This Shabbat, dear friends, we will look at the middle of this week’s parasha, Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32). We are all familiar with the start of the story of Noah and the ark. But things can get a bit hazy when it comes to the events immediately following the receding of the waters. Together, let’s examine… Continue Reading
The entire world, heaven and earth, is asked to listen to Moses’ final speech: Give ear, O heavens, let me speak; Let the earth hear the words I utter! (Deut. 32:1) This is his last chance to deliver reminders, motivation, and chastisement to the Israelites. Parashat Haazinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-52) is one of the shortest parshiyot in… Continue Reading
Surely, this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach. It is not in the heavens, that you should say, “Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?”… Continue Reading
Both our Torah and Haftarah portion are focused on dichotomies. Parashat Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8) describes a ritual in which the Levites will proclaim potential blessings and curses to the Israelites, and they must reply, “Amen!” in acknowledgment. These blessings and curses go into great detail as reminders of the consequences of our actions. The… Continue Reading
Many thanks to Rick Hornung for graciously volunteering to lead Scrollers this Shabbat. Rick’s preview is below. Shabbat Shalom! __________________________________ “And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt; therefore I command thee to do this thing.” Dt. 24:22 “Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way ye came… Continue Reading
“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” – Elie Wiesel How does one gather the courage to stand up in the face of opposition? As part of a minority? As a voice of conscience opposite an apathetic mob? What do we do when,… Continue Reading
And, like that, we are back in the fifth book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. It is called Devarim in Hebrew, which means “words” or “things.” Our first portion of the book, also called Devarim (Deuternomy 1:1-3:22), notes that these final speeches from Moses are being delivered on the other side of the Jordan River, just before we… Continue Reading
It’s quite easy to make generalizations about the typical disregard of women and their rights throughout the Torah. And, for the most part, you’d probably be right if you assumed that the Torah tends to either ignore or diminish most Israelite women. This week’s portion, Parashat Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1), with its mention of Serach bat… Continue Reading
Oh, dear Holy Scrollers, this is one of those weeks where it is such a joy to include the Haftarah reading in our Shabbat study. As you will see, it adds a meaningful layer to the already fascinating stories contained within Parashat Balak. We are in Parashat Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9). In it, Balak, the king… Continue Reading
First of all, we need a shehecheyanu blessing in honor of the fact that, as of this Parashat Sh’lach L’cha, we have studied the entire Torah together! Thank you all for such an edifying year of study. I look forward to many more to come! We are in Parashat Sh’lach L’cha (Numbers 13:1-15:41), the second… Continue Reading
PRAY
ENGAGE
LEARN
ABOUT
CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM RODFE ZEDEK
55 East Kings Highway Chester, CT 06412 860.526.8920 office@cbsrz.org
© 2023 Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, All Rights Reserved
