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Parasha Chayei Sarah (Life of Sarah): The Fruit of Discipline

October 25, 2013 The readings this week present a stark contrast between Abraham’s household and David’s. Abraham’s son Isaac so respected and trusted his father that he was willing to receive his direction and guidance even with something as important as the choice of a wife—and this at 40 years of age! And when Abraham died, it seems, Isaac’s inheritance was unchallenged by his brothers.

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Parasha Vayera (And He Appeared): Receiving God’s Promise

October 17, 2013 Vayera begins with Abraham sitting at the entrance of his tent. According to Rashi, an 11th century Torah and Talmud (oral law) commentator, Abraham was convalescing. It was only three days after he was circumcised in obedience to God as a sign of the covenant when he saw three strangers. Even though Abraham did not know who these strangers were, he welcomed them and gave them his best! Amazingly, the strangers that Abraham welcomed were not men, but angels.

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Parasha Lech Lecha (Go Forth): Finding Strength for the Journey

October 11, 2013 Abram goes to Egypt because of a severe famine in the land. Sarai (Sarah) is so beautiful, however, that Abram decides to take precautions. He presents her as his sister in an effort to save his life from Egyptians who might kill him just to have her.

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Noach: The Faith of Noah

October 4, 2013 This week’s Torah portion specifically identifies that by the time of Noah, the earth was filled with violence (hamas). God decided to cleanse the world from that hamas by sending a Great Flood upon the earth that would destroy every living thing He had created. “So God said to Noah, 'I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence [hamas] because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.'” (Genesis 6:13)

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Bereisheet: Bringing Light to the Darkness

September 30, 2013 In this Parasha, God speaks and creation comes into existence. Think of it! God fashioned the world with words. If you consider the physical impossibility of something being made out of nothing, then you understand that the Word of God is a powerful, creative force that is so complete it is capable of bringing forth life.

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Parasha Ha’azinu (Listen!): The Secret of the Rock of Israel

September 6, 2013 This week’s Shabbat occurs during a very special 10-day period between Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) called Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe) and Aseret Y'may Teshuvah (Ten Days of Repentance). The Days of Awe is traditionally the period to get right with God and our fellow man through repentance and asking forgiveness. This Shabbat is called Shabbat Shuvah or Sabbath of Return since the prophetic portion of the reading (Haftarah) begins with the exhortation “Shuvah Yisrael—Return O Israel.”

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Parasha Nitzavim-Vayelech: Finding the Courage to Enter the Promised Land

August 30, 2013 This week's reading, Parasha Nitzavim-Vayelech, is a double portion of Torah. In the Nitzavim portion of the Torah reading, the Jewish People stand before God about to enter into the covenant, a solemn oath with Him. Such a momentous occasion! This covenant promised that God would establish Israel as His own people and that He would be their God.

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Parasha Ki Tavo (When You Enter): Joy and the Book of Life

August 23, 2013 In Parasha Ki Tavo (When You Enter), God instructs Israel to bring the first-ripened fruits (bikkurim) to the Temple in Jerusalem once the Israelites have finally entered the Land He promised to them. In giving this firstfruits offering, which included wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates, the Israelites were offering thanksgiving to God for all the amazing things He had done for them.

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Parasha Ki Tetze (When You Go Out): Love, Discipline, and the Good Shepherd

August 16, 2013 For instance, if an Israelite soldier saw a beautiful woman among those taken captive during battle, and desired her for a wife, he was first required to allow her to grieve for a full month the bitterness of her captivity.

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Parasha Shoftim (Judges): The Hebrew Link Between Justice and Righteousness

August 9, 2013 The very first word of the Parasha reading is shoftim (judges), which is derived from the word shafat (to judge or to govern). In Hebrew, justice (tzedek) is closely tied to the idea of righteousness and holiness. In fact, the words righteous (tzadik) and charity (tzedakah) are related to justice (tzedek). It only follows, then, that God, who is holy and righteous, is also just.

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