Metzora (Leper) Vayikra/Leviticus 14:1-15:33
D’Varim (Words) (Deut.) 1:1-3:22
: D’Varim (Words) (Deut.) 1:1-3:22
Haftorah Readings: Isaiah (Yesh’yahu) 1:1-27
Tonight we begin the final book of Torah. In Hebrew this book is named “D’Varim.” In English this word is “Words.” This word is found in the first verse of the first chapter. Here we read, “These are the words which Moshe spoke to all Israel.” This book consists mainly of a teaching given by Moshe over a month’s time on the East bank of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho. It is also mainly written with Moshe speaking in the first person.
B’shallach (And It Came to Pass) Exodus (Sh’mot) 13:17-17:16
Torah Portion: B’shallach (And It Came to Pass) Exodus (Sh’mot) 13:17-17:16
Haftorah Reading: Judges 4:4-5:31
This Torah portion begins with the actual Exodus from Egypt that will not end until we get through the last book of Torah. It begins with verse 13:17 where we read that G-d took them the long way around rather than the more direct route by way of the Philistines. The question arises why did He choose the long way rather than a direct path? What do you think? Keep in mind also that before this portion ends we read of the people fighting and winning a battle with the Amalekites. So, there must be a deeper reason other than the fear of war.
One reason may be hinted at in the Hebrew word for Egypt. This word is Mitzryim. In Hebrew it means limits or restrictions. Remember these people lived for 400 years in a place that had strict limits on their lives. You can take a slave out of Egypt but it takes time to take slavery out of the slave. I think this time in the wilderness was to give them time to learn new boundaries for their lives, more G-dly boundaries. For the first time they had to make choices on their own and deal with the results of those choices.
Torah Portion: B’Shallach (And He sent) Exodus(Sh’mot) 13:17-17:16
Torah Portion: B’Shallach (And He sent) Exodus(Sh’mot) 13:17-17:16
Haftorah Reading: Judges 4:4-5:31
Today we study the Torah portion covering the physical beginning of the Exodus along with the complaining of the people over having no water and no food. We also read of the final defeat of Pharaoh’s army followed by the beautiful “Song of the Sea” by Moshe and Miriam.
B’Shallach (He Sent) Sh’mot (Exodus) 13-17
Torah Portion B’Shallach (He Sent) Sh’mot (Exodus) 13-17
Haftorah Reading Judges 4:4-5:31
This week’s Torah portion begins with Pharaoh sending out the people of Israel and their beginning of the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. During this trek we also see their journey from slavery to freedom. In this portion we begin to see that both of these journeys will be a process, not an immediate transition.
Emor (Speak) Vayikra (Lev) 21-24
Emor or Speak, found in Va’Ikrah(Lev.) 21-24.
In this Torah portion we read in chapter 23 the listing and explanation of G-d’s calendar for each year. In it we read of all the appointed times when G-d expects to meet His people. We read about the three appointed times when all males are required to appear before the L-rd in Jerusalem. These three appointed times are Passover, Shavuot(Pentecost) and Sukkoth(Tabernacles). In both Passover and Shavuot we can relate great miracles performed by G-d for the people. In Passover we see the redemption of the people by the splitting of the Reed Sea. In Shavuot we read of an entire nation seeing and hearing the words of G-d as He comes down on the mountain. Yet for Sukkoth we are hard pressed to identify a miracle that relates specifically to this appointed time.