Parashat Re’eh (See or Look) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 11:26-16:19 Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5 Recently, I had the privilege to share a message at one of our partner congregations in the United States. The message that I prepared … Read More
The Difference Between God and Men
Parashat Ekev (Because of ) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 7:12-11:25 Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3 Many years ago, as a young man who just enlisted in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force), I received a small pocketbook of Psalms. Back … Read More
When Worries Become Idols
Parashat Va’etchanan (To Implore or Beg…) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 3:23–7:11 Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1–26 We live in some very interesting days, where we see some serious changes happening in front of our own eyes in many different … Read More
A Vision of Restoration
Parashat D’varim (Words) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 1:1-3:22 Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1–27 Shabbat Hazon (Vision) This week’s reading from the Haftarah is the last of the three weeks’ reading prior to the ninth of Av (known as Tisha … Read More
Walking the Walk
Parashat Mattot (Tribes) & Masei (Tribes and Journeys) Bamidbar (Numbers) 30:2-32:42 & 33:1-36:13 Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:4, 4:1-2 In the Parashah of this week, we read a description of the journeys of the children of … Read More
The Mystery of Grace & Judgment
Parashat Pinchas Bamidbar (Numbers) 25:10-30:1 Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 During the next three weeks, there are special readings from the Haftarah portions called “Between the Mitzarim (Afflictions)”. The term “Between the Mitzarim” can also refer to … Read More
A Stumbling Block
Parashat Balak Bamidbar (Numbers) 22:2–25:9 Haftarah: Micah 5:6–6:8 In this week’s Parashah, we read of the famous story of Balak and Balaam. Balak was the king of Moab and although Hedid not know the God … Read More
History Doesn’t Lie – Part 2
Parashat Chukat (Statute of) Bamidbar (Numbers) 19:1-22:1 Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33 As I prepared to write this week’s commentary, I felt that it is important to repost what I wrote last year with some additional thoughts. … Read More
When God’s Best Isn’t “Enough”
Parashat Korach Bamidbar (Numbers) 16:1-18:32 Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22 In this week’s Parashah, we read of Korach, who was the great grandson of Levi (and cousin of Moses and Aaron). As a descendant of Levi, … Read More
Trusting When We Don’t See
Parashat Shelach (Send Forth) Bamidbar (Numbers) 13:1-15:41 Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24 As I prepared to write this week’s commentary, the word “trust” kept coming back to me. As I look at my life as a follower … Read More