This week’s Parasha is Vayetze and covers Genesis 28:10 – 32:3. Jacob has had to flee home after deceiving his father into giving him the blessing intended for Esau and, at his parents’ instructions, journeys to his uncle, Laban. In chapter 28, Jacob has traveled a full day’s distance, and arrives at a certain place […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Toldot, which means “generations” and covers Genesis 25:19-28:9.  Isaac prayed to Adonai for his wife Rebecca to bear children and he got a two-for-one deal!  During Rebecca’s pregnancy, the children struggled inside her and she asked the Lord why.  God told her that two nations were inside her; […]

This week’s parasha, Genesis 23:1-25:18, is Chayei Sarah, meaning “The Life of Sarah” the title of which is a little ironic, since it records her death (at 127 years of age). After grieving for Sarah, Abraham approaches the sons of Heth in nearby Hebron to negotiate the purchase of a field and a cave in […]

This week’s Torah portion is entitled VaYera.  VaYera means, “And He appeared.”  It covers Genesis 18:1-22:24. Chapter 18 opens with Abraham sitting by his tent and God, manifested in the flesh as Yeshua, appears before him with two angels.  Abraham invites these three to a meal and quickly tells Sarah to prepare bread while he […]

This week our parasha is Lech Lecha which means “Go Forth” and covers Genesis 12:1-17:27. Parasha Lech Lecha introduces us to the father of the Jewish people, Abram Son of Terah, and his extraordinary faith in Adonai. Genesis 12 begins by immediately thrusting us into what will be the turning point in Abram’s life, the […]

This week’s Parasha is entitled Noach (Noah) whose name means ‘rest’, or ‘quiet’. It covers Genesis 6:9 through 11:32. Noah is described as a just man and perfect in his generation. Noah walked with God, despite living during a time of great wickedness. Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, and each of them […]

This morning’s parasha is called Ha’azinu and means “Give ear”. It covers Deuteronomy chapter 32. The Song of Moses represents the last time that Moses will speak to the Israelis before he dies on Mount Nebo. This song was meant to be taught to every Israeli as a reminder of the past, and a warning […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Vayelech, which means “and he went” and covers Deuteronomy 31:1-30.  Moses told the Jewish people that when they entered the Promised Land, Joshua would be their leader, and Adonai would go before them to deliver the nations there into their hands.  Those nations would suffer the fate of […]

This week’s parasha is entitled, Nitzavim, meaning “standing.”  It covers Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20. In Chapter 29, all the people have gathered before the Lord in order to enter into the covenant with Him.   In verse 15, we find that not only does this covenant involve those present at that time, but that this covenant […]

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, charity. The person writing was concerned because they had been giving charity regularly, but lately were giving […]