Children of HaShem, your G-d

(Deuteronomy 14:1)
Av 29, 5776/September 2, 2016

"You are children of HaShem, your G-d ." (Deuteronomy 14:1) We all know that we are the children of Adam, who was created by G-d and in whom G-d placed the breath of life. But now G-d is calling us His children. He is not just our Creator, but we are His sons and daughters. This is certainly an 'upgrade' in our status. A creator can create and move on. A father is present for us. Always.

By Bread Alone?

What does the miracle of manna signify? According to the Torah, the manna teaches that man does not live through material things.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Ekev (עֵקֶב | Consequence)

Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25

Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3

Gospel: John 13:31-15:27

He fed you with manna

(Deuteronomy 8:3)
Av 22, 5776/August 26, 2016

"And He... fed you with manna [and] your clothing did not wear out upon you, nor did your foot swell these forty years." (Deuteronomy 8:3-4) In this week's Torah reading,Eikev, Moshe is describing to the children of Israel G-d's special care for them throughout their forty year desert sojourn. All apparent dangers which came to threaten Israel throughout their journey from Egypt to the promised land were merely measures employed by G-d to edify His people and teach them that He is watching over them. Food from heaven that you don't need to labor for, clothing that never grows threadbare and and a path beneath your feet that never allows your feet to ache or swell no matter the day's passage... this is heaven on earth, literally, a Garden of Eden, where man's needs are entirely the responsibility of G-d !

The Commandment of Loving God

Yeshua demonstrated His love for the Father by living a life of total obedience to Him.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Va'etchanan (ואתחנן | I pleaded)

Torah: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26

Gospel: Luke 22:13-38

A special portion for Shabbat Nachamu is read this Shabbat!

Shabbat Nachamu (שבת נחמו | Sabbath of comforting)

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26

For you are a holy people to HaShem

(Deuteronomy 7:6)
Av 15, 5776/August 19, 2016

This week's Torah reading, Va'etchanan, contains among its many elements, a veritable treasure trove of exquisite superlatives describing Israel's unique and intimate relationship with G-d . Yes, the same G-d who created the world, who exists beyond time and space, who brought on the flood, who chose Avraham, who delivered Israel from Egypt, brought Israel to Sinai, and betrothed Israel with the eternal covenant of Torah, finds special delight in His people. Israel, indeed, are the apple of G-d's eye. With all their flaws and foibles, and there are many, (some of them also enumerated in this week's Torah reading), G-d loves His people Israel.

Expounding the Torah

Did Moses speak in tongues? Tradition says that Moses spoke the words of the book of Deuteronomy in the seventy languages of humanity.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Devarim (דברים | Words)

Torah: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27

Gospel: Mark 14:1-16

A special portion for Shabbat Chazon is read this Shabbat!

Shabbat Chazon (שבת חזון | Vision)

Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27

These are the words of Moshe

(Deuteronomy 1:1)
Av 8, 5776/August 13, 2016

This week we begin the fifth and final book of Torah, the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is a Greek term which reflects the coinage of the sages of Israel, who refer to the book as the Mishna Torah, meaning "a second teaching of the Law," as many previously stated commandments and events are re-articulated throughout the book. The Hebrew name of the book is simply Devarim - words - taken from the opening verse, "These are the words of Moshe...," (Deut.1:1) which is, in fact, an exquisitely appropriate title, as the entire book, (unlike the four books which preceded it and record the word of G-d ), is comprised of the words spoken by Moshe to the children of Israel during the course of the thirty-seven final days of his life.