#BibleStudyCommunity⁠ ⁠#BibleVerse⁠ ⁠#prophecy⁠ ⁠#prophetic⁠ ⁠#jerusalem⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Justice and Mark Call recap the major new events of the week, and more of the incredible revelations.

Mark Call takes a look back at some of the most important news, with no shortage of commentary, for the week, and the month, ending 28 February, 2026. The perfidy, however, seems never-ending. But it is coming to light.

News and commentary for Thursday, 26 February, 2026.

There is no doubt that events are “accelerating” toward some sort of climax. And it’s happening on a number of fronts – economic, political, legal, and even international war. Is “complete collapse” at hand? Or just inevitable, on at least one of those fronts? Lots of things COULD happen. And we know what WILL happen. Just not necessarily when. But we can put all of that together. And there are some very definite events and likelihoods that we need to understand.

News and commentary for Wednesday, 25 February, 2026. The State of the Union may be better than it was, but the continuing attack is very obvious.

News and commentary for Monday, 23 February, 2026.

One of the most important duties of all parents is to teach the Word of God to their children. Today, we're looking at a powerful passage that calls us to always be about the work of teaching God's Word to those around us. Join us for another important study in the Key Chapters of God's Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    Read over Deuteronomy 6:1-3, why is there such earnestness in these words? What attitude are Moses and the Lord exhorting God's people to have towards His Word? How much do these words match your devotion to God's Word? 2.    Why is this passage called the "Shema"? What does the word "Shema" even mean? 3.    The podcast mentioned that the last letter of the last word of Deuteronomy 6:4 is larger than normal. This is called a majuscule. What did it signify? 4.    What did the podcast say that ancient rabbis called this passage? How often is this passage recited by an observant Jew? Why? 5.    According to verse 5, what should our heart-attitude be towards the Lord? How does this verse demonstrate the interconnection of a heart, soul and strength? What were some ways suggested by the podcast for how we can develop this kind of love for the Lord? 6.    The podcast suggested that the phrase "upon your heart" in verse 6 was indicating that God's people ought to memorize His Word. Do you have a program for scripture memorization? If not, there are many phone apps that are great tools for verse memory. 7.    The NIV translation of verse 7 calls us to "impress" God's Word upon our children. The Hebrew word denotes patient labor and time. Why is it the parent's responsibility to teach God's Word to our children? How can our instruction help prepare them for the barrage of messages from the world? 8.    In verse 7, what do the phrases "sit", "walk", "lie down" and "rise up" indicate about the places where parents are to teach God's Word to their children? What do they indicate about the frequency? If you have children, what are some practical ways that you can faithfully obey this passage?  9.    How do observant Jews literally follow the instructions of verses 8 & 9? Why did the podcast suggest that this should be taken more metaphorically? What are some ways that Christians might follow the spirit of this verse? 10.    This passage teaches that parents have a special role in the spiritual instruction and guidance of their children. Why do parents have this special role? According to Deuteronomy 6, what is their responsibility in these matters? How will God help them as they seek to obey Him in these pursuits?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

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. As he begins this teaching, Rabbi Steve Berkson brings out the big guns, challenging you to understand and take action on what you really struggle with – you. • Why do you seem to struggle with your relationships and with yourself? Rabbi Berkson takes us to Philippians 2 to unpack what the Apostle Paul wrote to the assembly in Philippi about how they should conduct themselves in his absence. Paul exhorts those in that assembly to take on the mind of Messiah Yeshua, considering others better than themselves in humility and with awareness of others' needs. • Are you aware that what you do at any given moment may create an adverse condition for somebody else? • Are you giving to others and the Father the kind of attention necessary for a flourishing relationship? • What is meant by “leadership serving” and “submissive serving”? • What are the differences between unity, uniformity, and conforming? • Did Messiah Yeshua or His Apostles ever make the message of the Kingdom “palatable” for their listeners? • We all have our own emotional preferences, but when can those be a bad thing? • Are you the kind of person Yahweh can ‘trust' with forever? • Is there grumbling, complaining, and disputing in the Body of Messiah? Rabbi Berkson once again dissects the words in 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. https://mtoi.org The MTOI App https://mtoi.org/download-the-mtoi-app https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.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

