Bat Kol-Christian Center for Jewish Studies
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20th Sunday in Ordinary Time 16th August 2026Lectionary Readings: Isa. 56:1.6-7; Ps 67:2-3.5-6.8; Rom. 11: 13-15.29-32; Matt. 15:21-28Theme: “The woman came and knelt before him” The Canaanite woman not only knelt before Jesus; she also compared herself to a dog getting under the table to eat crumbs. The story of Lazarus, longing to eat whatever […]
Parashat Shoftim 14th August 2026Week of 07 – 14 August 2026Torah portion : Deut.16:18-21:9 ; Haftarah : Isa. 51:12-52:12 Theme: “Who brings you comfort when you need it most?(m’nahemkhem מי מנחם אותך) ישעיה 51:12” Who brings you comfort when you need it most (m’nahemkhem)? This question stands in contrast to the poignant lament in Lamentations […]
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 09th August 2026Lectionary Readings: 1Kings 9:9a, 10-13a; Psalm 85:9, 10,11-12,13-14; Rom. 9:1-5; Matt.14:22-33Theme: We will hear and we will do. Let us look at the first reading for this Sunday taken from 1 Kings 19. Threatened with death, the prophet Elijah must flee and experiences a real agony that recalls […]
Parashat Re’eh 07th August 2026Week of 31 – 07 AugustTorah portion: Dt. 11:26-16:17 Haftarah: Isa.54:11-55:5 The Parashah of this Shabbat (Deut 11:17 – 16:17), as a whole, restructures the principles already present in previous books of the Torah concerning worship. It specifies the place of worship, the manner of performing sacrifices, and strongly warns against […]
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 02nd August 2026Is. 55:1-3; Ps 145:8-9, 15-16, 17-18; Rm. 8:35-9; Mt. 14:13-21 Theme: Compassion (Matt. 14:13-21) I have a dear friend who begins her morning by feeding her birds—the wild doves and sparrows who live in her garden. Daily she places seed on her window sill and the birds come […]
Parashat Eikev 31st July 2026Week of 24-31 JulyTorah portion: Dt. 7 :12-11 :25 Haftarah: Isa.49 :14-51:3Theme: You are my treasured possession! In our Parasha, Moses is giving his closing message to the Israelites. Eikev meaning ‘as a result,’ viewed this opportunity as a teachable moment and thus he reminded them of their rebellious nature which was witnessed on […]
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 26th July 2026 Lectionary Readings: 1Kings 3:5. 7-12; Ps. 119:57. 72. 76-77. 127-130; Romans 8:28-30; Mt. 13:44-52 Theme: The Quest for Greater Value Our readings this Sunday provide rich resources for reflection on the quest for greater value. As the passage from Matthew opens, the context has just shifted. Jesus […]
Parashat Vaetchanan 24th July 2026 Week of – 17th – 24thth July 2026 Torah portion : Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11; Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26 Theme: Hearken to the call to loyalty and love This Parashah begins with Moses telling the people about his “prayer” to the LORD God concerning his wish to be allowed to enter the Promised […]
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time 19th July 2026 Lectionary Readings: Wis. 12: 13.16-19; Ps. 85: 5-6. 9-10. 15-16; Rom. 8: 26-27; Matt. 13: 24–43Theme: be like a mustard seed who stubbornly persevere in faith The first highlight to notice is that the mustard seed allows one to describe something small, something irrelevant but paradoxically important. […]
Parashat Devarim 17th July 2026Week of 10 – 18 July 2026Torah portion : Deut. 1:1 – 3 :22; Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27Theme: “This book is a ‘one of a-kind’ treasure.” דברים 1:1-5 Words, the Torah portion “Devarim” serves as a profound introduction to the Book of Deuteronomy, the final book of the Torah. In this powerful […]
