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

Today’s parasha is titled “Re eh”, which means “to see”. This Torah portion, from Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17, describes a blessing and a curse from God.  In chapter 11:26 – 28, God says, “see, I am setting before you a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord and […]

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is called Eikev meaning “consequence”. Israel is told that if they will be faithful to observe Adonai’s commandments, the ‘consequences’ will be blessing and health, prosperity and protection. But that’s a big ‘IF’. God promises to go before us to drive out the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, who […]

This week our parasha is Va’etchanan, meaning “and I pleaded” and covers Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11.  This parasha contains many laws, as well as the Shema, and the repeating of The Ten Commandments.  However, this morning I would like to discuss the plea of Moses to our people, both then and now, and how it is still […]

This week’s Torah portion begins the book of Deuteronomy, or in Hebrew D’varim. In the weekly cycle of readings, the key word in the first sentence of the passage becomes the title of the reading. D’varim means “words”. The book opens this way: These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel across the […]

This week our parasha is Pinchas, which covers Numbers 25:10-30:1.  Parasha Pinchas teaches us that we should have great boldness in standing up for what is right, seeking the promises of Adonai, and accepting the responsibilities we are given. We begin with the Lord commending Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron, for his actions during the […]

This week our parasha is “Balak,” named after the wicked King of Moab and covers Numbers 22:2 – 25:9.  In this parasha we learn that no one can stop the will of God and that the Lord can sometimes use the most unlikely and unwilling of people to accomplish His will. Numbers 22 begins with […]

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 parasha is called Korach, named for the leader of one of the largest and most severe revolts against the leadership of Moses and Aaron during the wilderness journey.  Our passage for this week covers Numbers 16:1 – 18:32. While all those who served at the Tabernacle and later at the Temple are descendants […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Sh’lach L’cha, which means “Send For Yourself” and covers Numbers 13:1-15:41.  Adonai told Moses in chapter 13 to send leaders from each of Israel’s tribes to explore Canaan.  Included in this list are Caleb, representing Judah, and Hoshea (whom Moses re-named Joshua), representing Ephraim. Moses told these men […]