This week’s Torah portion, Haazinu, provides a prophetic snapshot of our nation’s long history. It speaks of G-d’s eternal love for His nation. The Torah speaks glowingly of how the Jews followed G-d in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt, trusting that He would provide for their needs. He subsequently brings them to the […]
Parshat Nitzavim opens with Moses gathering the entire Jewish people for the last time in his life. He warns them not to be tempted by the evil ways of idolaters, and not to rationalize inappropriate behavior by saying “G-d will forgive us.” This belief, he says, will ultimately cause our people much punishment and exile […]
Parshas Shoftim underscores the vital role that law and order plays in Jewish life. The portion opens with the commandment to establish a judicial system in the Land of Israel. Every city is to have courts and judges, as well as officers to enforce the decisions of the court. A judge must treat all of […]
In Parshas Re’eh, Moses continues to encourage the Jewish people to follow the path of Torah and to trust in G-d. He unambiguously puts the commandments in perspective, stating that the Jewish People will be blessed if they observe the Torah and, G-d forbid, cursed if they do not. After explaining some details about the […]
This week’s Torah portion, Va’eschanan, can be dubbed “Judaism 101,” for in it Moshe outlines the basic tenets of our faith. This week’s parsha states: · G-d loves the Jewish People. Moshe tells the Jews that they weren’t selected by G-d to become His nation because they were the most populous or winners of a […]
Parshat Maasei opens with a review of the journeys the Jews traveled during their forty years in the Sinai Desert, where they camped in a total of 42 cities. The Torah then focuses its attention on the Jews entering the Land of Israel. They are commanded to drive out the Canaanites; if not, these people […]
The parsha of Mattos opens with a discussion of the laws of vows and oaths. The Torah impresses upon us to take our words seriously and not fall victim to the “talk is cheap” mentality. The Torah then describes the Jewish people’s battle against Midian and their eventual victory. Before the Jews cross into the […]
Parshas Pinchos opens with the culmination of the saga that began in last week’s portion, when Pinchas, Aaron’s grandson, slew the prince of the tribe of Shimon as he publicly engaged in a licentious act. G-d rewards Pinchas with the Covenant of Peace and the priesthood. Pinchas’s quick response stops a plague that had broken […]
This week’s parsha, Sh’lach, recounts a pivotal episode in the Jewish People’s journey through the desert. As the Jewish People prepare to enter the Land of Israel, they send twelve eminent leaders to survey the Promised Land, ten of whom return with negative reports. Caleb and Joshua are the only ones who speak well of […]
This week’s portion, Nasso, is the longest parsha in the Torah. It describes and assigns the care- taking jobs that the Levites were to perform to serve the Creator in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Torah then commands that people who are afflicted with certain spiritual impurities are to be removed from the Jewish camp to […]