This week our parasha is Ki Teitzei, which means “When You Go Out”, and covers Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19. Parasha Ki Teizei covers a large variety of topics and has 74 different commandments. This morning I would like to focus on a few of the commandments of this parasha. Woven through the many different topics of parasha […]

This Parasha begins in chapter 16 verse 18, where the commandment from the Lord states that the Israelis were to appoint judges in all the cities they reside in. These judges would determine one’s guilt and one’s fate. The judges were instructed to not pervert justice, show no partiality, and accept no bribes (for bribe […]

This week’s parasha, entitled Re’eh, means “See”. It covers Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17. Re’eh is the very first word. “See, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse.” The Israelis are at the crossroads of their journey. As they prepare to take possession of Canaan, Moses gives a stern warning. He warns […]

Shabbat Shalom, this week’s Parasha is Eikev, which means “Consequence”, and covers Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25.  We start in Chapter 7 with Moses telling our people to listen to the rules that the Lord has given them. If they are willing to listen and obey then the Lord promises to love, bless, and multiply them. […]

This weeks Torah portion is entitled “Va-etchanan” meaning – “And I pleaded”. It covers Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11. Moses is covering the events of the last 40 years in the desert. Here, Moses is using the experiences and failures of the past 40 years to instruct and warn the nation of Israel about the manner in which […]

Our parasha passage for this week is entitled, D’varim, which means “words.”  This passage covers Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22.  The parasha name 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 their journey through the wilderness after […]

The Torah reading for this week consists of two parashas. First, we have Mattot, meaning Tribes. It covers Numbers chapter 30:1–32:42. Secondly, we have Masei, which means Journeys. It covers 33:1-36:13. Moses was told to speak with all the leaders of Israel and to tell them about these commands from the Lord: “If a man […]

This morning’s parasha (Numbers 22:2-25:9) is entitled Balak, the name of the king of Moab, who attempted to hire Balaam the seer to come and curse Israel. It had become evident that God was giving Israel victory after victory over the nations adjacent to Canaan. Fearing the same fate for his own country, Balak sends […]

This week’s parasha is entitled, Chukat, which means “statute” and covers Numbers, chapters 19:1 – 22:1. Chapter 19 explains the sacrifice of the red heifer and the purpose for that. The red heifer was designated as a type of sin offering, but it was for a very special type of sin.  Let’s look at the […]

Shabbat Shalom. This week’s Parasha is Sh’Lach L’cha meaning “Send Out” and covers Number 13:1 – 15:41. We begin with the Lord telling Moses to send out twelve men into Canaan. Moses instructed them to see if the Canaanites were strong or weak, how many lived there, and to see how good the land was. […]