Jesus' teaching on 'judge not' isn't about avoiding all judgment, but rather avoiding hypocrisy in how we evaluate others. Using the metaphor of a log in our own eye while trying to remove a speck from another's, Jesus challenges us to address our own issues before criticizing others. This teaching confronts our tendencies toward self-centeredness, selfishness, and narcissism. When we align with Jesus' kingdom, we apply the same standards to ourselves that we use for others, approaching everyone with humility rather than superiority.

Bamidbar is the Hebrew word for “in the wilderness”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Numbers starting in chapter 1 verse 1 and going through chapter 4 and verse 20.

Behar-Bechukotai is a double Torah portion. Behar is the Hebrew word for “on the mountain”, while Bechukotai is the Hebrew word for “in My statutes”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 25 verse 1 and going through chapter 27 and verse 34.

Emor is the Hebrew word for “say”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 21 verse 1 and going through chapter 24 and verse 23.

Acharei Mot-Kedoshim is a double Torah portion. Acharei mot are the Hebrew word for “after the death”, while kedoshim is the Hebrew word for “holy”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 16 verse 1 and going through chapter 20 and verse 27.

Prayer is more than just speaking words or making requests - it's about developing an intimate relationship with God. Jesus taught that effective prayer happens in private, away from the desire to impress others. He warned against common mistakes like praying for show or using meaningless repetitions. The key to meaningful prayer lies in seeking God's presence with a pure heart, responding to others' needs, and focusing on genuine connection rather than performance. Creating a secret place for prayer allows for transformative communion with God.

Tazria-Metzora is a double Torah portion. Tazria is the Hebrew word for “conceived”, while Metzora is the Hebrew word for “leper”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 12 verse 1 and going through chapter 15 and verse 33.

First fruits is a biblical principle that goes beyond agricultural offerings, representing our commitment to give God our best in every area of life. It acknowledges God as the source of all blessings and demonstrates our trust in His provision. This principle applies to modern life through our time, talents, resources, and relationships. Just as Jesus was the ultimate first fruits through His resurrection, we are called to offer our best to God as an expression of gratitude and faith.

Shemini is the Hebrew word for “Eighth”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 9 verse 1 and going through chapter 11 verse 47.

First Fruits celebrates Jesus' resurrection and His role as the bread of life, marking His victory over death and sin. This transformative event fundamentally changed humanity's relationship with God, breaking the cycle of sin and death. The celebration emphasizes Jesus as the first fruits of resurrection, connecting to His declaration as the bread of life and God's provision throughout history. The focus should remain on praising Jesus' sacrifice, remembering His victory, and maintaining unity within the body of Christ.

Pesach is the Hebrew word for “Passover”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Exodus starting in chapter 12 verse 21 and going through verse 51.

JBiblical righteousness goes beyond moral perfection, focusing on the transformation from selfishness to selfless giving through a relationship with Jesus Christ. True righteousness manifests in generous, anonymous giving that flows from a pure heart rather than seeking recognition. This transformation occurs when we understand that we give freely because we have freely received from God. The emphasis is on giving with pure motives, letting our actions flow from our relationship with Jesus rather than obligation or desire for praise.

Jesus's teaching on Kingdom righteousness goes beyond traditional interpretations of God's law, calling believers to a higher standard of love and grace. Rather than focusing on revenge or rigid rules, true righteousness involves giving generously, showing grace to the undeserving, and loving enemies. Being perfect as God is perfect isn't about flawless performance, but about pursuing the completion of God's purpose in our lives. This transformative understanding shapes how we handle conflicts, respond to wrongs, and demonstrate love to others.Living with integrity is a core element of Christian character, reflecting God's trustworthy nature. Jesus teaches that our words should be reliable and truthful, with our yes meaning yes and our no meaning no. Narcissism, whether stemming from past wounds or manifesting as harmful behavior towards others, can severely undermine integrity. True kingdom character requires keeping our word, communicating honestly, and recognizing our need for God's healing and guidance.

Tzav is the Hebrew word for “command”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 6 verse 8 and going through chapter 8 and verse 36.

Living with integrity is a core element of Christian character, reflecting God's trustworthy nature. Jesus teaches that our words should be reliable and truthful, with our yes meaning yes and our no meaning no. Narcissism, whether stemming from past wounds or manifesting as harmful behavior towards others, can severely undermine integrity. True kingdom character requires keeping our word, communicating honestly, and recognizing our need for God's healing and guidance.

Vayikra is the Hebrew word for “and He called”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 1 verse 1 and going through chapter 6 and verse 7.

Life's journey with God requires more than surface-level knowledge - it demands genuine relationship through prayer, biblical guidance, and active community involvement. God's faithfulness persists through every season, protecting and guiding us even when we feel lost. The church community plays an essential role in spiritual growth by providing biblical teaching, accountability, and opportunities for fellowship. Through surrendering to Jesus and finding supportive community, we can experience healing from past hurts and discover our true purpose in God's kingdom.

Pekudei is the Hebrew word for “accounts”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Exodus starting in chapter 38 verse 21 and going through chapter 40 and verse 38.

Torah of the Kingdom: Exceeding Grace, Surpassing Righteousness

God's grace represents loving kindness and covenant loyalty, not a reflection of human worthlessness. While we cannot earn God's love, we inherently deserve it as His created children. Jesus's teachings on adultery and divorce emphasize the importance of covenant faithfulness and protecting the vulnerable. True grace elevates people's worth while calling them to demonstrate selfless love and loyalty in their relationships. These teachings challenge us to extend genuine grace to others while maintaining high standards of faithfulness.

Vayak’hel is the Hebrew word for “and he assembled”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Exodus starting in chapter 35 verse 1 and going through chapter 38 and verse 20.