As our parasha opens, we find that Sarah is 127 years old and about to pass away.  At this time, Abraham is 137 and Isaac would be 37 years of age. Sarah was 65 when she moved with Abraham to Canaan, in this great act of faith; she lived an additional 72 years.  When Sarah […]

This week’s parasha is Vayera, which is translated “And He Appeared”.  It covers Genesis chapters 18 through 22. In this week’s Torah portion, we find Abraham sitting at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.  Suddenly, he sees three “men”.  As they began to speak to him, it became clear to […]

Introduction In June of this year many were stunned and saddened to learn of the death of Anthony Bourdain – a world-renowned chef, author and host of the hit cable TV show, Parts Unknown. This wildly popular television ‘reality’ series chronicled Bourdain’s treks to exotic, sometimes extremely remote places few had ever seen. But the […]

The final weekly parasha is entitled V’zot HaB’racha, meaning,“and this is the blessing” and completes the annual cycle of Torah readings. Shortly before his death, Moses pronounces a blessing over the 12 tribes – a reiteration of what Jacob prophesied over his 12 sons five centuries earlier. The two blessings contain differences, and some of […]

Israel had sung the “Song of Moses” at the Red Sea, which celebrated their victory over the Egyptians due to the power of God but this new song points out Israel’s unfaithfulness and the Lord’s chastening of His own people. This song would indict the Israeli people for turning away from Adonai due to breaking […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Vayeilech, which means, “And He Went.”  It covers Deuteronomy, Chapter 31:1 – 31:30.  As the parasha opens, we find out that this day will be Moses’ last day on earth.  As Moses mentions in verse 2:  I am a hundred and twenty years old today; I am no longer able […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Nitzavim, which means “those taking a stand,” and covers Deuteronomy 29:9 through 30:20.  Moses stresses to the Israelis the importance of following the terms of this covenant.  Everyone there was standing in Adonai’s presence to enter a covenant with Him affirming they will be His people, and He […]

Several years ago I was on an Orthodox Jewish website doing some research. During my browsing I discovered their “Ask the Rabbi” section and an article caught my eye. The question concerned whether motives mattered when giving tzedakah. The person writing was concerned because they had been giving regularly, but lately were giving in the […]

This week’s Parasha is Ki Teitzei, translated: “When You Go Out”. It covers Deuteronomy 21-25:19. In these chapters, we find 72 of the Torah’s 613 commandments. Chapter 21 includes the command that when you went to war against your enemy, and the Lord delivered them into your hands; if you saw a beautiful woman, and […]

A.W. Tozer believed that the truest measure of a man is how he thinks about God. Perhaps the truest measure of a nation is how its judicial system functions. When innocent people go to prison because ambitious prosecutors suppress evidence, or officials commit perjury, or judges allow their political biases to influence cases, the judicial […]