Heaven is Shaking the Bear Iran in Prophecy This Week: The Bear Prince Dobiel and the Scroll Once again, as I'm gathering information and assembling Scripture for such a time as this, there is just enough time to prepare notes for the Shabbat lesson, but not enough time to edit a full newsletter teaching. Perhaps when it is complete, we can put together a transcript for those of you who prefer to read rather than listen. This Shabbat podcasr will be the next installment of Heaven Shaking the Persian Bear in which I plan to explain the pattern of the sky-scroll in Isaiah and Revelation along with a specific power awarded to Dobiel in the symbolic scroll...that could now be broken depending upon the outcome of the current conflict.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.

This gentle bedtime ritual draws on the ancient practice of Kriat Sh'ma al haMitah, the recitation of the Shema before sleep. As the day comes to a close, participants are guided to release what has been done and what remains undone, making space for rest, trust, and repair. Through breath, brief reflection, and softly spoken words from the Sh'ma and surrounding tradition, the practice invites a felt sense of protection, forgiveness, and surrender. It is not about belief or perfection, but about ending the day with presence and care—consciously returning what we carry, and placing the soul back in God's keeping so the body can fully rest. Ideal for anyone seeking a sacred, grounding close to the day and a more peaceful, wholehearted transition into sleep.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 21 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

Rabbi Resnick offers clear and to-the-point classes in plain English on the daily portion of Rambam's Mishneh Torah for the 3 chapters a day cycle.

A brief overview and summary of the daily portion of three chapters of Rambam's Mishnah Torah, as an aid to enhance the study and review of the day's Rambam.

Rabbi Resnick offers clear and to-the-point classes in plain English on the daily portion of Rambam's Mishneh Torah for the 3 chapters a day cycle.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 21 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

This week’s Torah portion from the annual cycle is a major ‘shift’ from the mainline story of the Exodus. After Moses heads up the mountain, for forty days and forty nights, the focus is now on getting ready to build something. And why? Why now? It’s almost like He knows something, before we get to that part of the story. It turns out, there’s even more to it than that. Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a provocative two-part look at parsha Terumah, Exodus chapter 25 through almost all of 27, which begins with the command from YHVH to “take for Me an OFFERING.” From a specific group of people, of a specific list of items, and for a specific purpose. The Erev Shabbat reading gives the details, of which there are many: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SSM-2-20-Terumah-teaching-podcast-x.mp3 The impressive level of detail is this description is certainly one of the most memorable aspects of this parsha. It’s also at the heart of what might even be called ‘controversy.’ Why so much detail about a mobile tent in the wilderness? After all, it was later replaced by the temple, twice, and destroyed, twice. Some will again even claim that it’s “Old” testament, and therefore ‘done away with’ – like those temples. We may have even heard it called “boring.” And yet, as Mark reminds us in the Sabbath day midrash, there is “no idle word” in His Torah. Teruman: “That ‘boring DETAIL’ is a Big Flashing Red HTML tag – if we see it” https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WT-CooH-2-21-Terumah-The-ATBASH-around-Idolatry-and-the-Golden-Calf-then-and-Now-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.

February 11, 2026 - Wednesday PM Bible Class This episode examines how Jesus uses the book of Deuteronomy throughout his life and ministry. Beginning with the wilderness temptation, the host shows how Jesus quotes Deuteronomy three times to resist Satan and succeeds where Israel failed — trusting God's provision, refusing to test God, and worshiping God alone. The episode then explores Jesus' citing of Deuteronomy 6:5 as the greatest commandment (the Shema), his extensive reworking of Deuteronomy passages in the Sermon on the Mount (deepening commandments such as "do not murder" and "do not commit adultery" to address anger, lust, and the heart), and his use of Deuteronomy in debates on divorce, emphasizing Moses' regulation to prevent injustice. Throughout, the speaker highlights context, original intent, and how Jesus fulfills Deuteronomy's purpose by moving from the letter of the law to its spirit, urging listeners to trust God's provision and let God's law shape the heart.   Duration 41:55

Originally from Montreal Quebec Canada, Susan moved to California, when she was 18 years old. She was raised Catholic, and found Yeshua in 1974 at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa with Chuck Smith and Romaine and Greg Laurie. She became Messianic about 24 years ago through her church Shiloh Messianic Congregation in Crestline.  In this interview, Susan shares how the Lord has helped her through the loss of her husband several months ago. The Lord has been her strength and joy and she shares the love of Yeshua everywhere she goes.

