Hebrew Nation Online | Shabba Shalom Mesa – Mark Call

Parsha “Vayikra,” begins the Book with the same Hebrew name, aka “Leviticus” in English. And it’s both too often considered “boring” by much of ‘Sunday Christianity’ – and thus ignored – while at the same time being central to one of THE most misunderstood concepts in Scripture. And at the heart of perhaps THE Greatest […]

Parsha “Pekudei,” Exodus 38:21 through the end of the Book) concludes the reading and study of the Book of Exodus. And as the Hebrew title suggests, it begins with an account of the precious materials used in building the mishkan, or tabernacle, and again emphasizes several of the key themes: it is the work of […]

Parsha “Vayakhel,” Exodus 35:1 through 38:20, in many respects will seem very familiar. Many elements that we just recently read, only about ten chapters earlier, are repeated. Why? And why so much detail, not just once, but twice? Mark has long suggested that any time something is repeated in Scripture, we had better pay attention; […]

This is perhaps one of the most important, most blunt, most twisted, and certainly – now, particularly – one of most utterly relevant Torah parashot in the Book. Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a provocative two-part look at parsha Ki Tisa, Exodus 30:11 through chapter 34. The Erev Shabbat reading starts […]

Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a provocative two-part look at parsha Terzaveh, Exodus 27:20-30:10. The Erev Shabbat reading gives the details, of which there are many: The impressive level of detail is this description is certainly again one of the most memorable aspects of this parsha. And yet, as Mark reminds […]

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 […]

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 […]

When the ‘mixed multitude’ comes to Mount Sinai it is clear that another major milestone is at hand, and — as we know it will emerge — another turning point has been reached. But this is set up by several major events documented by this week’s parsha (Yitro, Exodus chapters 18 through 20). Moses’ father-in-law, […]

Act II of ‘the Exodus’ (parsha ‘Beshalach,” Exodus/Shemot 13:17 through chapter 17) begins immediately after the last of the plagues, when Pharoah has let the people go; actually – kicked them out, “shalach”, or expelled, is how the Hebrew puts it. And it certainly is the beginning of a whole new phase in the saga. […]

The final part of what might be called “Act I” of ‘the Exodus’ (parsha Bo, Exodus/Shemot 10:1 – 13:16) concludes with the final set of the ‘3 sets of 3, plus one’ plagues, and the ‘death of the firstborn. But there is much more, because it also lays out the first of what are the […]