In Exodus 21, Adonai gave Israel laws regarding the humane treatment of Hebrew slaves. Now, Hebrew slavery consisted of two types: one was if you committed a crime against another and could not pay restitution, in which case you would be sold as a slave. The other type was if you owed money and were unable to repay it, you
This week’s Parasha is Vayetze and covers Genesis 28:10 – 32:3. Jacob has had to flee his home after deceiving his father into giving him the blessing intended for Esau and, at his parents’ instructions, journeys to his uncle, Laban. In chapter 28, Jacob has traveled a full day’s distance, and arrives at a certain place where he rests for
This week’s parasha is Vayera, which is translated “And He Appeared”. It covers Genesis chapters 18 through 22. In this week’s Torah portion, we find Abraham sitting at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. Suddenly, he sees three “men”. As they began to speak to him, it became clear to Abraham that these were no
This week’s Parasha is Ki Teitzei, translated: “When You Go Out”. It covers Deuteronomy 21-25:19. In these chapters, we find 72 of the Torah’s 613 commandments. Chapter 21 includes the command that when you went to war against your enemy, and the Lord delivered them into your hands; if you saw a beautiful woman, and were attracted to her, you
In last week’s Parasha, Rabbi Glenn instructed us on the prophet Balaam and his suggestion on how King Balak could harm the Jewish nation. Balaam’s idea was for the Midianite women to have relations with the Israeli men and introduce them to Baal worship. This would prove successful in that many men of the different tribes of Israel took Midianite
This week’s Parasha is Behar & B’chukotai, a double Parasha covering Chapters 25-27, and brings us to the conclusion of the book of Leviticus. In Chapter 25 the Sabbatical year is discussed as well as the year of Jubilee. In Chapter 26 Adonai outlines the blessings for obedience and punishments for disobedience. This is where we will spend our time this
This week’s Parasha is called Vayikra, which means “and he called”. It Covers Leviticus chapter 1 through chapter 6:7. In these chapters, we will be covering five sacrifices that El Gabor, Mighty God, required of the Jewish people. The first sacrifice is the burnt offering, followed by a grain offering, peace offering, sin offering, and a guilt offering. We will
The Parasha for this week covers Exodus chapter 13:7 – 17:16. Last week we left off with the plague of death and Elohim’s gift of Passover. As we look to this week, Pharaoh has decided to let the Jewish people leave Egypt. El Gabor, Mighty God, does not send the Jews the shortest way out of town, he has the
This week’s Parasha starts out with God saying these words: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God and had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” This was the time before Moses had given the law, so Noah does not have the standard of what would be righteous on his own accord. So, when God
This week’s Parasha is Eikev, which means “on the heel of.” In this Parasha Moses continues his final speeches to the Israelis before they enter the Promised Land. These instructions are more about obeying their God and are a warning. I think a good theme for this is the following: “If you have real faith, you will trust Me; and
This week’s Parasha is called Balak, which means devastator, and covers Numbers 22:2 – 25:9. In last week’s Parasha, the Israelis decisively defeat the Amorites because the Amorites did not want them passing through their land. This week we find the Israelis camped near the border of Moab. King Balak saw how the Israeli army defeated the Amorites. Being afraid,
The first of our parashas this Shabbat is Tetzaveh, meaning, ‘Give the command,’ and covers Exodus 27:20- 30:10. At the end of chapter 27, the oil is described for the Golden Lamp or menorah that sits in the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. Pure olive oil was to be used in this lamp, and it was to burn day and night. In
This week’s Torah portion is Va’era, which means “and I appeared” and covers Exodus 6:2-9:35. In last week’s parasha, Moses and Aaron were sent to see Pharaoh and request him to allow them to celebrate a feast for three days in the wilderness. Pharaoh does not allow this to happen, and he increases the Israelis’ burden by forcing them to
This week’s Parasha is Vayetze and covers Genesis 28:10 – 32:3. Jacob has had to flee home after deceiving his father into giving him the blessing intended for Esau and, at his parents’ instructions, journeys to his uncle, Laban. In chapter 28, Jacob has traveled a full day’s distance, and arrives at a certain place where he rests for the
This morning’s parasha is called Ha’azinu and means “Give ear”. It covers Deuteronomy chapter 32. The Song of Moses represents the last time that Moses will speak to the Israelis before he dies on Mount Nebo. This song was meant to be taught to every Israeli as a reminder of the past, and a warning for the present and the
Today’s parasha is titled “Re eh”, which means “to see”. This Torah portion, from Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17, describes a blessing and a curse from God. In chapter 11:26 – 28, God says, “see, I am setting before you a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord and the curse, if you do
Today’s Parasha is called Chukat (translated: Decrees or Ordinances) and covers Numbers 19:1-22:1. This morning we will concentrate on Chapter 20 and 21 In chapter 20, the death of Miriam takes place. After 37 years of wandering, the Jewish people are camped at Kadesh. Miriam’s burial is performed quickly, without much said about it. And now, once again, water has
This week’s Parasha is called Kedoshim and covers Leviticus 19:1-20:27. Chapter 19 reviews some of the Ten Commandments and reminds us that our lives are to be characterized by holiness. In fact, God states clearly, “You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy”. God speaks as the Holy One, HaKadosh. We think of the word ‘holy’
This week’s Parasha is Ki Tisa, which means “when you take up”. It covers Exodus 30:11-34:35. Today we will concentrate on the golden calf. Israel has come through the Red Sea toward Mt. Sinai. Moses goes up the mountain for 40 days. God gives him the Law and carves out the Ten Commandments. During Moses’ absence, the Israelis become restless.
This week’s Parasha is titled Bo, which means “Go”. It starts in Exodus 10 where the Lord tells Moses that He has further hardened Pharaoh’s already hard heart. I believe this is the first time in this series of plagues that Adonai will make sure Pharaoh’s heart is hardened through plagues eight, nine, and ten. Adonai sends Moses and Aaron
This week’s parasha is Vayigash, which means “and he drew near” and covers Genesis 44:18-47:27. Last week’s parasha told us of Joseph’s imprisonment, his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams, his rise to second-in-command over Egypt, and the seven years of famine to come. Joseph’s brothers had come to Egypt, searching for food to buy, and did not recognize Joseph, though he
This week’s Parasha is Ki Tavo, which means “when you come in” and covers Deuteronomy 26:1 through 29:9. In chapter 26 Moses is giving El Elyon, God most High’s command for the offerings of first fruits and tithes to be carried out once Israel crosses the Jordan River and enters the Promised Land. All that they ever had, or will
This week’s parasha is Shelach L’cha, which means, “send for yourself” or “send for our own sake,” and which covers Numbers 13:1-15:41. In chapter 13 the Lord speaks to Moses, instructing him to send twelve men, one chief from each tribe, to spy out the land of Canaan which He was giving to the people of Israel. Now if this
This week’s Parasha is Terumah, which means contribution or offering, and covers Exodus 25-27:19. In last week's Torah portion the Israelis agreed to obey the laws of the covenant that Moses brought down from El Elyon, the God Most High. In this week’s Parasha, Moses is instructed by God to take a contribution from every man whose heart moves him.
This week’s parasha is Vayishlach, which translates to “and he sent”, and covers Genesis 32:4–36:43. Our parasha begins with Jacob sending messengers to his brother Esau in the land of Edom, with hopes of reconciling with him before they come together and meet. The messengers arrive to meet with Esau and are instructed to let him know that Jacob considers