Messiah in Life
Messiah in Life is hosted by Justin D. Elwell, Th.D., Messianic Rabbi at Messiah Congregation in New Hartford, New York. Specializing in biblical ethics and theology, Justin draws from a variety of Jewish, Messianic Jewish, and Christian sources to aid the listener in applying the full counsel of God’s Word to life, by faith in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus. New programs every week. Visit themountainmensch.com for articles, videos, and other features.
Episodes
155 episodes since 2021
Ki Tetze: Torah 49
Called to be a blessing. Abraham would not only be blessed of the Lord, but he would be a blessing to the nations. In Messiah, Jew and Gentile alike, as seed of Abraham, will also be a blessing. Yet, we cannot move or alter the safeguards set i...
September 12, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 51
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30:26
Shoftim: Torah 48
Judges were to judge righteously, officers were to quickly and rightly execute their judgment. Likewise, the prophet of the Lord was to speak righteously, leading the people of God along the way correctly. When His people turned to the right or...
September 05, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 50
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41:36
Re'eh: Torah 47
The imagery of this portion reminds us of the Shepherding Lord leading His flock to their promised pasture. What does the Psalm 23 teach us about the relationship between Shepherd and sheep, pleasant pastures and overshadowed valleys, spiritual...
August 29, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 49
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43:41
Eikev: Torah 46
In this portion, Moses reminds Israel of their miraculous provision from heaven, but then stresses, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." This is a statement of not only provision, but also mis...
August 22, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 48
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43:01
Va'etchanan: Torah 45
Moses continues to speak to the next generations, warning against idolatry, and the continued influence of the "broad way." He recounts the Ten Commandments, and the days leading to their revelation. He then speaks the central statement of bibl...
August 15, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 47
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36:51
Devarim: Torah 44
The Book of Deuteronomy opens with the first discourse of Moses. In these opening chapters, Moses reminds the children of Israel where they have come from, their failures, victories, and then encourages them for the days ahead. How does this op...
August 08, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 46
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41:45
Mattot/Massei: Torah 42/43
We find a double portion this week as we conclude the Book of Numbers. After an overview of the content in these portions, we look closely at a fear of Moses concerning the tribes of Reuben and Gad, a fear that manifests after the tribes are se...
August 01, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 45
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42:15
Pinchas: Torah 41
Torah portion Pinchas opens with the unfolding of the tragic plan of Balaam. Then, in an instant, one who had no position or authority stands and executes judgment upon a shameful act. In this portion we consider two leader, one who was given a...
July 25, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 44
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33:41
Balak: Torah 40
The scheme of Balak: how to destroy the children of Israel? Summon a prophet to curse them! Balaam was a prophet from the nations. The rabbis suggest the Balaam could have revealed the God of Israel to the nations, but he decided to use his pro...
July 18, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 43
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39:55
Chukat: Torah 39
The unusual and illogical command of the Red Heifer. Does does this command teach us about messianic faith? And why does so tragic events follow in the text? Is there a connection between the Red Heifer, the death of Miriam, the death of Aaron,...
July 11, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 42
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28:20
Korach: Torah 38
The troubling episode of Korach's rebellion. What was his motivation? To depose Moses? To replace Aaron as high priest? In this episode of Messiah in Life, we consider a few rabbinic thoughts, and then connect this rebellion to our own attitude...
July 04, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 41
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30:30
Shlach: Torah 37
What happened when the children of Israel stood at the boarder of the Promised Land? They listened to the voices of false witnesses, and by doing so, the exodus generation would slowly die one by one in the wilderness. This is a rather bleak de...
June 27, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 40
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34:00
Baha’alotcha: Torah 36
Why is Aaron told to "kindle the lights" of the Menorah between the princely dedicatory offering and the dedication of the Levites? Is there a lesson that we can learn from this while we serve the Lord today? Certainly. Give a listen. ...
June 20, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 39
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27:45
Nasso: Torah 35
What are some of the many ways the Lord "raises us" up in service to Him? The portion of Nasso, meaning count or lift up, identifies several ways that the Lord lifts us up in the life of faith. From being counted in a census, to being blessed b...
June 13, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 38
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28:35
Bamidbar: Torah 34
The Lord commands Aaron and Moses to count the children of Israel in the wilderness in a beautiful and profound way. What does this mean for us today? How does the opening of the book of Numbers minister to our life of faith in this era? There ...
June 06, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 37
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33:51
Bechukotai: Torah 33
In this last portion of the Book of Leviticus, we closely consider the blessing of rain. If it is the first of blessings listed for obedience, why does rain fall on the just and the unjust? Is there a lesson here for us in messianic faith to le...
May 30, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 36
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36:15
Behar: Torah 32
Before speaking of the Year of Release (Shemittah) and the Year of Jubilee, the Torah records that the Lord spoke these words to him upon Mt. Sinai, why? Is there a connection between the point of revelation and command, and their fulfillment? ...
May 23, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 35
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27:56
Emor: Torah 31
"Make every day count!" "I'm counting the days...!" We are all familiar with expressions like these, but why does the Lord command us to count the days? What is happening to us spiritually as we count the days between Passover and Pentecost? Th...
May 16, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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23:25
Acharei Mot/Kedoshim: Torah 29/30
In a combined Torah study, we consider the call to living holiness in the Lord. How can we love our neighbor as ourselves, not abuse the blind and the deaf, and walk in forgiveness? So much of our experience and faithful living in Messiah is wa...
May 09, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 33
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32:35
The Lure of the Cave
When David fled to the cave of Adullam, what did the Lord do? David had a messy life at this point. He was anointed the king of Israel, but a king without land, power, influence, or a throne. With Saul seeking to kill him, David seeks a hiding ...
May 02, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 32
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28:21
Ma Nishtana: Why? This Story
As the Passover Seder begins the seminal question of the evening is asked by a child: Why? "Why is this night different from all other nights?"References: Exodus 12:26; 13:8, 14; Matthew 28:18-20.
April 25, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 31
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14:41
Metzora: Torah 28
We continue to consider the meaning of spiritual leprosy, and how we may find evidence of that today. What is the opposite of the "evil tongue"? Are we expected to just say nice things in order to be nice? Or, does the Lord show us something pr...
April 18, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 30
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30:16
Tazria: Torah 27
How you ever gossiped about someone? How did that gossip make you feel after the other person found out? Or, when your gossip continued to spread, but not exactly how you said it, how then did you feel? Were you able to reconcile? How did the L...
April 11, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 29
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26:25
Sh'mini: Torah 26
The 8th day! How do we find holy meaning in everyday life? Can there be importance in the most basic aspects of human life? Absolutely. There is a beautiful connection between the intricate details of the priests beginning their ministry, and h...
April 04, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 28
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35:01
Tzav: Torah 25
What's wrong with leftovers? I like leftovers. Do you? Well, there is an issue with leftovers concerning certain sacrifices. What lesson do we learn from the leftovers, or lack thereof? Is there a life lesson for us in this today? Give a listen...
March 28, 2024
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Season 3
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Episode 27
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37:06