Shema - Hear, O Isreal | Adam Fears | February 22, 2026 | Fellowship Church | Poplar Bluff, MO

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 20 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

Rabbi Resnick offers clear and to-the-point classes in plain English on the daily portion of Rambam's Mishneh Torah for the 3 chapters a day cycle.

A Sermon for the First Sunday in Lent Ephesians 2:1-10 by The Rev'd Dr. Matthew Colvin             Week after week, I see Pastor Bill preaching the Bible to you on Sundays, and I want to commend him to you. I'm not sure you are aware how rare it is to have a pastor who does his own translation work in the Hebrew and Greek, and who attempts, with diligence and great effort, to read the text of the Bible anew, divide it up properly, and serve it to you. What matters to Pastor Bill in his preaching to you is what the Bible actually says — the actual point of the gospels' stories, or the actual meaning of the prophecies of the prophets, or the actual meaning of Paul's arguments in his letters — not what famous theologians have used the Bible to say, or what scholastic medieval philosophy says it can and cannot mean, or the way modern self-help gurus can use Bible verses out of context to tell a very different story. If you attend to the words delivered from this pulpit, you are being trained to understand the Bible on its own terms, rather than watching as a slick speaker uses the Bible to express his own ideas. The story needs to be your story; you are to think of yourself as a child of Abraham, as a sharer in Israel's Messiah, as someone in covenant with Israel's God. Since it is the first Sunday in Lent, we are confronted with the very first episode of Jesus' public ministry after his baptism by John the Baptist. This story has much to teach us about Jesus' work as the Messiah, the nature of his sufferings, and ultimately, the way we ought to think about God Himself. I want to start by thinking about what it means when the Messiah goes into the desert. In Acts 21, when Paul is arrested in Jerusalem, the Roman centurion is surprised that he knows Greek: “Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?" -Acts 21:38 (I joke to my Greek students that knowing Greek is handy if you are ever suspected of being a terrorist.) In Acts 5, Gamaliel mentioned Judas of Galilee and Theudas, false messiahs who also started their rebellions against Rome by going out into the wilderness. Why do so many messiahs begin this way? Because they are attempting recapitulate of Israel's story. And the true Messiah also relives the story of Israel, embodying it in the events that happen to him: he has already gone down to Egypt to escape a tyrannical attempt to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem, much as Pharaoh tried to kill all the male Hebrew babies; he has already been baptized in the Jordan, as Paul says Israel was “baptized in the cloud and in the sea” of the Exodus; and now he goes into the Wilderness to be tempted for 40 days, as Israel was tempted for 40 years. Covenant history rhymes, as the saying goes. So that is why Jesus is in the desert. There remains explain why he is being tested, and how he resists that temptation, and what these things tell us about the Messiah and about God. We must recognize that Jesus resisted Satan's temptation as true man, as a matter of his messianic office. Jesus' self-understanding as the Messiah was in terms of the latter chapters of Isaiah, i.e. the suffering servant. This understanding of his calling is why he girded himself with a towel and washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper; it is why he set his face like flint to go to Jerusalem; it is why he undertakes to drink the cup of suffering, and sheds sweat like drops of blood falling to the ground during his agonized prayer in Gethsemane. Being this kind of Messiah involved contradicting the expectations that other men had about what the Messiah would be like. When Jesus is on trial, the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate, for instance, asks him — in a question whose statement-like word order indicates incredulity — “You are the king of the Jews?” (that is the word order, sarcastic or incredulous), and then puts over his head a sign reading “Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews,” in three languages, so that everyone could get the joke. Pilate mocks Jewish pretensions to even have a king. That is why he refused to change the sign to say only “He claimed to be the king of the Jews.”  It is also why he also brings out Barabbas and asks the Jews, “Whom do you want me to give to you? Barabbas, or the king of the Jews?” Pilate is operating with the standard pagan understanding of kingship: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28) Pontius Pilate and the Romans were expecting someone taller, perhaps. Of course, Jesus could have met those expectations, as he told the soldiers who arrested him in Gethsemane: “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53) It isn't that he couldn't just blow the Romans away with fire from heaven. But that is not his agenda. That is not what the Messiah has come to do. He has come “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus also has to correct the expectation of the Jews about what the Messiah is to be like — even the expectation of his own disciples! It is this self-understanding that makes Jesus tell his disciples in Mt 16:22-23 that “he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Peter's suggestion that Jesus could be the Mesiah without suffering and dying is so inimical to Jesus' self-understanding and his mission that he calls Peter “Satan.” And rightly so, because what Peter is suggesting is pretty much of the same spirit as what Satan himself suggests in our gospel