First Sunday of Advent (A)

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The Unknown Day and Hour   Lectionary: 1 Reading 1 -  Isaiah 2:1-5 Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 122: 1-9 Reading 2 -  Romans 13:11-14 Alleluia -  Cf. Psalm 85:8 Gospel -  Matthew 24:37-44 '... Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.' Introduction  As we gather on this First Sunday of Advent , we also mark the beginning of the Church’s new liturgical calendar and a four-week preparation period leading up to Christmas. The word Advent comes from either of two Latin words, which simply mean “to come” (Ad-venire) or “to arrive” (Ad-ventus), and as early as the fourth (4th) century, Christians have had this special time of preparation towards Christmas. Of course, Advent is not merely a countdown to Christmas; Even as we begin the material preparations for the social celebration of Christmas, the liturgical celebrations of these weeks invite us to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. But what does the co...
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Review: Torat Ahava - Loving Torah

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Torat Ahava - Loving Torah Torat Ahava - Loving Torah by Rabbi Avi Weiss

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a five (5) volume work covering the Jewish Torah (aka The Pentateuch or the first five(5) books of the Christian Old Testament). Right off the bat you recognize that this is an ambitious effort that eventually runs well over 658 pages. Each volume is dedicated to one of the five (5) books and within each volume, the chapters basically cover a specific story within that book, which is further divided into brief commentaries on specific elements within the story. As I come from a different tradition than what can be extracted from these commentaries, I can’t really evaluate how faithfully that represent concepts within the Jewish tradition; however, I can say that I found them to be very thought provoking and enjoyable. Most Christian analysis of these books tend to focus on extracting understanding and support for the message presented about Jesus in their New Testament and in many cases have ignored how our cousins in faith have interpreted their own scriptures … and I think we have lost something there. Mostly, however, what I gained from these book is the idea that there are many different ways to interpret, understand and apply the ideals and concepts presented in scripture and they can all be useful for the spiritual pilgrim.

The Book of Genesis

  • Chapter 1: Bereishit
  • Chapter 2: Noach
  • Chapter 3: Lech Lecha
  • Chapter 4: Vayera
  • Chapter 5: Chayei Sarah
  • Chapter 6: Toldot
  • Chapter 7: Vayetzei
  • Chapter 8: Vayishlach
  • Chapter 9: Vayeshev
  • Chapter 10: Miketz
  • Chapter 11: Vayechi


The Book of Exodus

  • Chapter 1: Shemot
  • Chapter 2: Va’era
  • Chapter 3: Bo
  • Chapter 4: Bechalach
  • Chapter 5: Yitro
  • Chapter 6: Mishpatim
  • Chapter 7: Terumah
  • Chapter 8: Tetzaveh
  • Chapter 9: Ki Tisa
  • Chapter 10: Vayakhel
  • Chapter 11: Pekudei


The Book of Leviticus

  • Chapter 1: Vayikra
  • Chapter 2: Tzav
  • Chapter 3: Shemini
  • Chapter 4: Tazria
  • Chapter 5: Metzora
  • Chapter 6: Acharei Mot
  • Chapter 7: Kedoshim
  • Chapter 8: Emor
  • Chapter 9: Behar
  • Chapter 10: Bechukotai 


The Book of Numbers

  • Chapter 1: Banidbar
  • Chapter 2: Naso
  • Chapter 3: Beha’alotcha
  • Chapter 4: Shelach
  • Chapter 5: Korach
  • Chapter 6: Chukat
  • Chapter 7: Balak
  • Chapter 8: Pinchas
  • Chapter 9: Mattot
  • Chapter 10: Masei


The Book of Deuteronomy

  • Chapter 1: Devarim
  • Chapter 2: Va’etchanan
  • Chapter 3: Ekev
  • Chapter 4: Re’eh
  • Chapter 5: Shoftim
  • Chapter 6: Ki Tetzei
  • Chapter 7: Ki Tavo
  • Chapter 8: Nitzavim
  • Chapter 9: Vayelech
  • Chapter 10: Ha’azinu
  • Chapter 11: V’zot Haberachah


I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#ToratAhava #LibraryThing

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