The name of this week’s Parasha is Re’eh, which means “see” and covers Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17.  Moses presented the blessings for obedience, and the curses for disobedience, to Adonai’s commandments described earlier in Deuteronomy 11.  Upon entering the Promised Land, the Jewish people would proclaim the blessings on Mount Gerizim and the curses on Mount Ebal, […]

This week’s Torah portion is titled Eikev. It takes us from Chapters 7:12 to 11:25 in the book of Deuteronomy.  Eikev translates to English as – because; but more specific – “a consequence of” referring to an action. Parasha Eikev is a continuation of Moses translating God’s commandments, judgments and statutes to the newly formed […]

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Va’Etchanan, meaning “And I Pleaded.”  It covers Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11.  This Parasha is a rich and powerful reading.  In addition to the preparations and warnings for crossing over the Jordan and possessing the inheritance God has promised His people, it contains the reiteration of the Ten Commandments, the Shema, instructions […]

This Shabbat’s parasha is entitled, D’varim, and covers Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22.  D’varim comes from the Hebrew in the opening verse: “Eleh had’varim…”, “these are the words.” D’varim is also the name of this 5th and final book of the Torah. Deuteronomy reveals much about the attributes of God. It is directly quoted over 40 […]

This week our parasha is Masei which translates to “Journeys”.  Masei covers Numbers 33:1-36:13 and completes the book of Numbers.  This parasha summarizes the journeys of our people and contains strong warnings that apply not just to the generation entering the land of Israel, but to those reading today as well. Chapter 33, written to […]

This weeks Torah portion is Mattot, meaning “Tribes” and spans Numbers chapters 30-32. Here in chapter 30 Moses has summoned the leaders of the tribes and has important instructions to give them, specifically about the sacredness of fulfilling one’s vows. God commands the absolute necessity of making good on our oaths when invoking His name, and […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Balak, the name of the King of Moab, which means “devastator” or “one who lays waste”. It takes us from Numbers Chapter 22: 2 through 25:9. This parasha opens as Israel traveled to the Jordan Valley in Moab, where they camped near the Jordan River, across from Jericho. Israel’s tribes […]

Today’s Parasha is called “Chukat” (translated: Decrees or Ordinances)and covers Numbers 19:1-22:1. Chapter 19 prescribes the offerings and ashes of the Red Heifer. This red female cow was to be used for purification. It had to be without any defect or blemish – meaning it was physically perfect and had no other colors on it. […]

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is called Korach, named after the leader of an infamous rebellion against Moses and Aaron; one which ended catastrophically. This parasha covers Numbers 16-18. It is the third challenge to Moses’ leadership in a row; the first having come from his own siblings, Aaron and Miriam (on the pretext of […]

The name of this week’s Parasha is Sh’lach Lecha, which means “send” 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.  Caleb, who represented Judah, and Hoshea (whom Moses re-named Joshua), who represented Ephraim, are included in this list. Moses told these men […]