Parasha Vayeshev, Year 2: Tamar and her Israelite Heritage.
Shabbat Shalom, Nazarene family.
This week we will see the parashah Vayeshev, portion of year 2, in which we will see the story between Yehudah (Judah), the sons of Yehudah and Tamar. This portion teaches us about Yahweh’s justice and faithfulness to commitments, where we can see how selfish decisions and failure to fulfill obligations can lead to adverse consequences. Tamar represents perseverance in the pursuit of justice and the Israelite heritage that has been taken from her. Finally, Yehudah ends up recognizing that Tamar’s righteousness was greater than his, understanding that not obeying Yahweh’s commands brings very sad and serious consequences.
B’reisheet (Genesis) 38:25-26
25 When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.” And she said, “Please determine whose these are—the signet and cord, and staff.”
26 So Yehudah [Judah] acknowledged them and said, “She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he never knew her again.
This week corresponds to the reading of the texts (in bold):
- B’reisheet (Genesis) 37:1-36 / 38:1-30 / 39:1-40:23
- Amos 2:1-16 / 3:1-8 / 3:9-15
- Yochanan (John) 2 / 3 / 4
Summary of the weekly study, Year two:
B’reisheet (Genesis) 38:1-30
These verses highlight the importance of justice, loyalty and the Father’s provision in the midst of adversity. Tamar, facing injustice and denial of her right, pursues her legacy with cunning, revealing the truth when necessary. Although her method is controversial, she demonstrates unrelenting fidelity to her inheritance and to the divine promise. The story illustrates that even in complicated situations, faith and persistence can be rewarded, and that truth will always prevail, transcending human error and manifesting the justice of Yahweh Elohim.
Amos 3:1-8
These verses emphasize divine accountability and judgment on Israel because of their special relationship with Yahweh. The connection between Elohim and His people demands a higher level of accountability and reveals that disobedience does not go unnoticed. Yahweh warns through Amos that calamity does not occur without cause, but is the result of His prior communication and the response of the people. The teaching stresses the importance of righteousness, integrity, and heeding the voice of Elohim to avoid divine judgment and maintain a healthy relationship with Him.
Yochanan (John) 3
These verses present the dialogue between Yeshua and Nicodemus, where Yeshua stresses the necessity of the new spiritual birth to enter the kingdom of Yahweh. This chapter reveals the centrality of faith in Yeshua as the Savior and the significance of divine love expressed through His sacrifice. Yeshua teaches that Yahweh’s love extends to all mankind and that the light of Messiah Yeshua exposes sin and offers redemption. This portion tells us of the importance of personal faith in Yeshua and the inner transformation that results from it to experience eternal life.
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Enjoy this fun activity with the whole family. Inside you will find development questions for the three weekly sections (Torah, Haftarah and Brit Chadashah). While the older ones discuss the questions and their answers, the younger ones can color the picture related to the teaching, solve a maze, find the 7 differences and much more. We encourage you to do it week by week and instill in your children the habit of studying Yahweh’s word as a family.
We hope you and especially your sons and daughters enjoy this effort. For it is through the study of the Scriptures that we can come to understand the love and care that Yahweh has always had for us. And also to perceive that He has been taking care of even the smallest detail, so that we can take care and enjoy all that He gives us. That is why it is so important that our children learn and grow up knowing that they are loved by the Creator of all that exists.
Shalom.
