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