The parsha (weekly Torah portion) we we are reading this week is called R’ay, which is the command form of the verb to see. The parsha begins with Moshe (Moses) commanding the people to see that he is putting before them a blessing and a curse, depending on if they follow in haShem’s (god) way or not. We then read where they are supposed to do this ritual of blessing and curse, and of another warning to follow the laws, … Continue reading
The parsha (weekly Torah portion) we read this shabbat is called Aykev which can mean, “Heel,” or, “To follow,” as in, “And it will follow you listening to these mishpatim (judgements)…” which is how the parsha starts. So, what will happen if we listen? Well, the parsha goes on to say, not just listen, but also observe and do them. And, if we do these things, then haShem (god) will guard for you, the brit (covenant), and the kindness that … Continue reading
In this week’s parsha (Torah portion), we have plenty of excitement and thrills and chills. Let’s check it out. The parsha is named after the first word, vaetchanan, which means, “And I pleaded or beseeched,” because the parsha continues Moshe’s (Moses) history lesson to the nation by telling them how he beseeched haShem (god) to let him come into the land. HaShem denies the request and instead tells Moshe to climb a mountain and see the land. God also tells … Continue reading
This shabbat we will read the fifth book of the Torah. It is called D’varim (Deuteronomy) which can either mean, “Things,” or “Speakings.” Our parsha (weekly Torah portion), is also called D’varim and begins by stating that, “These are the things/speakings that Moshe (Moses) spoke to all of Yisrael at the crossing of the Yardayn (Jordan) …” So, what did he say? We don’t know yet, because the Torah goes on describing the location and telling us that we are … Continue reading
This past Tuesday was the 17th of the Jewish month called Tammuz and was a fast day. It was the day the walls of Jerusalem were breached. It begins a mourning period that culminates three weeks later on the 9th of the month of Av, the day that Jerusalem actually fell. A lot more happened on these two days, and perhaps those events will be fuel for another email. I hope all of you that fasted had an easy and … Continue reading
Hello and welcome to the latest installment of my Torah thoughts. This week’s parsha (Torah portion) is called Balak who is the current king of Moab. Our parsha begins with Balak seeing all that Yisrael had done to the Emorite (which comes from the root, “To say”) and Moab becomes afraid. So, Balak sends messengers to Bil’am asking him to bore into Yisrael so Balak can drive them from the land. He calls for Bil’am because what Bil’am blesses is … Continue reading
The time has come for another dose of Torah. This week’s parsha (weekly Torah portion) finds our intrepid heroes nearing the end of their journey to that land flowing with milk and honey. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, however. The parsha is called Chukat which means, “Law of,” as in: This is the law of the Torah (teachings) that haShem (god) commanded Moshe (Moses) and Aharon to say to the children of Yisrael. The law is everything relating to … Continue reading
Hello everybody and welcome back to the wilderness, Today we feature chills and thrills from this week’s parsha (Torah portion) named after our featured “villain,” Korach. Let’s check in with our reporters and get a summary of what took place. The parsha begins with Korach, from the tribe of Levi, and Datan and Aviram, from the tribe of Reuvan getting together 250 leaders of the community for a chat with Moshe (Moses) and Aharon where they challenge them by saying, … Continue reading
This week’s parsha (Torah portion) is a strange one. Moshe (Moses) sends 12 men into the land to spy on it and its inhabitants. They come out and their report causes a national hysteria which leads to a 40 year sojourn in the desert until all the men die off. The Torah then goes into a discussion about sacrifices, and we finish with a man getting stoned to death for breaking shabbat and a law regarding the wearing of tzitzit … Continue reading
This week we get to re-visit a very strange parsha (weekly Torah portion). It is called B’ha’alotcha which means, “When you raise up,” and is referring to the candles of the menorah. This will make more sense if we begin at the beginning of the parsha, which starts with… you guessed it… haShem (god) speaking to Moshe (Moses). This time he is to tell Aharon that when he raises up the candles, towards the face of the menorah (candelabra) the … Continue reading