This week's Torah Portion, Shemot שְׁמוֹת (Names), based on Exodus 1:1-6:1, has a lesson that is a wonderful and proper way to begin our new year. This part of scripture introduces us to God's people, the descendants of Israel, who are being liberated and called out of the world to represent, honor, and worship the Creator God of the universe. In it, we have five full chapters that cover so much ground that we can take this week's lesson into pretty much any direction we want

A porção da Torá desta semana, VaYechi (E Ele Viveu), baseada em Gênesis 47:28-50:26, narra a morte de dois patriarcas. Jacó, agora Israel, falece no capítulo 49 de Gênesis, e José o segue no capítulo 50. O legado de ambos os grandes homens de Deus chega ao fim em uma única lição semanal, com apenas 15 versículos separando suas mortes. No entanto, o foco da lição desta semana não é o fim, mas a transmissão das bênçãos para a próxima geração. "Quando Israel viu os filhos de J

This week's Torah Portion, VaYechi וַיְחִי (And He Lived), based on Genesis 47:28-50:26, narrates the death of two patriarchs. Jacob, now Israel, perishes in Genesis chapter 49, and Joseph follows suit in chapter 50. The legacy of both great men of God comes to an end in a single weekly lesson with only 15 verses separating their deaths. Yet, the focus of this week's lesson is not the end, but the passing on of blessings to the next generation. "When Israel saw Joseph's sons