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
On Whom Do You Lean?
Parashat Va’eira (And I Appeared) Shemot (Exodus) 6:2–9:35 Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21 At times, we can grow too comfortable with the things of the world and lean on tangible things rather than leaning on God. From … Read More
A Supernatural Calling
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) You may wonder why, this week, we have two different readings from the Haftarah portion. The Ashkenazi Jewish people (those in … Read More
A Different Kind of Offering
Parashat VaYaqhel (And He Assembled) & Parashat Pequdei (Accounts Of) Shemot (Exodus) 35:1–38:20 & 38:21–40:38 Haftarah: Ezekiel 45–46 In this week’s readings, we find repeated instructions for collecting an offering for the LORD in order … Read More
Sitting on the Fence
Parashat Ki Tisa (When You Lift Up) Shemot (Exodus) 30:11–34:35 Haftarah: 1 Kings 18:1–39 As I was reading our portions for this week, I was thinking of a very famous Israeli song by Arik Einstein, … Read More
Preparing His Kingdom!
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
Don’t Go Back to Egypt!
Parashat Mishpatim (Ordinances or Statutes) Shemot (Exodus) 21:1–24:18 Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8–22, 33:25–26 Our weekly Scripture portion opens with a very interesting verse, which is usually interpreted in a negative way. However, I believe we misunderstand … Read More
A Call to Holiness & Humility
Parashat Yitro (Jethro) Shemot (Exodus) 18:1–20:23 Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1–7:6, 9:5–6 (6–7) As I was reading through this week’s reading portions, I noticed a common theme between the Parasha and Haftarah with regard to God’s call, … Read More
A Heart of Praise
Parashat Beshalach (When He Sent) Shemot (Exodus) 13:17–17:16 Haftarah: Judges 4:4–5:31 In both the Parasha and Haftara portions this week, we learn of the importance of having a heart of praise, a heart that acknowledges … Read More
One True God
Parashat Bo (Come) Shemot (Exodus) 10:1–13:16 Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13–28 This past week, as my family and I were going through a Bible study together, we discussed the fact that the one true living God is … Read More