This week’s Torah portion is entitled Toldot, which is translated ‘Generations’ and covers Genesis 25:19-28:9. In Genesis – the foundational story of all Creation, there are several generational passages, and rightfully so. We are promised in Genesis chapter 3 that the seed of the woman, Messiah, would crush the head – destroy – the lesser […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Chayei Sarah, meaning ‘The Life of Sarah’, a seemingly ironic title, since the very first verse describes her death at the age of 127.  Why such a title then?  I believe it reflects the great legacy she left through her son Isaac and the generations to come; as well as […]

Today’s Parasha is entitled Lech Lecha meaning ‘Get Going’ or ‘Go Forth’ and covers Genesis 12:1-17:27. Within these chapters, God calls Abram to leave his country and his people, Abram obediently sets out, journeys to and through the land of Canaan, migrates for a time to Egypt, returns to Canaan, battles four kings, fathers a […]

This morning’s parasha is entitled Noach which means ‘rest’ or ‘comfort’. It covers Genesis 6:9-11:32. To review, in Genesis chapter 2 the Lord commanded Adam saying: “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day […]

This week our parasha is Ha’Azinu which translates to “Listen” and covers Deuteronomy 32.  Parasha Ha’Azinu is a very unique and special parasha.  Ha’Azinu is also the penultimate parasha and contains the final teaching and warning of Moses for our people.   This teaching that Moses was commissioned to write by the Lord takes the form […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Vayeilech, which means, “And He Went.”  It covers Deuteronomy 31:1 – 31:30.  At 30 verses, this is shortest parasha of the whole parasha cycle.  This year, this passage falls on a very special Shabbat, the Shabbat that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  This Shabbat is called “Shabbat Shuva”, […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Nitzavim, meaning “Those taking a stand”. This is a different word than the usual verb meaning to stand up. It conveys the idea of taking a moral stand – openly or publicly. This parasha covers Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20. Moses’ death was fast approaching. He was busy carrying out his final duties […]

This week’s Parasha is Ki Tavo, which means “when you come in” and covers Deuteronomy 26:1 through 29:9. In chapter 26 Moses is giving El Elyon, God most High’s command for the offerings of first fruits and tithes to be carried out once Israel crosses the Jordan River and enters the Promised Land. All that […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Ki Teitzei, meaning, “When you go out” and covers Deuteronomy chapters 21 through 25. This portion of the Torah contains very little narrative, but instead outlines a number of assorted commands – 72 by Maimonides’ reckoning! But I have to tell you, this section of the Torah contains some things which […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Shoftim, which means “Judges” and covers Deuteronomy 16:18 through 21:9. Moses instructed the Israelis to appoint judges that would show justice and impartiality in the cases they heard. He listened to the wise counsel of his father-in-law Jethro by selecting God-fearing judges from among the people to judge […]