The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is called Ki Tisa and is found in Exodus 30:11-34:35. While Moses is on the mountain receiving the Ten Statements (10 Commandments), the people despair of his return and demand that Aaron “make us a god who shall go before us.” Aaron fashions the Golden Calf and the next day the people […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is called Tetzaveh and is found in Exodus 27:20-30:10. Moses is told to instruct the Israelites to prepare olive oil for lighting the Ner Tamid, the “eternal light” in the wilderness sanctuary. God then gives instructions for making the special vestments for Aaron, the high priest, and his sons, the regular priests. […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is called Terumah and is found in Exodus 25:1 – 27:19. God tells Moses to instruct the Israelites to bring gifts – precious metals, fine fabrics, skins, wood, oil, spices, and jewels – for the building of the mishkan–the portable sanctuary– and its furnishings. God says, “Let them make Me a […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Yitro and is found in Exodus 18:1-20:23. In this parasha, Moses’ father-in-law Jethro (Yitro) hears about the Exodus and what God has done for the Israelites and comes to visit his son-in-law, bringing Moses’ wife Zipporah and their sons. Jethro acknowledges the greatness of God and offers a sacrifice. The next […]
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, 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 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 […]
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, […]