lesson this morning. So that is the background: Jesus as the true Israelite, the Messiah, is in the desert, not to lead a rebellion or a gang of terrorists, but to be tested as Israel was tested. Against all this background, we are ready to hear the words, both of Satan tempting, and of Jesus answering, and hear them with richer and fuller meaning — meaning not from Greek philosophy or self-help gurus or even systematic theologians, but rather, from the story of Israel. With his first temptation, Satan seeks to exploit Jesus' hunger: “The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written,  "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:3-4) Any of you who have ever been hangry know exactly why Satan is doing this. Jesus, no less than we, lived his earthly incarnate life in a body, and that body was subject to weakness. Jesus is not like Superman, so that bullets or nails would bounce off his skin. He was capable of suffering, and he did suffer. Satan is suggesting that Jesus should exploit his Messianic status — for that is what is meant by “If you are the Son of God” — and use it to avoid this suffering. Take your authority over all creation and use it to transform stones into bread. This is not a ridiculous suggestion. It is similar to Jesus' first miracle in John's gospel, where he turned water into wine for the wedding at Cana. But the aim of the action here would be quite different. Satan's meaning is basically the same as Peter's suggestion: “Suffer from hunger? Why put up with that? This shall never happen to you!” Jesus' answer is a quotation from Deuteronomy 8:3. (In fact, all three of Jesus' answers to Satan are from Deuteronomy. (Dt. 8:3, 6:16, and 6:13). That is, they are taken from Moses' instructions to Israel about how to live with the Lord. Jesus is the one who follows Deuteronomy's description of the faithful Israelite perfectly.) As so often, however, Jesus' quotations of the Old Testament are metaleptic —a fancy Greek word that means “takes along with it.” The idea here is that if I say, “We stand on guard for thee,” it would be a mistake for someone to try to understand that utterance merely by using a dictionary to look up “stand” and “guard” and so forth. The meaning of that phrase is rather to be found in the larger context of the Canadian national anthem as a whole, because that is how everyone who hears it will immediately start thinking in their minds: all the other verses will come flooding into your minds; you will perhaps recall occasions when you sang it: in school, or at sporting events; or watching a Olympic medal ceremony. Just so, when Jesus quotes the Old Testament, every Israelite hearer will not just think of the words he quotes; he will think also of the surrounding context, the story in which those words first occurred. So when we look at Deuteronomy 8:3, we should also think about the immediately preceding verse: "The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” (Deuteronomy 8:1-2) And then it goes on to say, in the very next verse, “And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 8:3) This is what Jesus has in mind: he has been in the wilderness for forty days, being humbled, being tested. He answers Satan from the very passage of Deuteronomy that has to do with his situation: it is about testing in the wilderness. He has been thinking about this verse for a while now. The tempter's second try is with a more showy possibility: Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,  "'He will command his angels concerning you,'  and  "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" -Matthew 4:6 This would be an impressive display! Who could fail to follow a Messiah who had made such a proof of divine power? Jesus had answered the first temptation by quoting Scripture. But the devil can quote Scripture for his purposes, so Satan appeals to lines from Psalm 91:11-12. And again, he knows what he is doing: at a time when Jesus feels alone, when he is in the desert, Satan tempts him with lines from that most comforting song: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” It is full of promises of God's protection and deliverance: in battle, from wild animals, from dangerous diseases. And yet it is singularly inappropriate for Jesus' messianic vocation: He has come to suffer and die. To avail himself of divine protection against these sufferings would be to deny his messiahship. So Jesus replies with words from Deuteronomy again. "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" -Matthew 4:7 This is from Deuteronomy 6, that chapter which contains the Shema, the single verse of the Torah that could be called the creed of Israel: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” It is the core chapter of the Torah about Israel's relationship with God. He has rescued her from Egypt and taken her to Himself to be His bride; at Mount Sinai, he has married her. But Israel was not faithful. She tested the Lord like a wife acting up to trying to make her husband angry. When there was no water to drink, Exodus 17 says, “Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?" (Exodus 17:2) The verb used here, and also by Jesus in Matthew 4:7, is πειράζω. Note well: Who was doing the testing in the wilderness for 40 years? Exodus and Deuteronomy say it clearly: Israel was testing YHWH. And thus, we may perceive some clever irony in Jesus' answer to Satan here. For Satan is called “the tempter,” and in Greek, that is nothing other than a participle form of this same verb πειράζω, literally, “the testing one.” So on the one hand, Jesus' quotation of Deuteronomy 6:16 could mean, “You are asking me to test God by throwing myself down from the Temple. I am not going to do it, because Moses warned Israel not to test God.” But it could also mean, “You are testing God, Satan.” Satan doesn't take the hint. He keeps on testing Jesus. There will be more attempts later, but the last temptation that Satan tries on Jesus in the wilderness is narrated like this: Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." -Matthew 4:8-9 Why does Satan take him to a very high mountain? In the Bible, mountaintop scenes are real estate transactions. If I sell you this pen, it's simple enough: you put money in my hand, and I put the pen in yours, and you carry it away with you. But houses and land don't fit in your pocket. So we have other procedures. In our day, we get banks and notaries involved and sign a lot of documents. But in the ancient world, you took possession by inspecting the property after the transfer.  