This week’s parasha is titled Shoftim which means “Judges.” It takes us from Deuteronomy 16:18 through 21:9. Moses was instructed to select men to be judges and officers for every town that Adonai had given to Israel. These men were to be fair in judging, always, so that controversies might be settled, injustices made right, […]

This week our parasha is Eikev, which means “consequence”, and covers Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25. In this parasha we will see the importance of our choices and that personal transformation is possible and required by the Lord. Our parasha begins in chapter 7 with Moses continuing his instruction to our people on the border of the Promised […]

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is called Va’etchanan, meaning “and I pleaded”. It covers Deuteronomy chapters 3:23 through 7:11. As the parasha opens, Moses was pleading with Adonai to reconsider allowing him to cross over into the Land of Promise. God’s answer was a firm “No” but He did allow Moses to ascend Mt. […]

Our parasha passage for this week is entitled, D’varim, which means “words.”  In this case, “words” means something of consequence.  This passage covers Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22.  This comes from the Hebrew in Chapter 1:1:  Eleh ha d’varim, “these are the words.”  This last book of the Torah contains Moses’ overview of the history of […]

The torah reading for this week consist of two parashas. First, we have Mattot, meaning tribes. It is taken from the book of Numbers 30:1-32:42. Secondly, we have Masei, which means journeys. It begins in chapter 33:1-36:13. Moses was told to speak with all the leaders of Israel and tell them about these commands from […]

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Pinchas, which describes Israel’s sin with the Moabites, followed by the quick action of Phinehas, who stopped the plague upon Israel, which took the lives of 24,000 Israelis. Chapter twenty-five begins with Moab sending beautiful women to entice Israeli men to join in their idolatrous sacrifices, and God’s fury […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Balak and covers Numbers 22:2-25:9. It tells the story of the Moabite king who hired a wicked prophet, to attempt to bring a curse on the Nation of Israel. After Israel defeated Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings, the Moabites joined forces with their longtime enemies the Midianites to […]

Today’s Parasha is called Chukat (translated: Decrees or Ordinances) and covers Numbers 19:1-22:1. This morning we will concentrate on Chapter 20 and 21 In chapter 20, the death of Miriam takes place. After 37 years of wandering, the Jewish people are camped at Kadesh. Miriam’s burial is performed quickly, without much said about it. And […]

This week’s Torah portion is entitled, Korach, the name of the Levite leader who attempted an unsuccessful insurrection against Moses and Aaron. Who was Korah? Chapter 16 identifies him as a descendant of Levi by Kohath, who was the brother of Amram, Moses’ father. So, Korah was actually Moses’ cousin. The incident of his rebellion […]

This Shabbat’s parasha is Sh’lach L’cha, meaning “send out for yourself…”. God directed Moses, “Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel…” Moses selected twelve leaders, one from each tribe, including Caleb from the tribe of Judah, […]