Dangerous Faith

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 we are living in today, especially here in Israel. His Word is … Read More

When What You Want Isn’t What You Need

Parashat Behaalot’ha (When You Kindle)   Bamidbar (Numbers) 8:1–12:16 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:10-4:7 (2:14 in the Hebrew Bible)  Every time I read this week’s Parashah, Behaalot’ha, a particular memory comes to mind. As many of you know, one … Read More

Carriers of His Name

Parashat Nasso (Lift Up)    Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:21-7:89 Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25 This week’s parashah contains one of the most well-known and beloved blessings in all of Scripture—the Priestly Blessing, also known as the Aaronic Blessing. … Read More

Shavuot in the Land of Milk and Honey

As the warm breeze sweeps across Israel in late spring, families and communities prepare to celebrate one of the most joyous and meaningful festivals on the Jewish calendar, Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks. This holiday … Read More

The Beauty of the Wilderness

Parashat Bamidbar (In the Desert/Wilderness)   Numbers 1:1-4:20Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22 (1:10-2:20 in the English Bible) The Hebrew name for the Book of Numbers is Bamidbar—“In the Wilderness.” It’s not just a name. It’s a reality that Israel … Read More

Is God Done with Israel?

Parashat Bahar (On the Mountain) & Bechukotai (In My Decrees)   Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:1-26:2 & 26:3-27:34Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14. This week’s Scripture portion begins with God’s instructions to Israel as they prepare to enter the Land: The LORD … Read More

The Difficult Path

Parashat Emor (Say)   Parasha: Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 This week’s Parashah speaks directly to the priests , those set apart for service to God. As I read through these chapters, I was reminded … Read More

Stop Pointing Fingers

Parashat Achrei Mot (After the Death) & Kedoshim (Holy Ones) Vayikra (Leviticus) 16:1-18:40 & 19:1-20:27Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 (Ashkenazi Jews) & Ezekiel 20:2-20 (Sephardic Jews) It’s easy to point at the world and say, “They’re the problem.” … Read More

Unlikely Messengers of Hope

Parashat Tazria (She Conceives) & Metzora (Leprosy) Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:1-13:8 & 14:1-15:33Haftarah: 2 Kings 7:3-20 This week’s double portion, Tazria and Metzora, deals with a topic that feels distant to many of us today: biblical leprosy, or tzara’at. While these … Read More

The Problem of Good Intentions

Parashat Shemini (Eighth) Leviticus 9:1-11:47Haftarah: 2 Samuel 6:1-7:17 This week, during our staff meeting, we found ourselves asking a fundamental question: Why do we do what we do? As followers of God, are we simply going through … Read More