בס"ד Parashat Chukat (The law of) Numbers 19:1-22:1 Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33 In this week's Torah portion we read a unique verse concerning the well from which the Children of Israel drank water. Concerning this well it was said, "Then will sing Israel this Song: Come up O' Well They answered her." Numbers 21:17 The first thing that stands out about this song is its similarity to that … [Read more...]

בס"ד Parashat Korach: Numbers 16:1-18:32 Maftir:  Numbers 28:9-15 / Haftarah:  Isaiah 66:1-24 Shabbat Rosh Chodesh-Tammuz In this week's Torah portion, one learns that there are very serious consequences to following improper leadership.  Korach was an important man, a leader among leaders, but he was not whom HaShem had chosen to speak through and to lead the Children of Israel.  … [Read more...]

בס"ד Parashat Sh'lach (Send) Numbers 13:1-15:41 Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24 In this week's Torah portion Moses sends spies to investigate the Promised Land and confirm the word of G-d that the land they were going to inherit was exactly as HaShem had said, that is a land flowing with milk and honey. Although the spies did confirm that the land was good, they (except for Joshua and Caleb) … [Read more...]

בס"ד Parashat Beha'alotcha (When you kindle) Numbers 8:1-12:16 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 In this week's Torah portion one encounters the same tendency that exists today among some believers which was also present among the Children of Israel in the wilderness. People expect G-d to give to them what they want instead of seeking how they might serve Him and do His will. One reads that there … [Read more...]

בס"ד Parashat Nasso (Lift up- a Hebrew idiom for taking a census) Numbers 4:21-7:89 Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25 It this week's Torah portion one reads about the Tabernacle in the wilderness being erected and worship beginning there. It is for this reason that HaShem commanded the Children of Israel the following, "And HaShem spoke to Moses saying, 'Command the Children of Israel that they … [Read more...]

בס"ד Parashat Bamidbar (In the Wilderness) Numbers 1:1-4:20 Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22 The Children of Israel celebrated Passover only one time in the wilderness. They did so in the first year after coming out of Egypt. Why did they not keep Passover the other 39 years? The answer is because after the faithlessness of the people in regard to the incident with the spies, they were prohibited from … [Read more...]

בס"ד Parshiot Behar & Bechukotai (On a Mountain & in My decrees) Leviticus 25:1-26:2 & 26:3-27:34 Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 Shabbat Chazak This Shabbat we read two Torah readings. This article will be based on the first reading, Behar. In this section, one learns of the Shemittah year or Sabbatical year (every seventh year) and also the year of Jubilee (every fiftieth … [Read more...]

בס"ד Parashat Emor (Say) Leviticus 21:1-24:23 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 This week's Torah portion contains a foundational part of Jewish observance— the festivals. I am frequently asked by individuals who are not Jewish, "Should I keep the Biblical festivals?" My answer is the same whether one is a Jewish believer or a Gentile believer. First, it must be acknowledged that it is physically … [Read more...]

בס"ד Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 Once again we have a double Torah portion this week. The second parashah is Kedoshim or saints. It reminds the reader that G-d's people are commanded to be different than those who have not experienced redemption. In chapter 19 of Leviticus, there is a list of things which one should do and should not do. The chapter concludes with the words, "And you shall keep … [Read more...]

בס"ד Parshiot Tazria and Metzora ("She will conceive" and "A leper") Leviticus 12:1-13:59 and 14:1-15:33 Haftarah: 2 Kings 7:3-20 This week, because it is not a Jewish leap year, we read two Torah portions. This article will focus on the latter, Metzora, which deals primarily with leprosy. We have learned previously that most often the leprosy mentioned in the Bible is not referring to that … [Read more...]