Weekly Torah Lesson

Parasha:  Nitzavim – ‘you are standing firm’Devarim 29:10 – 30:20                                                             After four hundred and seventy years Israel is described as “Nitzavim – Standing Firm”. Moshe has lived long enough to see Israel living in a special spiritual condition.  The magician, B’laam, observed this when he was trying to curse Israel: 21  He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. Avinu his Elohim is with him, And the … [Read more...] about The Covenant and The Oath

Shabbat Nachamu 6 of 7Parasha:  Ki Tavo – when you come inTorah:  Devarim 26:1 – 29:9 Did you ever think about being commanded to “be happy”? The Scriptures teach us  more than one hundred and eighty times that someone will “rejoice”.  Not only are we commanded to perform certain tasks, we are also commanded to be happy with doing them!  Here are a couple of examples found in this week’s Torah portion: So you shall rejoice in every good thing which Avinu Elohekah has given to you and your … [Read more...] about Thou Shalt Rejoice

74 of the 613 mitzvot are found in this week’s parsha Parasha:  Ki tetze  when you go forthTorah:  Devarim 21:10 – 25:19 This week’s Parsha devotes two verses to describe how we are to treat the dead body of someone who has been executed for committing a capital crime.   22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and you hang him on a tree: 23  His body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall in any wise bury him that day; (for he … [Read more...] about The Cursed Corpse

Shabbat Nachamu four of seven Parasha:  Shoftim – JudgesTorah:  Devarim 16:18 – 21:9 Four hundred and eighty years after Torah was given, the Temple was built in Yerushalem and the process of centralizing the worship  and government began. Moshe had described part of the centralization process in this week’s lesson.  Here is what he commanded:  6  At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall … [Read more...] about The Seat of Moshe

Shabbat Nachamu 3 of 7 Parasha:  Re eh  (to see, Behold)Torah:  Devarim 11:26 – 16:17 When Moshe built the Mishkan, The Tent of Meeting, it was supposed to be the “ground zero” for every religious activity that took place in the camp. It seems that some of the “wise guys” that were living in the camp had a better idea on how to conduct religious activities. Here is what Moshe has to teach us: 8  You shall not at all do as we are doing here today — every man doing whatever is right in … [Read more...] about A Better Idea

Parasha:  Ekev  (as a result)Torah: Devarim 7:12-11:25 It is inevitable that as we proceed through life’s journey, we encounter situations that will test our faith.  As we go through the process of doubting, decision making and fearing our outcomes, we are encouraged to “remember the past” faith trials“ that we have experienced and brought positive outcomes into our lives.   Israel is camped on the east side of the Jordan river waiting for the word from Avinu to begin dispossessing the … [Read more...] about Remember your past!