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Parasha Balak (Destroyer): Curses and Superstition

In this week’s Torah portion, the Moabite king, Balak, resorts to the power of cursing after seeing Israel’s victory over the Amorites. To ensure the downfall of Israel, he offers Balaam, a renowned pagan prophet, fabulous riches in exchange for cursing Israel. Instead of cursing Israel, however, Balaam pronounces a blessing over Israel while speaking under the compulsion of the Spirit of God and asks, “How can I put a curse on people God hasn’t cursed?” (Numbers 23:8)

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Parasha Chukat (Statute or Decree): Humble Origins, Grand Destinies, and Rash Vows

Torah-Sefer-Shabbat-yad

In today's Sedra (also called Parasha or weekly Torah portion), Moses is given the law of the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer), the ashes of which purify those who have sinned or become ritually impure (tamei) through contact with a dead body (tumat met). The Israelites also arrive in the wilderness of Zin, after journeying in the desert for 38 or 40 years (depending upon rabbinic interpretation). There, Moses strikes the rock to bring forth water for the thirsty Israelites, instead of speaking to the rock as God had commanded him.

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Parasha Korach (Korah): 12 Essential Lessons from Korah’s Rebellion

Hebrew text-Torah portion

In this week's Parasha, we see that the seeds of rebellion which had already been planted were just waiting to break out into a full-blown uprising. Basically, three groups expressed discontentment with the leadership of Moses and Aaron: Korach (a Levite), Dathan and Abiram (from the tribe of Reuven), and 250 Israelite leaders who were appointed members of the council.

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Parasha Behaalotecha (When You Raise): The Meaning of the Menorah

This week, in Parasha Behaalotecha, we read that Aaron set the lights of the Menorah (which was hammered from a single piece of gold according to the pattern that God showed Moses) so that the area in front of the Menorah was lit. Only Aaron and his sons, the Cohanim (priests), were entrusted with the important duty of lighting the menorah. The rabbis say that Moses’ brother Aaron was chosen because of his reliability in performing a menial task day after day.

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Parasha Naso (Lift Up): When God’s Name Is upon Us

Torah Yad Reading

This Parasha models community living, especially in regard to serving the Lord. When we live and work together in community, and everyone has their own assigned tasks so that each carries part of the load, burdens do not fall too heavily on a few key individuals. This is the idea behind the communal lifestyle of the Israeli kibbutz movement. It's also the lifestyle of the early kehillah—the early community of Believers in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).

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Parasha Acharei-Kedoshim (After-Holy Ones): Holy Confidence in Atonement

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This week’s combined Torah portion, Parasha Acharei-Kedoshim, discusses Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and holiness. It begins with Aaron, the Cohen Hagadol (high priest), preparing for the crucial once-a-year sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. In order to minister before the Lord on this holy day, Aaron first immersed himself in the mikvah (ritual cleansing). Before he brought the ketoret (incense offering) into the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the Sanctuary, he put on simple, white linen clothing, representing purity and humility, which was appropriate for this sacred day, instead of his resplendent golden garments.

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