This is done in the case of Abram in Genesis 13:17: “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” The same thing happens when Moses is about to die; in one sense, Moses doesn't get the promised land, because he dies before he can enter into it; but in another sense, God actually gives him the land, because he takes him up on a mountain and shows it to him, and this is the formal transfer of the land: “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, across from Jericho; view the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel as a possession..” (Deuteronomy 32:49) Satan is attempting to use the same convention in Matthew 4:8. He is trying to get Jesus to make a deal, offering the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. But Jesus has no need to make such a bargain, for God had already promised to give the Messiah everything Satan is offering, and Jesus, whose self-understanding as the Messiah is shaped by Isaiah's description of the suffering servant, knows it very well from Isaiah 49: The Lord says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6) He knows it also from Psalm 2: I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. Ask of God. Not of Satan. The nations belong to the Lord, not to Satan. Jesus has no intention of making a bargain to purchase what Satan wrongly claims to own. In Matthew 12, after the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan, Jesus replies that, How can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. (Matthew 12:29) And he does plunder it. We see the result in Revelation 20: “And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer...” -Revelation 20:3 And as for the real estate deal Satan was trying to make, well, we see the end of that at the very end of Matthew's gospel. For the Great Commission too takes place on a mountain, and this setting seems significant, especially in light of Jesus' declaration that “all authority in heaven and earth” has been given to Him. This is a pointed contrast with Satan's lying statement, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.” (Luke 4:6 NKJV) Quite the contrary, Jesus, having refused Satan's bargain, and having bound him and plundered his goods, now bestows the kingdom on His disciples and takes possession of the nations by sending his disciples to teach and baptize them. I want to end by correcting three misapprehensions that some people might have about this story, which may prevent them from grasping what it teaches us about God. One mistake some have is that Jesus didn't really suffer in the wilderness; that His divine nature was smirking and unbothered by Satan's temptations aimed at his human nature; that all these things just rolled off of Jesus like water off a duck's back. We know this was not the case. Recall Gethsemane again, where Jesus begged the Father to “take this cup from me,” and his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood — drops of blood, not water off a duck's back. A second mistake would be to think that, yes, Jesus suffered, but that's only because He is human. But that is not what the Bible says. It says that Jesus revealed the Father by his sufferings; that if you want to know what the Father is like, you should look at Jesus, for He who has seen Him has seen the Father. Greek philosophers say that God is an unmoved mover, and that God cannot suffer because he is perfect; but the Bible tells us that Jesus was “made perfect by sufferings.” (Heb. 5:9) Greek philosophers tell us that God cannot be afflicted; the Bible says that “in all their afflictions, He was afflicted.” (Isaiah 63:9) Greeks and Romans thought that suffering was miserable and degrading, and that if you are suffering, you must not have any glory or power; the Bible says that Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore — not in spite of his sufferings, but because of them! — God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:8) There is no clearer picture of Israel's God than the cross of Jesus Christ. That is where we finally see God fully revealed. Finally, a third mistake would be to think that, yes, Jesus' sufferings were powerful and important, but ours are not. The truth is exactly the opposite. As George MacDonald put it, “The Son of God suffered, not that we might not suffer, but that our sufferings might be like His.” And they are. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory...” (2 Corinthians 4:17) We are in the Messiah. His story, Israel's story, is our story. In Him, we are faithful Israelites, true to Deuteronomy 6. In Him, we are the suffering servant of Isaiah's prophecies. In Him, the kingdoms of the world belong to us. In Him, we too are victorious over Satan. Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, for our sake you fasted forty days and forty nights: give us grace so to discipline ourselves that our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may always obey your will in righteousness and true holiness, to the honour and glory of your name; for you live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

