(3-4 Minute Read) Deuteronomy 1:1-3:21 The Book of Devarim, or Deuteronomy, begins with the Torah portion of the same name. In Deuteronomy, near the end of his life Moses addressed the early Jewish nation on the other side of the…
(2-3 Minute Read) Numbers 30:2-36:13 The combined Torah portions, or parshiot, of Mattot and Massei first discuss the technical guidelines for the process of making and annulling vows. The Almighty commanded Moses to wage war against the Midianites in response…
(3-4 Minute Read) Numbers 25:10-30:1 This Torah portion begins with the commentary of the Holy One, Blessed Be He, on the actions of Pinchas (Phinehas). The Eternal One praised Pinchas’ passionate execution of justice that abruptly ended the Israelite idolatry…
(3-4 Minute Read) Numbers 22:2-25:9 In the Torah portion of Balak, the Moabite king of the same name sent delegates to a sorcerer and “mercenary prophet” of sorts named Balaam. The dignitaries, who also came from other nearby nations, such…
(3-4 Minute Read) Numbers 19:1 – 22:1 In the Torah portion of Chukkat, the text first begins with the Almighty dictating the guidelines for the red heifer allowing for all future forms of ritual purification. Miriam died, and the community…
(4-5 Minute Read) Numbers 16:1-18:32 Korach and his band of mutinous Levites and other rebels, including Datan and Aviram, define the parasha, or Torah portion, of the same name. Korach and his supporters approached Moses and Aaron, accusing them of…
(3-4 Minute Read) Numbers 13:1-15:41 Shelakh lekha is a Hebrew phrase meaning “Send for yourself,” and is the key theme of the parasha, or Torah portion, of the same name. The parasha begins with the Holy One, Blessed Be He,…
(2-3 Minute Read) Numbers 8:1-12:14 Topically, the Torah parasha, or portion, of Behaalotekha contains a vast variety of different themes and elements. We first read about the construction of each menorah lampstand for the Mishkan, or Tabernacle. Following that, additional…
(2-3 Minute Read) Numbers 4:21-7:89 In the Torah portion, or parasha, of Naso, the topic of holiness and purity of the Jewish people is continued. However, the theme takes on several different directions. After finishing the designation of various tasks…
(3-4 Minute Read) In addition to the Torah readings, Megilat Rut, or the Scroll of Ruth, is read during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks. Megillat Rut is a short work that describes events taking place during…
(3 – 4 Minute Read) Numbers 1:1-4:20 The fourth book of the Torah, B’Midbar, or Numbers, opens with the parasha, or portion, of the same name. B’Midbar begins with a detailed census of the Jewish people in the wilderness of…
(4 – 5 Minute Read) Leviticus 25:1-27:34 In the combined Torah parshiot, or portions, of Behar and Bechukkotai, the Holy One, Blessed Be He, first outlines the process of the sabbatical and jubilee years. G-d also details the rules for…
