leader – Road to Zion

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

Haftorah Reading: Joshua 2:1-24

Today, we again have a very important Torah portion to look at. It has much to teach us, some points will take some digging on our part to discover answers. Some will require a look at the words in Hebrew and other verses will appear to be in conflict by the wording.

For example, in Numbers 13:1-2 we read, “The L-rd said to Moshe, send some men to explore the land of Canaan.” Then in Deut. 1:22 we read that the people came to Moshe and asked him to send men to explore the land. This leaves us with a question. Who told Moshe to send the men into the land? In our portion today in Numbers 13, we can bring clarity by looking at the wording in Hebrew. Numbers 13:2 can be translated as, “Send for yourself,” or do what seems right in your own eyes. G-d was saying to Moshe, after the visit of the people, you make this decision as the leader of the people. This gives us more harmony between the two accounts. I bring this out to show us there is harmony in G-d’s word. But sometimes it takes a little effort or digging to find answers.

Vayak’hel (And He Assembled) Exodus (Sh’mot) 35:1-38:20 and P’Kudei (Accounts) Exodus (Sh’mot) 38:21-40:38

Torah Portion: Vayak’hel (And He Assembled) Exodus (Sh’mot) 35:1-38:20 and P’Kudei (Accounts) Exodus (Sh’mot) 38:21-40:38

Haftorah Reading: I Kings 7:13-26, 7:40-8:21

Today we finish the book of Exodus by reading the last two portions of the book. Both of these books have a great deal to say to us in our life today as G-d’s people. These Torah portions are especially important to us in light of the world events that either has or will affect us all in one way or the other.

I would like to start with my thoughts on the first section of Vayak’hel. This word, Vayak’hel, can mean either “gather” or “assemble.” Interestingly we also saw this same word in our section last week. In Exodus/Sh’mot 32:1 we read where the people assembled around Aaron and demanded he make them gods to go before them since Moshe was absent. Today, in our opening verse of Vayak’hel, we read this word. Here we read where Moshe assembled the people to contribute to and take part in the construction of the building of the Mishkan or Tabernacle.

V’zot HaBrachah (And This is the blessing) D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 33-34

Haftorah Reading Joshua 1:1-18

Usually this Torah section is read on Simchat HaTorah. This holiday occurs Tuesday evening, October 22^nd at the end of Sukkot. However, rather than miss these important final words of Moshe I would like us to take the time to study this passage. In my question of the week I asked you what you saw as the characteristics of a servant of G-d. This question was based on verse 34:5 of Deut. In this verse Moshe was called a servant of the L-rd.

Shoftim (Judges) D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 16:18-21:9

Torah Portion: Shoftim (Judges) D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 16:18-21:9

Haftorah Reading Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 51:12-53:12

This Torah portion, like most, contains a multitude of subjects that can occupy us for hours but we will limit ourselves to a few that I think will challenge us spiritually. To do this I want to begin with my three questions I sent you this week.

Bo (Come) Exodus 10-13

Torah Portion: Bo (Come) Exodus 10:1-13:16

HafTorah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

Tonight we look at the Torah section Bo, meaning come. It covers the last three plagues brought on Egypt and the setting up of the holiday of Pesach. To begin with I would like to share with you something I read this week that I feel is very important to each of us. What determines the greatness of a people, family or nation? I would like us to consider this hypothetical situation. Suppose you are the head of a group of people, like your family or your nation. You call them together as they are about to go free after a long time as slaves. What do you say? What do you speak to them about, freedom, or the vision before them or do you warn them of the dangers ahead?