All Things Created for Him

Though millions of men and women filled the world, God chose one man. Why did God choose Abraham? The rabbis say that he chose him as the rock on which to build the world.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Lech Lecha (לך לך | Go forth)

Torah: Genesis 12:1-17:27

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17

Man of the earth

(Genesis 9:20)
Marcheshvan 3, 5777/November 4, 2016

Noach is referred to by Torah as "a righteous man," "pure in his generations," (Genesis 6:9) and later, as "a man of the earth." (ibid 9:20) Righteous and pure are obvious praises of Noach's moral stature. In a generation characterized by Torah as thoroughly depraved and riddled by decadence, (and later described by our sages as the absolute most evil generation in all history), Noach's righteousness and purity shone like a beacon that, alas, not one among his contemporaries was willing to honor or heed.

The Door in the Ark

God commanded Noah to place a door on the side of the ark. In Chasidic teaching, the door in the ark symbolizes repentance.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Noach (נח | Noah)

Torah: Genesis 6:9-11:32

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Gospel: Luke 1:5-80

The Way of the Tree of Life

Did you know that you are an exile? Much as the Jewish people endure the punishment of exile from the holy land, all humanity suffers in exile—driven from the delights of paradise and the potential of eternal life.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

B'reisheet (בראשית | In the beginning)

Torah: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

Moses Negotiated for Forgiveness

Moses knew that he had found favor in God's eyes. By deliberatly identifying himself with Israel, he extended that favor to the whole nation.

A special portion for Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot is read this Shabbat!

Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot (סוכות שבת חל המועד | Intermediate Day of Sukkot on Shabbat)

Torah: Exodus 33:12-34:26

Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18-39:16

Spiritually Flabby

Staying in good physical condition requires regular exercise and self-discipline. Staying in good spiritual shape requires no less effort.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Ha'azinu (האזינו | Listen)

Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

Gospel: John 20:26-21:25

Shuvah Yisrael

We call the Sabbath that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur "Shabbat Shuvah" which means "the Sabbath of Repentance."

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayelech (וילך | He went)

Torah: Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Haftarah: Isaiah 55:6-56:8

Gospel: Luke 24:13-43

A special portion for Shabbat Shuvah is read this Shabbat!

Shabbat Shuvah (שבת שובה | Shabbat of Return)

Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27