sst1924 / Uncategorized /
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 […]
sst1924 / Genesis, Torah, Uncategorized /
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 […]
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 […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Lech-Lecha and is found in Genesis 12:1-17:27. In this parsha, God calls Abram and tells him to leave his homeland and go to a land God will show him. There he will become a great nation and God will bless him. Abram, his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot travel to Canaan. After […]
sst1924 / Genesis, Torah, Uncategorized /
The Torah portion for this week is Noach and is found in Genesis 6:9-11:32. In the Parashah, people have grown so corrupt that God decrees that He will destroy all of civilization with a flood. Noah, who has demonstrated moral stature for his generation, and his family are saved. Noah builds an ark according to God’s instructions and together, […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Bereshit and is found in Genesis 1:1-6:8. In this portion, we start anew our yearly Torah reading cycle. The Torah begins with God’s work of creation. Chapter 1 describes a very orderly process. Cosmos, replete with earthly flora and fauna, replaces chaos in six days of divine effort. Humankind is the crowning achievement […]
sst1924 / Deuteronomy, Torah /
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Ha’Azinu and is found in Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52. In this portion, Moses recites the poem God had instructed him to write down and teach to the people. This passage is often referred to as the Song of Moses, which is his last message to the people before he dies and Joshua […]
sst1924 / Deuteronomy, Torah /
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Vayeilech and is found in Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30. It is the passage traditionally read during the High Holy Days and prompts us to reflect on our actions and choices. In this parasha, we hear Moses’ last message to the people. Moses reminds the people that they are entering into a covenant […]
sst1924 / Deuteronomy, Torah /
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Nitzavim and is found in Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20. It is the passage traditionally read before the High Holy Days and prompts us to reflect on our actions and choices. In this parasha, we hear Moses’ last message to the people. Moses reminds the people that they are entering into a covenant with God […]
sst1924 / Deuteronomy, Torah /
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Ki Teitzei and is found in Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19. This parasha is rich in reminders of mitzvot–religious obligations we perform that, in turn, bless God. In fact, over 70 mitzvot are named in this passage. Many of these mitzvot are actually righteous and just actions we do for others and not directly to God. For […]