This week’s Parasha begins with Jacob sending messengers to his brother Esau in the land of Edom, with hopes of reconciling with him before they come together and meet.  The messengers arrive to meet with Esau and are instructed to let him know that Jacob considers Esau to be his lord and that Jacob considers […]

This week’s Torah portion is Vayetze, which means “and he went out.”  It covers Genesis, Chapter 28:10 – 32:2. In Chapter 28, we find Jacob departing from his home in Beersheba and heading to Haran, his ancestral homeland.  He ends up spending the night in an open area where he sees a vision of a great ladder descending […]

This week’s Parasha is entitled Toledot, meaning Generations. It is taken from the book of Genesis 25:19-28:9. Adonai promised to make Isaac, the only son of Abraham by his wife Sarah, a great nation. Isaac’s descendants through Jacob would become the Chosen People. Isaac was 40 years old when he took Rebecca, the daughter of […]

Our Parasha begins with the announcement that Sara has died at the age of 127. Abraham mourns, then asks his neighbors, the sons of Heth, to grant him burial space. They greatly admired and respected Abraham, and offered to give him the choicest land free of charge. But Abraham insisted on purchasing it. In chapter […]

This week our Torah portion is Vayera, which means “And He Appeared.” Vayera covers Genesis 18:1-22:24. Genesis 18 begins with the Lord and two angels appearing to Abraham disguised as men. Abraham greets them and immediately offers his hospitality. During their meal of bread, meat, and milk, the Lord promises Abraham this time next year […]

This week’s Parasha starts out with God saying these words “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation.  Noah walked with God and had three sons She, Ham, and Japheth.” This was the time before Moses had given the law, so Noah does not have the standard of what would be righteous on his […]

This week’s Parasha is entitled Ha’azinu which means “Give Ear”.  It covers Deuteronomy chapter 32, and consists primarily of the Song of Moses, which can be seen as both a love song to Adonai, and a chastisement of the people of Israel. The songs and poems that made it into the Bible are Holy Spirit […]

This morning, we have a double-parasha: Nitzavim and Vayelech. Nitzavim means “Those Standing” and Vayelech means “And He Went”. These consecutive Torah portions mark a pivotal moment in Israel’s journey. Moses delivers a profound farewell address, and recounts the words of the covenant between Adonai and Israel. Chapter twenty-nine opens with Moses reminding Israel of […]

Last week’s parasha was entitled Kee Taytasay (“When you go out”). This week it’s Kee Tavo (“When you come in”), covering Deuteronomy 26:1 through 29:8. Coming and going – sounds like the history of the Jewish people, doesn’t it? And all that sojourning began with our father Abraham. Kee Tavo opens on a hopeful, joyful […]

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Kee Taytzay, which means, “when you go out,” and covers Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19. This passage deals with issues related to morality, marriage, divorce, following through on vows, and other issues.  We will not be able to cover every topic presented in this passage, so I would suggest that […]