UMJC

Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations

05/29/2026

This week’s Torah commentary is written by Matthew Absolon. You can read the full commentary at umjc.org/commentary and by signing up to receive these in your inbox weekly.

“We Bear the Family Name
Parashat Naso, Numbers 4:21–7:29‍

‍The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:22–27
‍The Aaronic blessing of Numbers Six is among the oldest liturgical texts in biblical history. Archaeologists have recovered it inscribed on silver amulets dating to the seventh century BCE, predating even the Dead Sea Scrolls. Its age, however, is not its most striking feature; rather it is the final verse that calls our attention.”

05/21/2026

Weekly Torah commentary preview
(Catch the full article at UMJC.org/commentary)

Obedience Begins with Listening
Shavuot 5786, Exodus 19:1-20:23

By Jennifer C

Did you know that Hebrew is the only ancient language to be “revived” for modern use? I say “revived” in quotes because Hebrew never went completely dormant. It was always in use for religious purposes but for almost two thousand years it was not used for everyday language. Eliezer Ben-Yehuda believed that the Jewish people needed to unite under a common spoken language and he worked to bring Hebrew back into everyday use. His son, Itamar, was the first native Hebrew speaker in two millennia. Ben-Yehuda undertook the task of adding words for modern things and concepts to the ancient Hebrew language. One new word that was added was a verb for “obey.” In ancient Hebrew, sometimes referred to as “biblical Hebrew,” the word that is translated as “obey” is שׁמע shema. Most of you recognize this word from the beginning of the central creed of Judaism:

שׁמע ישׂראל יי אלהינוּ יי אחד
Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deut 6:4

05/14/2026

We enter the final week of Counting the Omer together this evening. We invite you to pray for awakening and renewal in Scripture upon our children and their teachers throughout the whole Messianic Jewish and wider Jewish communities this week.

05/07/2026

As we enter into week six of Counting the Omer, join us in praying for awakening and renewal in Scripture upon our children and their teachers throughout the UMJC community.

You can still download our free guide to Counting the Omer at umjc.org/omer5786

05/01/2026

The Shepherd and the Lamb, weekly Torah commentary preview from parashat Emor, Leviticus 21:1-24:23; Haftarah, Ezekiel 44:15-31. Written by Rabbi David Wein.

“You are not obligated to finish the work,

But neither can you refrain; so don’t just sit there and lurk.

That’s from “The Sayings of the Fathers” or Pirke Avot

And 2:16 is where I got that quote.

Now in Ezekiel 1, in the thirtieth year

(“But of what?” we may ask — perhaps birthday cheer)

So it’s Ezekiel, perhaps, that is turning 3-0.

In which case, that’s the year that a priest starts the show!

But he can’t, there’s no Temple, it’s all been destroyed

So, Ezekiel, the priest, must feel distraught and annoyed.

But even if the 30 doesn’t refer to ole’ Zeke

The situation where a priest can’t do his calling is unique.

Now he’s sitting on the bank of the Kebar River

Wondering how the Lord could ever deliver

If the Temple is gone, whence the Presence of God?

And how could he ever fulfill his priesthood abroad?”

continue reading UMJC.org/commentary

04/30/2026

In Week 5 of Counting the Omer we are praying for an anointing and blessing upon all our efforts to teach our children Hebrew and Jewish life in Yeshua the Messiah. Thank you for praying with us!

Learn more at umjc.org/omer5786

04/24/2026

This week’s Torah commentary is written by David Tokajer, on Real-Life Holiness. The full commentary is available at UMJC.org/commentary.

Acharei Mot–Kedoshim, Leviticus 16:1–20:27

“Parashat Acharei Mot–Kedoshim sits right within the tension every serious believer has to deal with: we want closeness with God, but we don’t get to define the terms of that closeness. Leviticus 16 opens with the death of Nadav and Avihu in chapter 10 still hanging in the air. This is not just background, it is a warning label: You don’t walk casually into the presence of a holy God.

The instructions for Yom Kippur are then laid out in detail. One day. One man. One way. The Kohen HaGadol enters the Holy of Holies not with creativity, not with personal expression, but with precise obedience. Blood is brought in, not as a ritual for ritual’s sake, but as a stark reminder: access to God costs something. Sin is not theoretical; it stains, it separates, and it requires atonement.

But then we come to chapter 17, and the focus shifts. Suddenly it’s not just about the High Priest once a year, it’s about every Israelite, every day: What you eat; where you bring sacrifices; and how you treat blood. Holiness is no longer confined to the Mishkan, it starts pressing into the ordinary rhythms of life.”

04/23/2026

Week Four of Counting the Omer we are praying for anointing and blessing upon Ashreinu School, as it teaches our children Hebrew and Jewish life.

Learn more and download a free Omer guide at umcj.org/omer5786

04/16/2026

Join us this week of counting the Omer as we pray for renewed passion for God's Word among our children.

Learn more and download a free Omer guide at umjc.org/omer5786

04/09/2026

Join us this week as we center our prayers on a renewed passion for God's Word among our parents and teachers.

Download the free Omer guide at umjc.org/omer5786

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