從古時起，在全世界的猶太會堂會一週一次在安息日讀經，從摩西五經（妥拉）到先知的書（先知書）。本週的內容被給予一個希伯來名，出自於經文內容起頭的字。每週慣例讀經的實例剛好記載在路加福音四章16節，耶穌來到拿撒勒的會堂，讀了一段先知書（以賽亞書61章）。我們發現每週一次閱讀這些內容，不僅提供我們機會，與世界成千上萬的猶太人來確認神話語的內容，在我們為以色列與猶太人的代禱上，聖靈更時常貼切的啟發具體的內容禱告。

註：在上一週的妥拉裡，我們沒有提到上週六（四月四日）是逾越節前的安息日，又稱為『大安息日』（Shabbat haGadol）。因此，先知書會特別讀到瑪垃基書3:4-4:6。『大』這個字是來自於四章5節：『耶和華大而可畏之日』。這段經文有著極大的能力，我們強烈推薦大家在逾越節前用為以色列禱告的方式來閱讀。

在逾越節和除酵節這一週（四月8-15日），每一天都有特別的閱讀內容。對那些想要跟著讀的人，逾越節前半週的段落分別是：

四月八日星期三：出埃及記12:21-51 / 約書亞記5:2-15; 6:1,27

四月九日星期四：利未記22:26-23:44 / 列王記下23:1-25

四月十日星期五：出埃及記13:1-16 / 民數記28:19-25

四月十一日星期六（安息日）：出埃及記33:12-34:26 / 民數記28:19-25 / 以西結書36:37-37:14 / 雅歌全

馬汀和娜瑪‧賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷

This week's Torah Portion:
From ancient times there has been a weekly portion from the first five books of Moses (The Torah) and from the prophets (Haftarah) read on the Sabbath in synagogues around the world. This portion is given a Hebrew name taken from the opening words of the passage. An illustration of this practice appears to have been recorded in Luke 4:16 where Yeshua (Jesus) arrived in the synagogue in Nazareth and was asked to read the portion (Isaiah 61) from the Prophets. We have found that in perusing these weekly readings, not only are we provided opportunity to identify in the context of God's Word with millions of Jewish people around the world, but very often the Holy Spirit will illumine specific passages pertinent that week in our intercession for the Land and people of Israel.

NOTE: In last week's Update, we failed to mention that this past Saturday (April 4), being the last Sabbath before Passover, is known as "Shabbat haGadol"-or, "The Great Sabbath". As such, it had a special Haftarah reading, Malachi 3:4-4:6 (In English Bibles). The word "Gadol", or "Great" takes its name from the "Great and dreadful day of the LORD" in 4:5. There is great power in this passage-and we strongly recommend reading it prayerfully over Israel during the remaining days before Passover.

During the week of Passover and Unleavened Bread (8-15 April), there are special readings for each day. For those who would wish to follow these, the passages for the first half of Passover Week are:

Wednesday, April 8th: Exodus 12:21-51;Joshua 5:2-15; 6:1,27

Thursday, April 9th: Leviticus 22:26-23:44 ; II Kings 23:1-25

Friday, April 10th: Exodus 13:1-16; Numbers 28:19-25

Saturday (Sabbath): April 11th: Exodus 33;12-34:26; Numbers 28:19-25;Ezekiel 36:37-37:14;SONG OF SONGS (Song of Solomon)

Martin and Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem