Our parasha passage for this week is entitled, D’varim, which means “words or matters,” i.e, 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 their journey […]

This week we have a double parasha with Matot and Masei which translates to “Tribes” and “Journeys” Respectively. Parasha Matot covers Numbers 30:2–32:42 and Masei covers Numbers 33:1-36:13, this is also the final parasha for the book of Numbers.  These parashas speak on the importance of vows and promises and teach us the importance of […]

This week’s Torah portion, which covers Numbers 25:10 up to chapter 30, is entitled Pinchas, who was the son of Eleazar and the grandson of Aaron.  In last week’s Parasha, after being enticed by Moabite women, many men of Israel succumbed to the worship of Ba’al.  Because of this, God brought down a plague that […]

This week’s Parasha is called Balak, which means devastator, and covers Numbers 22:2 – 25:9.  In last week’s Parasha, the Israelis decisively defeat the Amorites because the Amorites did not want them passing through their land. This week we find the Israelis camped near the border of Moab. King Balak saw how the Israeli army […]

This week’s parashah is entitled Chukat meaning ‘statute’ or ‘regulation’. It covers Numbers 19:1 -22:1. It teaches us about the ordinance of the red Heifer, the water of purification, Israel’s wandering in the wilderness, the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ sin, the bronze serpent and tells of Moses’ approaching death. Today I would like to […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Korach, which means “Korah” and covers Numbers 16-18.  Moses’ authority was challenged by a faction led by Korah, son of Kohath, from the tribe of Levi, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On from the tribe of Reuben, along with 250 Israeli leaders.  They objected to the restriction that […]

The parasha this Shabbat is called Sh’lach L’cha, meaning “send out for yourself” and spans Numbers: 13-15. God said to Moses, “Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel.” Moses chose one leader from each of the tribes, and […]

This week’s parasha is titled, Behaalotecha, meaning “when you set up,” and covers Numbers 8:1 – 12:16.  “When you set up” refers to setting up and directing the light of the golden lampstand of the tabernacle, the construction of which was described in Exodus 25:31 – 40. Chapter 8 describes the cleansing of the Levites.  […]

Our parasha for this week is Naso which means “lift up”.  Parasha Naso covers Numbers 4:21–7:89 and concerns priestly duties, laws for dealing with an unfaithful wife, the Nazirite vow, the Aaronic blessing, and the consecration of the Tabernacle.  This morning I plan to focus on the Nazirite Vow. We find in chapter 6 the […]

Today’s parasha is BaMidbar, meaning “In the Wilderness” and begins the book of Numbers covering Numbers 1:1-4:20. A little over a year has passed since Israel had left Egypt.  They had been encamped at Mt. Sinai while God has been preparing them to march into the Promised Land.  When they first left Egypt, they were […]