D’Varim (Deut.) 1:1-3:22

Torah Portion: D’Varim(Deut.) 1:1-3:22

Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 1:1-27

Today we begin the final book of Torah, Deuteronomy. The Hebrew name for this book is D’Varim. D’Varim means words and also things. As we go through this final book keep this double meaning in mind. 

Also tonight as the Shabbat ends the solemn day of Tishah B’av begins.  This day commemorates the destruction of both the First Temple and Second Temple. Both were destroyed on the same day. The first temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The Second Temple, the one used by Yeshua and His disciples, was destroyed in 70 CE by the Romans.

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.

Emor (Say) Lev 21-24

Torah Portion: Emor, Say,Vayikra Lev. 21:1-24:23

HafTorah: Ezekiel 44:15-31

This week we read first about the commandments to the priests, the high priests and their service in the Mishkan or Temple. We see again that they were held to a higher level of holiness than the average person. This should cause us again to think of ourselves as priests. As the New Testament says in I Peter 1:16, “Be holy for I am holy.” This brings me to my last question I sent out this week. In the verses 22:32 the Torah tells us to not profane the name of G-d, but He should be sanctified in our midst. In the L-rd’s prayer in Matt. 6:9 we read , “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name.” What does this phrase hallowed be Your Name mean to us and what do we have to do with it?