A brief overview and summary of the daily portion of three chapters of Rambam's Mishnah Torah, as an aid to enhance the study and review of the day's Rambam.

Rabbi Resnick offers clear and to-the-point classes in plain English on the daily portion of Rambam's Mishneh Torah for the 3 chapters a day cycle.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 20 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

2 Cor 11:14 “…And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” PART 1 (LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE MESSAGE HERE).  Satan transforms himself into an angel of light? Did Paul mean this litterally or figuratively. What is Paul talking about here? 1 and 2 Corinthians are letters from Paul to the Church in Corinth. Sadly we only have one side of this conversation, but it is clear that Paul's epistles address known issues within the churches they are written to. I don't believe these 3 verses are aligorical or figurative in nature. I believe these verses may be quite literal including verse 14. with regard to Satan transforming himself into an angel of light. In today's message I am going to give you evidence as to why I believe this is so and why Paul may have even been referring to teachers and “apostles” from or at least connected with the Qumran community as being false teachers and false apostles who were bringing a false message and a false messiah or false Jesus whom Paul (and the other true apostles) did not preach. Then toward the end of this message we will look at examples of where and why I believe this is happening again today especially (and quite sadly) among (SOME OF ) those describing themselves as Torah observant, Hebrew Roots, etc communities which are increasingly endorsing the teachings of the so-called obscure Essenes sect of Judaism and promoting extra biblical writings contained within the corpus of DSS attributed to them and the inhabitants of Qumran. Did the Essenes and/or the inhabitants of Qumran commune with and/or seek out conversations and wisdom from angels. Lets see what some of the extra biblical writings found in the dead sea scrolls say about this.

A new MP3 sermon from Alpha and Omega Ministries is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Christian Shema vs. Dr. Smith Subtitle: The Dividing Line 2026 Speaker: Dr. James White Broadcaster: Alpha and Omega Ministries Event: Podcast Date: 2/19/2026 Length: 60 min.

