Vezot Habraha

Parachiot, Uncategorized

The Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret Torah readings are from Leviticus22-23, Numbers 29, and Deuteronomy 14-16. These readings detail the laws of the moadim or “appointed times” on the Jewish calendar for festive celebration of our … Read More

Hayei Sarah

Bereishit, Parachiot

Sarah dies at age 127 and is buried in the Machpelah Cave in Hebron, which Abraham purchases from Ephron the Hittite for four hundred shekels of silver. Abraham’s servant Eliezer is sent, laden with gifts, … Read More

Vayeitzei

Bereishit, Parachiot

Jacob leaves his hometown of Beersheba and journeys to Charan. On the way, he encounters “the place” and sleeps there, dreaming of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels climbing and descending on it; … Read More

Vayeishev

Bereishit, Parachiot, Uncategorized

Jacob settles in Hebron with his twelve sons. His favorite is seventeen-year-old Joseph, whose brothers are jealous of the preferential treatment he receives from his father, such as a precious many-colored coat that Jacob makes … Read More

Toldot

Bereishit, Parachiot

Isaac and Rebecca endure twenty childless years, until their prayers are answered and Rebecca conceives. She experiences a difficult pregnancy as the “children struggleinside her”; G‑d tells her that “there are two nations in your … Read More

Shelach

Parachiot

Shelach in a Nutshell Numbers 13:1–15:41 Moses sends twelve spiesto the land of Canaan. Forty days later they return, carrying a huge cluster of grapes, a pomegranate and a fig, to report on a lush … Read More

Miketz

Bereishit, Parachiot

Joseph’s imprisonment finally ends when Pharaoh dreams of seven fat cows that are swallowed up by seven lean cows, and of seven fat ears of grain swallowed by seven lean ears. Joseph interprets the dreams … Read More

Vayigash

Bereishit, Parachiot

Vayigash in a Nutshell Genesis 44:18–47:27 Judah approaches Joseph to plead for the release of Benjamin, offering himself as a slave to the Egyptian ruler in Benjamin’s stead. Upon witnessing his brothers’ loyalty to one … Read More

Vayehi

Bereishit, Parachiot, Uncategorized

Jacob lives the final 17 years of his life in Egypt. Before his passing, he asks Joseph to take an oath that he will bury him in the Holy Land. He blesses Joseph’s two sons, … Read More

Shemot

chemot, Parachiot

The children of Israel multiply in Egypt. Threatened by their growing numbers, Pharaoh enslaves them and orders the Hebrew midwives, Shifrah and Puah, to kill all male babies at birth. When they do not comply, … Read More