Red Earth
We have finally “ketchuped” to the current Torah Portion, Toldot, which means “Generations.” You can read about Toldot in Genesis 25:19-28:9. A colorful enemy shows its face in the story of Jacob and Esau, two twin boys that Isaac and Rebeccah had. The enemy is the red earthly nature, a symbol of our human inclination […]
Protect the Seed
The Torah Portion ending on Saturday was “Chayei Sarah,” or the Life of Sarah. You can read about Sarah’s life in Genesis 23:1-25:18. Upon first look, it does not appear that there is a blatant enemy in this portion. However, a crucial enemy is lurking in between the lines. The enemy that Abraham guarded against […]
The Cries of My Children
Much is happening in last week’s Torah Portion, Vayera, meaning, “And He appeared.” You can find this portion in Genesis 18:1-22:24. What would you say is the greatest enemy found in these chapters? From what I can see, it is the wickedness of humanity in the form of oppression. In the story of Noach, I […]
Walk This Way
Abraham, the Father of Faithfulness, was tested in the same ways God tested Israel and describes a journey we all take. Many types of adversaries grace each Torah Portion; however, you should be able to find a common thread that none of them are celestial or otherworldly. Lech Lecha, the Torah Portion from last week, […]
The Hearts of Men
“What did the mama tomato say to the baby tomato? Ketchup, baby tomato!” My son told me this joke when he was about four, and I am trying to “ketchup” to the current Torah Portion. Noach is the next Torah Portion for us to unpack and is found in Genesis 6:9-11:32. Just as in Beireshit, […]
Beast Of The Field
Long time no smell! To say that this year has been challenging would be a massive understatement. I don’t believe I am out of the woods yet, but I see the light peeking through, allowing me to return to my favorite form of worship: studying the Bible. This year, I decided to walk you through […]
Shoftim (Judges)
You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the Lord your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. ~Deuteronomy 16:18 In this Torah portion, Moses commands Israel to place judges within their gates. It can also be a personal command since the Hebrew […]
Re’eh (See)
Deuteronomy 13:5;7: But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord […]
Devarim (Words)
Are we are in Devarim, or Deuteronomy, already? If Deuteronomy is considered a “repetition of the Torah”, then Words is the greatest name for it. Words are only the most important thing in the Universe. Words created the world and are the very first action of God, He spoke and brought things into existence, then […]
Mattot-Massei (Tribes-Journeys)
The end of Numbers, or Bamidbar in Hebrew, recounts Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan. I can see the creation process unfolding for the Israelites over their life-long journey into a Promised Land. God is establishing His Kingdom and teaching the Israelites how to be subjects of this Kingdom. Day One– The Israelites left Egypt the day […]