Parashat Shemot (Names) Shemot (Exodus) 1:1-6:1 Haftarah: Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23 (Ashkenazi); Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 (Sephardic) This week, we have two different readings from the Haftarah portion.* The Ashkenazi Jewish people (those in the diaspora who lived … Read More
The Weight of His Glory
Parashat Pequdei (Accounts Of) Shemot (Exodus) 38:21-40:38 Haftarah: 1 Kings 7:51-8:21 (Ashkenazi) 1 Kings 7:40-50 (Sephardic) In this week’s reading, we find a concept that I am not sure, today, we really understand. Oftentimes, I … Read More
A Willing Heart
Parashat VaYaqhel (And He Assembled) Shemot (Exodus) 35:1–38:20 Special reading for Shabbat Shekalim: Shemot (Exodus) 30:11–16 Haftarah: 2 Kings 11:17–12:17 (Sephardic) We have a special reading this week for “Shabbat Shekalim”, which is the Shabbat … Read More
Faithful & True
Parashat Ki Tisa (When You Lift Up) Shemot (Exodus) 30:11-34:35 Haftarah: 1 Kings 18:1-39 We read one of the most well-known, yet tragic accounts in the history of the people of Israel this week. It … Read More
Renewed by the Blood
Parashat Tetzaveh (You Shall Command) Shemot (Exodus) 27:20–30:10 Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10–27 The phenomenon that the Creator of the Universe wants to dwell with us kept coming back to me as I studied this week’s Parashah. … Read More
Dwelling Among Us
Parashat Terumah (Donation) Shemot (Exodus) 25:1–27:19 Haftarah: I Kings 5:26–6:13 The miracle of God desiring to dwell among humankind gets lost on us; it is one of the most incredible aspects of God’s character that … Read More
Freedom to Choose
Parashat Mishpatim (Ordinances or Statutes) Shemot (Exodus) 21:1–24:18 Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8-22, 33:25–26 One of the greatest gifts God has given to us is the freedom to choose. As I wrote in a previous blog (but … Read More
A Perfect Plan of Redemption
Parashat Yitro (Jethro) Shemot (Exodus) 18:1–20:23 Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1–7:6, 9:5–6 (6–7) “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 … Read More
Supernatural Victories
Parashat Beshalach (When He Sent) Shemot (Exodus) 13:17–17:16 Haftarah: Judges 4:4–5:31 I hope this week’s commentary will encourage you to keep your eyes focused on the Lord in whatever situation you may be facing, even … Read More
Inescapable Judgment; Amazing Grace
Parashat Bo (Come) Shemot (Exodus) 10:1–13:16 Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13–28 God’s judgment can come in different forms, which is something that we see in both the Parashah and Haftarah portions this week. In the Parashah, we … Read More