Parashat Chukat (Statute of) Bamidbar (Numbers) 19:1-22:1 Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33 As I prepared to write this week’s commentary, I felt that it is important to repost what I wrote last year with some additional thoughts. … Read More
When God’s Best Isn’t “Enough”
Parashat Korach Bamidbar (Numbers) 16:1-18:32 Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22 In this week’s Parashah, we read of Korach, who was the great grandson of Levi (and cousin of Moses and Aaron). As a descendant of Levi, … Read More
Trusting When We Don’t See
Parashat Shelach (Send Forth) Bamidbar (Numbers) 13:1-15:41 Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24 As I prepared to write this week’s commentary, the word “trust” kept coming back to me. As I look at my life as a follower … Read More
The Realness of His Presence
Parashat Behaalot’ha (When You Kindle) Bamidbar (Numbers) 8:1–12:6 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 (2:10 in the Hebrew Bible) How does God’s presence translate into our everyday lives? In other words, what are the things that we would … Read More
Paul’s Zeal for the Kingdom
Parashat Nasso (Lift Up) Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:21-7:89 Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25 In my most recent commentary, I wrote that just like the Levites, we His followers are called to take care of God’s kingdom on this … Read More
Guarding the Kingdom
Parashat Bamidbar (In the Desert/Wilderness) Numbers 1:1-4:20 Maftir: Numbers 28:11-15 Haftarah: 1 Samuel 20:18-42 Why did the Levitical priests receive such an important task in guarding the tabernacle of the testimony? Let’s see what our … Read More
Obedience is a Choice
Parashat Bahar (On the Mountain) & Bechukotai (In My Decrees) Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:1-26:2 & 26:3-27:34 Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19–17:14 One of the most important words that we find in the Word of God is “if”. So … Read More
Caring for Body & Soul
Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 In this week’s Parashah, we see that God called the Levitical priests to a very specific standard of living. We find similar instructions in the Haftarah … Read More
Beyond Judgment
Parashat Achrei Mot (After the death) & Kedoshim (Holy ones) Vayikra (Leviticus) 16:1-18:40 & 19:1-20:27 Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 (Ashkenazi Jews) & Ezekiel 22:1-16 (Sephardi Jews) In the end days, God’s city Jerusalem will experience His … Read More
A Testimony of God’s Healing
Parashat Tazria (She Conceives) & Metzora (Leprosy) Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:1-13:8 & 14:1-15:33 Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24 This week’s reading portions contain some very interesting precepts that God gave to the children of Israel regarding that which … Read More