Friend of the Bridegroom

On the day of the revelation at Mount Sinai, the Almighty brought his bride, the nation of Israel, under the chuppah.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Yitro (יתרו | Jethro)

Torah: Exodus 18:1-20:23

Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-8:1

Is HaShem in our midst or not?

(Exodus 17:7)

Shevat 14, 5777/February 10, 2017

"He named the place Massah (testing) and Merivah (quarreling) because of the quarrel of the children of Israel and because of their testing HaShem, saying, 'Is HaShem in our midst or not?'" (Exodus 17:7)

After crossing the Sea of Reeds G-d and Israel are alone together for the very first time. We ourselves may possess romantic notions of love at first sight, or dreams of happily ever after, but it is only natural that, in the post-Sea of Reeds reality, G-d will be testing Israel and that Israel will be testing G-d. After all, Israel has a lot of growing to do on the way to receiving Torah at Sinai and possessing the land G-d has promised. And G-d, for His part, will require the full measure of His supernal patience.

No Shortcuts

Human beings are always in a hurry. We want things done right away.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Beshalach (בשלח | When he sent)

Torah: Exodus 13:17-17:16

Haftarah: Judges 4:4-5:31

Gospel: Matthew 5

HaShem strengthened Pharaoh's heart

(Exodus 10:1)

Shevat 7, 5777/February 3, 2017

"Come to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart... " (Exodus 10:1) "But HaShem strengthened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out." (ibid 10:20) "HaShem strengthened Pharaoh's heart, and he was unwilling to let them out." (ibid 10:27) " ...but HaShem strengthened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel out of his land." (ibid 11:10)

Four times in this week's Torah reading, parashat Bo, we are told that G-d either "hardened" or "strengthened Pharaoh's heart," as he repeatedly refused to allow Israel to make a three day retreat into the desert so that they could serve their G-d. These four instances in which G-d, and not Pharaoh, hardens Pharaoh's heart beg the inevitable question: What has become of Pharaoh's free will?

Leaving the Old Culture Behind

Embark on a new path. Make a clean break from your past. Change direction.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Bo (בוא | Come)

Torah: Exodus 10:1-13:16

Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

Gospel: Mark 3:7-19

With this you will know that I am HaShem

(Exodus 7:17)

Tevet 29, 5777/January 27, 2017

Back in the day before internet, social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Whatsapp; long before the smartphone, the cellphone, the cordless phone, the dial phone; thousands of years before television, radio, newsreels, telegraphs, the pony express or the printing press, when G-d wanted to deliver a message to the world He would write it boldly in the heavens, shake the foundations of the earth, and cause the oceans to rise or fall, according to His will. Actually, G-d continues to communicate with His creation in the very same way today. Only today, who's listening?

The Robber and the Strong Man

Moses came like burglar breaking into a strong man's home, assaulting the homeowner, tying him up, and taking away all the homeowner's possessions.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Va'era (וארא | I appeared)

Torah: Exodus 6:2-9:35

Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21

Gospel: Matthew 12:1-14