Host Mark Call takes a look back at some of the most important news, with no shortage of commentary, for the week ending 21 February, 2026. And it’s time to admit that what we’re seeing isn’t just merely “Evil.” We’re way, way beyond that…

David Justice and Mark Call recap the major new events of the week, and some of the disappointing failures, and outright betrayals. One of them begs the question, if the corrupt Brits can finally even arrest a Royal, why can’t the US manage to arrest at least a few outright traitors? And if the US is willing to go to war in Iran halfway around the world, and risk a nuclear confrontation, to “overthrow the ayatollahs” — why can’t at least take down the ones running the swamp here?

The Epstein files are forcing at least a few people with “eyes to see” to recognize that there is a level of Evil that goes FAR beyond what most Americans are willing to admit. But it’s nothing new. And yet what is really difficult for even those who recognize that Evil to acknowledge is that the real issue hits still closer to home.

Today we dove into the debate I did with Dr. Dustin Smith in Dallas on the Trinity vs. Unitarianism, and in particular, our reasons for doing debates, etc. Then we looked at 1 Corinthians 8:6, which came up in the debate, and used it as an example of my main thesis: that the Unitarian has an over-riding presupposition that forces him into eisegesis when faced with evidence against his position. We will look at the Hansen/Heshmeyer cross-ex on the next episode!

Yosi Amram, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, a CEO leadership coach, and a best-selling and award-winning author. Previously the founder and CEO of two companies he led through successful IPOs, Yosi has coached over 100 CEOs, many of whom have built companies with thousands of employees and revenues in the billions. With engineering degrees from MIT, an MBA from Harvard, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Sofia University, he is a pioneering researcher in the field of spiritual intelligence whose research has received over 1000 citations. As the Amazon best-selling author of the Nautilus Book Award Gold Medal-winning Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired, Yosi is committed to awakening greater spiritual intelligence in himself and the world.https://yosiamram.net/

News, and a bit more commentary than usual, for Wednesday, 18 February, 2026. This level of Evil may be the ‘new normal,’ but it’s also Biblical in impact.

News and commentary for Thursday, 19 February, 2026.

A Mississippi synagogue is set on fire—and in the ashes, a prayer book lies open to the Shema. In this episode of Seeking Sinai, Rabbi Natan Trief is joined by Rabbi Brad Levenberg to confront the evolving face of Jew-hatred and why synagogues remain such powerful symbols of hatred as well as resilience. Together, they wrestle with fear, history, and the pressure to respond without losing our moral center. This is a conversation about clarity over panic, presence over silence, and the stubborn courage to remain visibly, proudly Jewish.

What does human dignity look like when it's lived, not explained? In this episode of Rise and Shine with Adrienne Gold Davis, Adrienne shares a powerful experience from ADI Negev, an inclusive rehabilitation village in Israel. During a visit with Jewish educators, a six-year-old nonverbal child offered a wordless but unmistakable lesson in kevod habriyot, the Jewish value of honoring every human being. Through this moment, Adrienne reflects on the deeper meaning of the Shema, the idea of oneness, and how Jewish values are meant to show up in real life, not as concepts, but as actions.  A grounding reminder that sometimes the clearest wisdom comes through presence, connection, and the simple act of reaching out a hand.   The Rise & Shine Podcast Series is made possible by the generous support of Bonnie Vozar of Chicago, Illinois. If you would like to sponsor an upcoming podcast, please email us at info@momentumunlimited.org

News and commentary for Tuesday, 17 February, 2026.

News and commentary for Monday, 16 February, 2026.

Hello, everyone. Once again, as I'm gathering information and assembling Scripture for such a time as this, there is just enough time to prepare notes for you this week, but not enough time to edit a full newsletter teaching. Scriptural numbers and dates are lining up with significance to the current situation in Iran faster than I can record and sort them. In this next installment of Heaven Shaking the Persian Bear I plan to explain the pattern of the the Prince of Persia within Daniel and John's visions of the Beast Kingdom.

