Parashat Balak Numbers 22:2-25:9 Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8 This week, we delve into Parashat Balak, found in Bamidbar (Numbers) 22:2-25:9, with the Haftarah reading from Micah 5:6-6:8. Named after Balak, the king of Moab, this portion … Read More
The Danger of a Rebellious Heart
Parashat Korach Bamidbar (Numbers) 16:1-18:32 Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24 Shabbat Rosh Chodesh This week we have a special reading from Isaiah to mark the beginning of the Hebrew month, Tammuz. As I was reading the scripture … Read More
Facing the Giants in the Land
Parashat Shelach (Send Forth) Bamidbar (Numbers) 13:1-15:41 Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24 I often find myself connecting the truth of God’s Word to the reality of life today. Afterall, His Word is living and breathing, and is … Read More
A Reminder 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) A very wise man once told me that “we are in the ministry of reminders”; I believe this is … Read More
Vowing to be Set Apart
Parashat Nasso (Lift Up) Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:21-7:89 Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25 In this week’s Parashah, we read of a very special vow that a person could take upon themselves, which is the vow of the Nazirite: … Read More
Holding to His Promises
Parashat Bamidbar (In the Desert/Wilderness) Numbers 1:1-4:20 Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22 (1:10-2:20 in the English Bible) The reality of what took place here in Israel on October 7th and the ensuing war is heartbreaking and tragic. … Read More
His Power Perfected in Our Weakness
Parashat Bechukotai (In My Decrees) Vayikra (Leviticus) 26:3-27:34 Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 I often ask myself, “Why do I do what I do?” It’s important for us to examine what motivates us. Do we do things … Read More
To Whom Does the Land Belong?
Parashat Bahar (On the Mountain) Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:1–26:2 Haftarah: Jeremiah 32:6–27 We live in very intersting times, since May 14th 1948, when David Ben Gurion said in Israel’s Declaration of Independence: “ACCORDINGLY WE, MEMBERS OF … Read More
Chosen for What?
Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 The Jewish people are often called God’s “chosen people”. This begs the question, “For what have we been chosen?” The answer: To reveal the God of … Read More
Holiness: What it Is & Isn’t
Parashat Kedoshim (Holy Ones) Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:1-20:27 Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 (Ashkenazi Jews) & Ezekiel 20:2-20 (Sephardic Jews) Over the years of being a Jewish follower of the Messiah, I have often asked, “What was I … Read More