Shabbat Chol HaMo'ed Sukkot
Torah : Exodus 33:12-34:26
Haftarah : Ezekiel 38:18-39:16

Thought for the Week:

Some people say, "There is no grace in the Old Testament." But "grace" is not a new concept found only in the "New Testament." The same word appears regularly in the Hebrew Scriptures, but our English translators typically translate it as "favor" instead of "grace." In Exodus 34, God describes Himself as "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin..." (Exodus 34:6-7)

Commentary:

After the sin of golden calf, Moses set out to restore the relationship between God and Israel. The LORD had disavowed Israel, no longer referring to them as His people. Rather, they are Moses' people: "Your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt," (Exodus 32:7) Moses complains that although he has remained in God's favor, he is being disfavored because he is told to lead the people without God's presence:

You have said, "I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.", if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may k...