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 is unable to conceive for years. When Isaac prays for her and she does conceive, she feels two children struggling in her womb. She inquires of God who tells her this is because there are two […]
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 find […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Vayera and is found in Genesis 18:1-22:24. In this parasha, Abraham is visited by three guests. They tell Abraham that God plans to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham bargains with God pleading for Him to save the cities if there are at least 50 righteous people, reducing the number […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Lech-Lecha and is found in Genesis 12:1-17:27.In this parasha, God calls Abram and tells him to leave his homeland and go to a land and 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 […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Bereshit and is found in Genesis 1:1-6:8. We have finished our Torah reading cycle and we begin again in Genesis with the story of beginnings–creation. When God began to create the heaven and earth, everything was chaotic, unformed, and empty. Through a very orderly process, God brings into being different aspects of […]
The Torah portions, or parashot, this week is detail the instuctions for Sukkot. These can be found in Leviticus 22:26-23:44 and Numbers 29:12-16. For Sukkot, the Israelites are commanded to observe the festival a full 7 days and to waive a combination of specified tree branches and fruits (which we know today as the lulav and […]
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 […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Vayeilech and is found in Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30. Vayeilech – the shortest Torah portion of the year – begins with Moses, ever the visionary leader, preparing his people for national continuity after his death. The Israelites need not fear. Joshua will assume national leadership and God will champion their cause. The people […]
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 […]