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Parasha Ki Tetze (When You Go Out): Discipline Is Love

August 31, 2012 This week’s Parasha (Torah portion) begins with God’s expectations that we treat people, including female captives of war, with kindness, respect, and human decency. For instance, if an Israelite soldier saw a beautiful woman among those taken captive during battle, and desired her for a wife, he was first required to allow her to grieve for a full month the bitterness of her captivity. Even if he didn’t want her afterward, he couldn’t sell her or treat her as a slave (Deuteronomy 21:10–14).

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Parasha Shoftim (Judges): The Hebrew Connection Between Justice and Righteousness

August 24, 2012 In Hebrew, justice (tzekek) is closely tied to righteousness and holiness. In fact, the words righteous (tzadik) and charity (tzedakah) are related to justice (tzedek). It only follows, then, that God is a God of Justice. He is called the Lord our Righteousness (YHVH Tzidkenu), the Righteous God (Elohim Tzadik), and Righteous Judge (Shofat Tzadik).

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Parasha Re’eh (See): Discover the Path of Blessing

August 16, 2012 This Parasha reveals that God has endowed each of us with free will and the ability to make choices – for good or for evil, for blessing or for curse. These are the two courses are that presented to Israel here, and each Israelite is free to choose.

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Parasha Eikev (Because): Following the Lead of a Loving Father

August 10, 2012 Moses promises the Israelites that they would enjoy prosperity and good health if they walk in God's ways. It’s not enough to be hearers of the Word; we must also be diligent doers of the Word. All the blessings and benefits we receive from God are because of our obedience to His Word. Some of the rewards brought about by obedience to His Word include prosperity, favor, and good health.

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Parasha Va’etchanan (And I Pleaded): When God Says No

August 3, 2012 The Promised Land was Moses’ dream, vision, and goal. And after all his hard work, and all the complaining and trouble he put up with, not only was he not allowed to enter, but he had to support his successor who would—Joshua. Here is a true test of character: not only accepting that we won’t have our heart’s desire, but also being happy for those who will, and even encouraging them. Still, imagine the disappointment of Moses at not being personally able to experience the fulfillment of God's promise!

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Parasha Devarim (Words): Leaving Our Wilderness Wandering Behind

July 24, 2012 Words are powerful! They can bring life and blessing or death and destruction. The Torah itself first draws attention to the power of words in the first book of Moses (Genesis), the first verses.

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Parasha Matot-Masei (Tribes-Journey): Becoming a Champion

July 21, 2012 When Israel arrived by the Jordan at Jericho, their wanderings had come to an end, so God gave Moses directives regarding their imminent entry into the Promised Land. The very first command was to “drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you.... Take possession of the land and settle it, for I have given you that land to possess. (Numbers 33:52–53)” God warned Israel that there would be consequences if they failed to drive out the inhabitants of the land. He also delineated Israel's borders (Numbers 34:1–10). These border certainly contrast the borders that the nations of the world have in mind for Israel today.

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Parasha Pinchas (Phinehas): Leadership, Zeal and the Call of God

July 13, 2012 Because the Moabites were unable to curse Israel directly, they instead ensnared the Israelites in sin (Numbers 25:18). According to rabbinic tradition, Balaam understood that Israel had to be lured to destruction through sexual immorality, since he knew that he could not utter a curse against them.

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Parasha Balak (Destroyer): Unleash the Power of Blessing in Your Life

July 6, 2012 Words are powerful. Although today, we tend to minimize the power of the words we speak, during the time of Moses and Balaam, the entire ancient world believed in the very real power of blessings and curses. In fact, the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) clearly says that the tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).

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Parasha Chukat (Statute or Decree): What Was Wrong with Moses Smiting the Rock?

June 29, 2012 God confirmed the leadership of Moses and Aaron with three events: the earth swallowed those who joined Korach's mutiny; fire consumed the leaders who presumed to offer incense; and Aaron's staff miraculously blossomed.

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