Balak B’midbar (Numbers) 22:2-25:9
1.How would you describe Balaam? Did he know G-d? Was He a prophet? Balaam was a well-known seer. Interestingly, in Numbers 22:6 when Balak sends for Balaam he uses the same words we read in Genesis 12:3 when G-d blesses Abraham. Balaam, by what we read, knew G-d on some level. He used the holy […]
Chukat (Regulations) Numbers/B’midbar 19:1-22:1
Chukat (Regulations) Numbers/B’midbar 19:1-22:1 1.There have been many opinions on why G-d told Moses he would not enter the Promised Land. Why do you think G-d did not allow him to go? Also, in Numbers 20:8 G-d used the word Edah (assembly) when he talked about the children of Israel and Moses in Numbers 20:10 used the […]
Korach B’midbar/Numbers 16:1-18:32
1.What verses in this Torah portion shows us that Moses began taking the criticism of these men personally? First, in Numbers 16:15 he defended himself to G-d after being insulted by Datan and Aviram. Second, he asks G-d miraculously and decisively to show that he – Moses – is G-d’s chosen leader. Moses allowed himself […]
Shelach L’Kha (Send on Your Behalf) B’midbar/Numbers 13:1-15:41
Shelach L’Kha (Send on Your Behalf) B’midbar/Numbers 13:1-15:41 1.In our Haftorah portion we read in Joshua 2:1-24 about the spies hiding in the house of Rahab the harlot. Why do you think G-d chose a harlot to be a part of this story. God could have made the spies invisible or caused the people to […]
B’midbar (In the desert) B’midbar/Num. 1:1-4:20
Torah Portion: B’midbar (In the desert) B’midbar/Numbers 1:1-4:20 1.What is the connection between the HafTorah found in Hosea 2:1-22 and the Torah portion, Deut 1:1-4:20? Both include numbers. In B’Midbar, a census was taken. Hosea was a prophet to the northern kingdom. In these verses, Hosea 2:1-20, Hosea looks ahead in time to the Messianic age […]
B’chukkotai (By My Statutes) Lev./Vayikra 26:3-27:34
B’chukkotai (By My Statutes) Leviticus/Vayikra 26:3-27:34 1.Replacement theology is based on the premise that G-d rejected Israel because they rejected Him. His old chosen people were the physical descendants of Abraham. His new chosen people are the spiritual descendants of Abraham, in other words, not Jews but Christians. Do you find any verses in this Torah portion or other scripture […]
Behar (On the Mountain) Leviticus 25:1-26:2
1.In our Torah Portion, Leviticus 25:1-26:2 G-d was giving instructions for the Sabbatical year/ Sh’mitah year and the Yovel or Jubilee year. The children of Israel were still at Mount Sinai with about 38 more years to wander. Only two adults would actually get to the Promised Land. Why was G-d giving agricultural instructions to the […]
Torah Portion: Emor (Speak) Lev./Vayikra 21-24 Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 44:15-31
Torah Portion: Emor (Speak) (Leviticus) Vayikra 21-24 Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 44:15-31 1.In the Haftorah this week, Ezekiel 44:15-31 we read the words of Ezekiel. Who was he? When were these verses written and where was he when he wrote this? Ezekiel was a priest who was among the Jewish captives carried away to Babylon by King […]
Kedoshim (Holy People) (Leviticus) Vayikra 19-20
Kedoshim (Holy People) (Leviticus) Vayikra 19-20 In this Torah portion we are struck by the fact that mere mortals can be Holy because in Leviticus 19:1-2 it says, “Be holy because I, the L-rd your G-d, am holy. “ A further exploration of the word Holy or Kadosh would be helpful. While it is true that the word Kadosh implies […]
Acharei Mot Leviticus 16-18:30 HafTorah: Ezekiel 22:1-19
Torah Portion: Acharei Mot Leviticus 16-18:30 HafTorah: Ezekiel 22:1-19 1.The service of Yom Kippur was unique in the sin and guilt offerings in Israel. Normally confession was made over the animal being sacrificed. But here confession was made over the one sent away not the one sacrificed. So the question arises, “Why was the offering divided between […]