Parashat Va’etchanan (To Implore or Beg) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 3:23–7:11 Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1–26 In our Parashah and Haftarah this week, there are some very severe warnings regarding idol worship. Before I continue, I believe that a … Read More
The Danger of Self-Righteousness
Parashat D’varim (Words) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 1:1-3:22 Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1–27 Shabbat Hazon (Vision) This week’s reading from the Haftarah is the last of the three weeks’ reading prior to the ninth of Av (known as Tisha … Read More
Drawing from His Well
Parashat Masei (Journeys) Bamidbar (Numbers) 33:1-36:13 Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4-18, 3:4 & 4:1-2 Our Parashah opens with: These are the journeys of the sons of Israel, by which they came out of the land of Egypt … Read More
Judgment & Grace
Parashat Mattot (Tribes) Bamidbar (Numbers) 30:2-32:42 Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 During the next three weeks there are special readings from the Haftarah portions called “Between the Mitzarim (straits)”. This three-week period is connected to the first … Read More
Promises Fulfilled
Parashat Pinchas Bamidbar (Numbers) 25:10–30:1 Haftarah: I Kings 18:46–19:21 As I was reading this week’s Parashah and Haftarah portions, I saw an incredible connection between God’s call, His Promises, His faithfulness, Moses, Elijah, and a … Read More
The Danger of Dissatisfaction
Parashat Korach Bamidbar (Numbers) 16:1–18:32 Haftarah: I Samuel 11:14–12:22 In a recent conversation with some close friends, we spoke about the reality of life and the challenges we face. Whether it’s raising kids and the … Read More
Leaning on Him
Parashat Shelach (Send Forth) Bamidbar (Numbers) 13:1–15:41 Haftarah: Joshua 2:1–24 In my early years walking with the Lord, I would read a daily chapter from the Book of Proverbs. One of the most well-known verses … Read More
The Testimony of His Presence
Parashat Behaalot’ha (When You Kindle) Bamidbar (Numbers) 8:1–12:6 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:10-4:7 (2:14 in the Hebrew Bible) In this week’s Parashah, we read an amazing and dramatic description of when God’s presence came to dwell among … Read More
Abstaining for a Greater Purpose
Parashat Nasso (Lift Up) Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:21–7:89 Haftarah: Judges 13:2–25 The Western world in which most of us live is full of indulgences. While there is no problem with enjoying nice things, our human inclination … Read More
An Everlasting Love Story
Parashat Bamidbar (In the Desert/Wilderness) Bamidbar (Numbers) 1:1–4:20 Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22 (1:10-2:20 in the English Bible) I am always amazed by the new insights the LORD gives when we read the Scriptures repeatedly. This happened … Read More