Rabbi Lawrence will share a message from this week’s Parashah Vayishlach (He Sent) from Genesis 32:3-36:43. The message is titled, “Israel Born Out of Struggle.” This sermon reminds us that Israel was born out of struggle—Jacob wrestled with God and emerged transformed. Throughout history, God’s people have faced trials, yet they have persevered and held on until the dawn of deliverance. Similarly, God calls us to embrace our struggles, for it is through them that He shapes us into overcomers. Hold on in faith, trusting that God’s blessing and purpose will come through the trials, just as they did for Jacob.

Rabbi Lawrence will share a message from this week’s parashah Chayei Sarah that is titled, "Faith and Real World Actions". The parashah begins with Sarah’s death and Abraham’s purchase of the Cave of Machpelah for her burial. At first glance, this might seem like a simple transaction. However, when viewed through the lens of biblical theology, the historical, spiritual, and legal significance of this moment becomes profound. This sermon explores how Abraham’s actions in this parashah and Eliezer’s journey to find a wife for Isaac reveal God’s providence and faithfulness. It will also reflect on the implications of these lessons for modern believers, especially in light of attempts to deny the biblical heritage of Israel. A relevant Bible passage is Hebrews 11:8-10 (ESV) - “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.”

This week's parashah is called "Lech-Lecha” from the famous passage in Genesis 12:1 where God called Abraham to “get going.” This was God’s first Great Commission to Abraham and we…

Today we will celebrate a belated 'Simchat Torah' (The Joy of Torah) which is a festival that marks the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and the beginning…