Devarim- the final frontier. The Moses who first told God: “I am not a man of words,” concludes his life-mission with four dramatic and passionate sermons- his last words to the people before he leaves them to enter the Promised Land without him Moses knew his life soon would be ended His record he thus […]
Torah Commentary – Mas’ei
In the days before GPS devices, you could prepare for a trip by going to the AAA office and requesting a “TripTik.” A TripTik was a series of maps bound together and hi-lited to show your route from your house to your destination. The Torah Portion, Mas’ei, the final Portion in the Book of Numbers […]
Torah Commentary – Matot
The Torah Portion, Mattot, opens with God’s commandment that: “A man who will make a vow to YHWH or has sworn an oath to make a restriction on himself shall not desecrate his word. He shall do it according to everything that comes out of his mouth.” (Numbers 30:3)* As with all Torah Portions, Mattot, […]
Mas’ey Limerick
This weeks Parasha, Mas’ey, begins with a travelogue, of sorts. Moses lists all of the places where the Israelites have encamped up to this point. It then switches gears and Moses relays God’s command to destroy all of the remnants of the Caananites in the land of Israel – both people and religious shrines. It […]
Mattot Limerick
This week’s parsha, Mattot, has some difficult passages. It contains the laws of vows and the consequences for failing to carry them out. It also speaks about how women are not responsible for fulfilling vows if their husbands or fathers do not want them to. We then plunge head first into battle with the Midianites- […]
Torah Commentary – Pinchas
In terms of story qualities, the Torah Portion, Pinchas, stands in direct contrast to the previous Portion, Balak. Where the narrative of Balak was dramatic, poetic, and visually memorable, Pinchas is more like a series of memoranda. According to commentary, it is the 40th year of the Israelites’ wandering. They are encamped at “an eastern […]
A Dutch Uncle, is Above All, Still Family
Korach – A Dutch Uncle, is Above All, Still Family – Sermon – June 25, 2011 https://media.blubrry.com/jcasttotalfeed/jcastnetwork.org/storage/dsksermons/dsk015.mp3Podcast: Download
Podcast: Download
Torah Commentary – Balak
A wicked king, a talking donkey, a wizard whose curses miraculously turn to blessings – “Shrek Meets Harry Potter?” No! It’s the Torah Portion, Balak. Balak is one of my favorite Portions – both for its teachings and for some wonderful personal memories associated with it. Decades ago, in Israel, I had the pleasure of […]
Pinchas Limerick
This week’s parasha is named after Pinchas who, at then end of last week’s parasha, saves the Israelites from ruin in a graphic and violent action. The Midianites tried to Seduce the Israelites by sending their women to commit lewd and lascivious acts with the Israelite men. By all accounts, they were successful. Cozbi, the […]
Torah Commentary – Chukat
The Torah Portion, Chukat, grimly develops a number of themes, some of which are familiar to us from previous Portions: laws for rituals; complaints by the children of Israel which are met with punishment from God; conquest (with Divine assistance) of those who obstruct the Israelites’ journey to Canaan; death in combat and the death […]
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