Against the backdrop of rising antisemitism, attendees discussed leadership, solidarity and expanding engagement between black communities and Israel.

What we learn of God’s ordered ways relating to life on earth, must surely be to teach us about His ways for all eternity.

Every nation of the world should study this week’s Torah portion, especially those who seek to do Israel harm.

The Bible has many examples of people who responded to God for His purposes in their day, not realising how their relatively simple motivations and obedience was part of God’s greater eternal purposes.

How important it is to both read the Torah portion in context and also to understand the relevance of its teaching for every generation.

This week’s Torah portion, Shelach Lecha, reminds us that faith—not fear—is the key to entering God’s promises. Through Israel’s failure and God’s grace, we are challenged to remain steadfast, trusting in His ultimate plan and the coming of His heavenly Kingdom.

The light of God, symbolised by the Menorah, fulfilled in Yeshua and shared with His disciples through the gift of the Holy Spirit, must shine ever brighter in an ever darkening world.

On Shavuot, God’s purpose was to give His people the Ten Commandments, ten things that form the basis of all His Torah, interpretable into the entire life of righteousness before God.

God calls by name and appoints each one He chooses for His purpose. Nowhere in the Bible do we find anyone deciding for himself or herself what to be, in the service of God’s Kingdom.