The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Bo and is found in Exodus 10:1-13:16. In this parasha, we conclude the story of the Israelites in Egypt. Pharaoh’s stubbornness continues, and Egypt experiences the eighth and ninth plagues – locusts and darkness. Moses announces the final plague – the death of the firstborn – to Pharaoh, but once again Pharaoh doesn’t listen. […]
The Torah portion this week is Vaera and is found in Exodus 6:2-9:35. In this parasha, God persuades an unwilling and hesitant Moses to take his brother Aaron, and ask Pharaoh to let the Israelite people go. Moses is already discouraged because, in visiting with his people and telling them about God’s impending deliverance, their spirits are so […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Shemot and is found in Exodus 1:1-6:1. As we start the book of Exodus, the Torah changes from being the story of a family to the story of a people. The Egyptian king fears and hates the Israelites and enslaves them. When this oppression fails to curb their growth, Pharaoh […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Vayigash and is found in Genesis 44:18-47:27. The story continues with Joseph’s brothers still in Egypt and Benjamin being accused of stealing Joseph’s divining cup. Judah, the brother who had originally come up with the idea of selling Joseph, steps up and offers himself as a substitute slave, so that […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Miketz and is found in Genesis 41:1-44:17. Pharaoh dreams of seven lean cows devouring seven fat cows and seven thin ears of grain consuming seven healthy ears. The chief cupbearer who had been in prison with Joseph remembers Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams. Pharaoh sends for Joseph, who tells him that […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Vayeshev and is found in Genesis 37:1-40:23. Jacob and his family are now settled in Canaan. The parashah begins when Joseph is 17 years old; he is hated and envied by his brothers because he is the favorite of his father. They see him as a tattletale and are perturbed […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Vayishlach and is found in Genesis 32:4-36:43. In this parasha, Jacob and his family continue their journey away from Laban’s home to return to Canaan. After 20 years away, Jacob nervously prepares for a reunion with his brother, Esau, whom he fears still remembers him as the one who stole […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Vayetzei and is found in Genesis 28:10-32:3. In this parasha, we continue the story of Jacob, who has set out for Haran, fleeing Esau’s wrath. He stops for the night and dreams of a stairway (or ladder) between earth and heaven with angels ascending and descending. God speaks to Jacob […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Toldot and is found in Genesis 25:19-28:9. In this parasha, Isaac marries Rebecca, who remains childless for years. Isaac prays on her behalf and she conceives. She feels two children struggling within her, goes to inquire of God, and is told that there are two nations in her womb. Rebecca gives […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Chayei Sarah and is found in Genesis 23:1-25:18. In this parasha, Sarah dies at 127, and Abraham approaches the Hittites about acquiring a burial place. He bargains with Ephron and buys the cave of Machpelah and the surrounding field from him. Abraham sends his senior servant, Eliezer, to his family in Aram-naharaim to […]