Noah: A Flood of Revelation

(4-5 Minute Read) Genesis 6:9 – 11:31 The Torah parasha, or portion, of Noah, recounts the story of the famous Biblical character of the same name.  The Most High was grieved at the wickedness of humanity; but Noah, being “righteous,…

Bereishit: Choosing Life from the Beginning

(4-5 Minute Read) Genesis 1:1 – 6:8 The Torah begins with the Hebrew phrase Bereishit — “In the beginning” the Almighty created the heavens and the earth.  The first chapter of the Torah elaborates on this creation process, describing the…

Vayakhel-Pekudei: The Dynamic of Details

(3 – 4 Minute Read) Exodus 35:1 – 40:38 The combined Torah portion of Vayakhel-Pekudei begins as Moses gathered the congregation of Israel and told them what the Eternal One commanded them.  On six days work could be done, but…

Yitro: Efficient Leadership and Boundaries

(3-4 Minute Read) Exodus 18:1 – 20:23 Yitro was the priest of Midian and the father-in-law of Moses who lent his name to this Torah parasha, or portion.  Yitro heard of all that the Almighty had done for Moses and…

Beshalach: Splitting a Sea and Moving Forward

(5-6 Minute Read) Exodus 13:17 – 17:16 When Pharaoh let the Israelites go, the Most High did not lead them out by the closer way of the Philistines to avoid war.  Instead,  he led them out by the wilderness of…

Bo: The Relevance of our Redemption

4-5 Minute Read Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 Bo begins as the Almighty told Moses again to go to Pharaoh.  The Most High had hardened the heart of Pharaoh and his courtiers to display His power and wonders, and that it…

Va’era: Control of the Heart

(4-5 Minute Read) Exodus 6:2 – 9:35   As the Torah parashah, or portion, of Va’Era begins, the Most High spoke to Moses, reiterating that He had appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and established a covenant with them.  The Almighty…

Shemot: Let My People Go

Exodus 1:1 – 6:1 (3-4 Minute Read) Shemot begins both the Torah parasha, or portion, and Biblical book of the same name.  The twelve sons of Israel (i.e. Jacob) came to Egypt with their families.  The Israelites were fertile and…

Metzora: The “Prophecy” of Tzaraat

Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33 (3 – 4 Minute Read) Metzora continues the discussion by the Most High regarding the laws and rules relating to a person afflicted with tzaraat, or “Biblical leprosy.”  The process of purification and the affiliated offerings…

Tazria-Metzorah: Biblical Quarantine and the Coronavirus

(3 – 4 Minute Read) Leviticus 12:1 – 15:33 The Torah parasha, or portion, of Tazria-Metzora primarily discusses the malady, quarantine, and remedy of tzaraat.  Tzaraat is commonly translated as “leprosy” in English. However, this is a misnomer, as tzaraat…