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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Shoftim and is found in Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9. In this parasha, Moses reminds the people of God’s admonition to appoint judges and officers in the all their communities to insure the administration of justice. “Justice, Justice, shall you pursue that you may thrive and occupy the land the Lord, your God, […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Re’eh and is found in Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17. In this parasha, Moses reiterates the parameters of the covenantal relationship God sets before the people. In particular, the people are admonished to abolish idols and not sacrifice at Canaanite shrines, but worship only God. Moses also reminds the people of the importance of […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Eikev and is found in Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25. In this parasha, Moses reiterates to the people that if they obey the commandments, God will reward them. With God’s help, they will destroy the Canaanite nations, paying particular attention to wiping out all their idols. Moses calls on the Israelites to remember […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Va’etchanan and is found in Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11. In this parasha, Moses continues his speech to the people, giving them the first of several exhortations in this parasha about the importance of obeying God’s commandments, with particular emphasis on the prohibition of idolatry. Moses again exhorts the people to study […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Devarim and is found in Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22. In this parasha we begin the book of Deuteronomy, or Devarim which, in Hebrew, means “words”. In Numbers or Bamidbar (“in the wilderness”), we end with the people getting ready to enter the land of Israel. They pause at the border where Moses will not be crossing over […]