We are about to enter Rosh haShanah. Before we get too caught up in it, I want to draw attention to our small, but hugely important parsha (weekly Torah portion). It is called HaAzinu, whose root is the word, “Ear,” and means to give ear or cause to listen. It also happens to be the first word of our pasha, and also the first word to the song that haShem (god) told Moshe (Moses) to teach the people. If you … Continue reading
This shabbat is the final double parsha (weekly Torah portion) performance of the year. The names of the two parshas are Nitzavim and Vayelech. Nitzavim is the present tense verb for more than one person standing. Vayelech means, “And he went.” Now, the name of the parsha is the name of the energy or feel of the week. When we have a double parsha, then that feel includes the names of both parshas. Hence, the energy or feel of the … Continue reading
Only a few more weeks remain before we finish this round of Torah, and the parsha (weekly Torah portion) we are reading this shabbat is intense to say the least. It is called Key tavoh, which means, “When you will come,” or, “Because you will come.” It starts off by telling us about the ritual we are to do with the first, “Fruits of the ground.” It consists of putting these fruits into a basket and bringing them to the … Continue reading
We are almost to the end of the five books of Moshe (Moses). This week’s parsha (Torah portion), the one we read this shabbat, is called Key Taytzay which means: When you will go out. Out to where? In this case, our parsha is telling us about going out to war. Our parsha begins by talking about what to do when you fight your enemies and capture women whom you wish to marry. A strange way to start a parsha, … Continue reading