Vayera (And He Appeared) B’resheet/Genesis 18:1-22:24
: Vayera (And He Appeared) B’resheet/Genesis 18:1-22:24
Haftorah Readings: II Kings 4:1-37
This week we read a Torah portion that presents us with many situations that bear looking at in depth. Genesis 22:1-19 tells us about G-d coming to Avraham and telling him to take his only son Isaac and sacrifice him on Mt. Moriah. Let’s look at this and see what we can learn from it. I must admit these verses have always been difficult for me to grasp. Remember, this was the son of Promise. He was the son of Avraham and Sarah that G-d had promised and was the product of a miracle birth. Avraham was 99 years old and Sarah was long passed child bearing years. Yet G-d intervened and brought this boy into their lives. And now He commanded Avraham to sacrifice him to G-d.
Lekh L’kha (Get Yourself Out) B’resheet/Genesis 12:1-17:27
: Lekh L’kha (Get Yourself Out) B’resheet/Genesis 12:1-17:27
Haftorah Readings: Isaiah 40:27-41:16
In this Torah portion we are introduced to Avram. As many as 4.1 billion people of different faiths count him as one of their founders. I want us to look at his life in this portion today and try to understand what drove him in his walk with G-d.
Nitzavim (Standing) D’Varim (Deut.) 29:9-30:20, Vayelekh (He Went) D’Varim (Deut.) 31:1-30
: Nitzavim (Standing) D’Varim (Deut.) 29:9-30:20, Vayelekh (He Went) D’Varim (Deut.) 31:1-30
Haftorah Readings: Isaiah (Yesh’yahu) 61:10-63:9; Hosea 14:1-10, Micah 7:18-20, Joel 2:15-27
This week we read a double portion of scripture. Remember, this was Moshe’s last day alive, yet he was still speaking G-d’s word to the people. This will be covered a bit more later. However, it does raise the question, how do we spend our days especially when we are near the end of life? I read a quote this week from a book about Sherlock Holmes. It was, “I draw your attention, Watson, to the curious incident of the dog at night.” “But the dog did nothing at night,” said Watson. “That is the curious incident,” said Holmes. Sometimes to truly understand a book’s point you need to pay attention to not only what it says, but also to what it does not say.
Pinchas B’midbar (Numbers) 25:10-30:1
Torah Portion: Pinchas B’midbar (Numbers) 25:10-30:1
Haftorah Readings: I Kings 18:46-19:21
Today we cover the Torah portion Pinchas. This portion is named for the man who stopped the plague that had already killed 24,000 people. The plague was a result of Israel’s sin. However, I want to begin with the story of the five daughters of Zelophehad and their request they brought to Moshe.
I would like us to look first at verse 27:4. This verse reads, “Give us a possession in the midst of the brothers of our father.” Remember, at this time in Israel’s history any inheritance a man left when he died went to his sons. If he had no sons then it went to his closest male relative. In effect, if he had no sons, his inheritance would be lost and any daughters he might have would have no inheritance.
Vayera (And The L-rd Appeared) B’resheet/Genesis 18:1-22:24
Torah Portion: Vayera (And The L-rd Appeared)-B’resheet/Genesis 18:1-22:24
Haftorah Reading II Kings 4:1-37
Today we read and study a Torah portion filled with many topics that could keep us transfixed for hours. However, we will limit ourselves to only a few that are very important to our spiritual walk.
Pinchas (B’Midbar) Num. 25:10-30:1
Torah Portion Pinchas (B’Midbar) Numbers 25:10-30:1
Haftorah Reading: I Kings 18:46-19:21
Tonight we read a Torah portion that covers a wide range of topics. We read of a new group of leaders who will take the people to the Promised Land. Joshua is to take the position of Moshe when Moshe dies. Pinkas is granted an everlasting priesthood of peace that in some ways carries on the heritage of his grandfather Aaron. Finally we read of the five daughters of Zelophehad who came to Moshe with a request concerning their right to an inheritance after their father’s death. He died with no sons to inherit his land.
Ha’azinu (Hear) D’varim (Deut) 32
Torah Portion: Ha’azinu (Hear) D’varim (Deut) 32
Tonight we read the Torah portion known as Ha’azinu, translated as “Give ear.” This portion is almost entirely composed of the “Song of Moshe.” In this song Moshe speaks of Israel’s falling away from G-d in the years following his death. He called all of Israel together to hear his words. He also commanded them to teach the words to their children and pass this song down through the generations to come. This song is given as witness to the falling away of G-d’s people and the suffering they would undergo because of their wanderings. However, it ends on a note of hope as the Father reminds Israel of who He is and who they are. They are His people and He would provide atonement for them. Deut. 32:43.
Naso (Take) Numbers (B’Midbar) 4-7
Torah Portion: Naso(Take) (Numbers) B’Midbar 4-7
Haftorah Reading: Judges 13:2-25
This Torah portion is the largest section we read during the year totaling 176 verses. In it we read of the census taken of the Levites, the woman suspected of being unfaithful to her husband, the Nazirite Vow, the priestly blessing and the confession of sin.
I emailed a paper to all of you here tonight written by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks entitled, “The Blessing of Love.” This article deals with the priestly blessing. I emailed the article to you to give you time to think about how it might apply spiritually to us in our lives today. I want us to take a few minutes to talk about this paper. The priestly blessing is found in Numbers 6:24-26. This is the blessing said by father’s over their children at the beginning of the Sabbath each week and one of the oldest prayers in scripture. In each line the second word used is the intimate holy name of G-d. In the first part of each line we read of action by G-d, bless, make His Face shine, and turn His face toward. The second part of each verse speaks of the effect of that action, giving us protection, grace and peace. These effects also go deeper as we progress.
B’resheet (In the Beginning) Gen. 1:1-6:8
Torah Portion: B’resheet (In the Beginning) 1:1-6:8
Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 42:5-43:10
Today we begin our journey anew by looking at Genesis, B’resheet, “In the Beginning.” In this Portion we read of G-d creating out of nothing. We read of the first family, the first children and of course of the first sin. We read of a couple who walked with G-d, a couple created in the image of G-d and a couple seduced by their own choice.
Ki Tavo (When You Come) Deut. 26-29
Torah Portion: Ki Tavo (When You Come) D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 26-29
HafTorah: Isaiah 60:1-22
Today we read the Torah portion, “When You Come.” It begins with Moshe speaking of when they come into the Land of Promise, their inheritance. I would like us to begin by looking at this first verse for a moment and see if it might apply to us. I want to look especially at the verbs following inheritance, possess it and live in it.