The parsha begins with Abraham’s incredible display of chesed (kindness) to three angels who appear as men. This, despite extreme discomfort from his recent bris milah (circumcision). The angels declare that Sarah will give...

This first portion of the Torah begins with G-d’s creation of the world in six days and His ‘resting’ on the seventh…

Nitzavim begins with Moses gathering every member of the Jewish people for the final time. He initiates them into a Covenant with G-d as the Almighty’s ‘Chosen People’. This Covenant applied not only to...

Devarim — Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:11 This week we begin the fifth and final book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. This book is also called Mishna Torah, “Repetition of the Torah” – thus the Greek...

Parshas: Va’eschanan Moses continues his final speech to the Children of Israel. He tells them how he entreated G-d to allow him to enter the land of Israel, but his request was denied. Moses...

Parshas: Matos — Masei In the first of this week’s two action-packed portions, Moses teaches the rules and restrictions governing oaths and vows. Promises are serious business. When we say that we plan to...

Parshas Pinchas In last week’s Torah portion we found the Jewish hero Pinchas saving the day for the Jewish people by publicly executing the Jewish tribal head, Zimri, and his Midianite girlfriend, Kazbi. Those...

Parshas Chukas This week’s action-packed portion begins with the paradox of the Red Heifer, a mitzvah we are asked to perform though unable to understand its purpose and reason.  The narrative jumps to the...