“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. This well-known phrase is a fitting summary for one aspect of this week’s parasha, Ha’azinu.  Parasha Ha’azinu covers Deuteronomy 32 and translates to “Give ear”.  This is a fitting name for a parasha that truly needs to be listened to and understood. In […]

This week’s parasha is a double portion: Nitzavim (meaning “Those taking a stand”) and Vayelech (meaning “And he went”), and it covers Deuteronomy 29:9 through 31:30. In last week’s parasha Moses promised the Israelis that obedience to God’s commandments would bring blessings, and warned that disobedience would bring curses upon the nation. Here in chapter 29, Moses brings all Israel together […]

This week’s Torah portion is titled Kee Tavo (“When you come in”). It covers Deuteronomy chapters 26 thru 29:8. Our parasha begins with Moses assembling the nation of Israel to give instruction on two very specific ceremonies when they cross over the Jordan and take possession of the Promised Land. These two ceremonies were the […]

The name of this week’s Parasha is Ki Teitzei, which means “when you go out.”  It covers Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19, and deals with various rules and regulations that God commands the Jewish people to follow. In chapter 21, Moses instructs the Jewish people on the following situations:  how to treat female captives who are captured in […]

This week’s Parasha is called Va’Et’Chanan, which means, “And I pleaded.”  It covers Deuteronomy Chapter 3:23 – Chapter 7:11.  The parasha opens with Moses pleading with God to allow him to cross over into the Promised Land, but God refusing to allow Moses to enter the Promised Land.  If you remember, back in Numbers, Chapter […]

This Shabbat brings us to the introduction of the fifth book of Moses, known in the English Bible as Deuteronomy and in the Hebrew Bible as D’varim – “Words” covering Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22. The book begins, These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan in the wilderness…. The Hebrew […]

Note: This parasha was a collaboration by Don Sutton and Rabbi Glenn Harris. The audio version is given by Rabbi Glenn. This week consists of two Parashas. The first is entitled Mattot – “Tribes”. The second one is entitled Masei – “Journeys”. They span Numbers 30:2 – 36:13. Chapter 30 contains rules governing the making […]

The name of this week’s Parasha is Balak, which is named after Balak, the king of Moab who tried to entice the corrupt prophet Balaam into pronouncing curses on the Jewish people. It takes us from Numbers 22:5 through 25:9. Balak and the Moabites knew that the Jewish people were coming, and were afraid of […]

This week’s Parasha is titled Chukat or in English, “Decree of.” It encompasses Numbers 19 through 22:1. Last week’s Torah reading, Korach, established the authority of Moses as the leader of Israel, as well as Aaron’s authority over God’s chosen priestly line. Parasha Chukat shares with us three distinct biblical accounts that the young Israeli […]

This week’s Parasha is called Korach. It covers Numbers 16:1-18:32. Last week we read in the Torah that the mighty God would bring judgment on the 12 tribes because they went along with the faithlessness of the10 spies. Their disobedience would cause their entire generation of Israelis to die before they reach the Promised Land. […]