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. In this teaching, Rabbi Berkson clarifies a couple of things, including the authority given to the husband in Scripture. It seems that some people misinterpreted what Rabbi said in the last teaching, to the point that it could be very troublesome in some marriages. So Rabbi Steve takes the opportunity to give some “Covenant-Live Coaching” for married couples, those looking to be married soon, and those who should not be in an intimate relationship yet, including teenagers. Then, moving into Ephesians chapter 6, Rabbi Berkson addresses the children and “servants”. Which commandment is for the children, and which is the only one with a promise? Could this commandment have a deeper, more far-reaching interpretation? Paul wrote to the fathers not to “provoke” their children…what does this mean? Rabbi Berkson once again dissects the words in 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. https://mtoi.org The MTOI App https://mtoi.org/download-the-mtoi-app https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.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

Shema - Undivided: A Call to Shema | Sloan Parker | February 15, 2025 | Fellowship Church | Poplar Bluff, MO

Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a provocative two-part look at what he claims is one of the most fascinating Torah portions in the whole Book, not only because of the variety of topics it covers, but the fact that they are so, let’s face it, HATED by much of society. Not only are they NOT ‘politically-correct,’ but the fact that so many of them ARE so rejected, he argues, helps explain why the “social justice-loving,” humanistic, Progressive Pagan system that has replaced His Word is such an UTTER, undeniable, even Satanic, MESS. The Erev Shabbat reading of the parsha, with some poignant commentary: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SSM-2-13-Mishpatim-teaching-only-podcast-xxx.mp3 There is a whole lot that could be said about the Sabbath Day midrash and commentary. But, this time, it will simply be more expedient to suggest — listen to it, pray, and make up your own mind. Mishpatim: “His Way is SO Much Better — We Get Instead What We Did NOT Expect”” https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WT-CooH-2-14-Mishpatim-His-Way-is-Better-We-get-instead-what-we-did-NOT-expect-podcast-xxxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:

********** We recently uploaded the wrong audio file for this episode — sorry about that!  The correct version is now live. If your podcast app already downloaded the original (incorrect) file, it may not automatically replace it. You'll need to delete the old download and re-download the episode. Here's how: Step 1: Delete the Downloaded Episode Open your podcast app. Go to the episode. Remove/Delete the downloaded file. (Look for a checkmark, download arrow, or “Downloaded” label — then choose “Remove Download” or “Delete Download.”) Step 2: Re-Download the Episode Once the old download is removed, tap the Download button again. The correct, updated audio will download. If It Still Plays the Old Version If you're still hearing the incorrect audio: Close and reopen your podcast app. Or refresh the show feed (some apps have a “Pull to Refresh” or “Refresh” option). As a last resort, try deleting and reinstalling the app (this may remove saved downloads). App-Specific Notes (Optional to Include) Apple Podcasts: Remove Download → Tap the three dots → “Remove Download” → Re-download. Spotify: Tap the green download arrow to remove → Tap again to re-download. Overcast / Pocket Casts / Others: Remove the download, then download again. ********** In this eye-opening conversation, PhD researcher Abigail Pasiuk joins Dr. Dru Johnson to explore how the Hebrew Bible can inform modern conversations about mass incarceration. Drawing on her personal experience—her father's time in federal prison—and academic research at Oxford, Abby offers a theologically rich critique of retributive justice models prevalent in the U.S. prison system. She explains how biblical justice prioritizes restoration and dignity rather than dehumanization, citing key themes such as the Shema and imago Dei. Abby shares firsthand accounts from interviews with incarcerated individuals, exposing everyday indignities—from food labeled “not for human consumption” to being stripped of identity and reduced to a number. With over 80% recidivism in the U.S., Abby points to countries like Norway where restorative practices and the “principle of normalcy” have dramatically reduced reoffense. The episode challenges listeners to rethink what justice should look like through a biblical lens: not just punishment, but humanizing correction rooted in love. It's a conversation that bridges theology, criminology, and real human stories—urging the church to see prisoners not as disposable, but as image-bearers. Follow Abigail's work here: https://www.theology.ox.ac.uk/people/abigail-pasiuk We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapter: 00:00 Abigail's Journey to Oxford 08:26 The PhD Experience at Oxford 17:18 Research Focus: Mass Incarceration and Justice 27:09 Critique of the Prison System and Alternatives