A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: NOACH (GENESIS 6:9-11:32)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   This week’s Torah parsha begins: “These are the generations of Noah; Noah was a righteous man for this generation; Noah walked with God”(1). Numerous commentaries have emerged, pertaining to the implication that ‘Noah was a righteous man’. In a rare ‘Torah Moment’, Torah scholars are actually in agreement […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: BEREISHIT (GENESIS 1:1-6:8)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   “In the beginning of God’s creation of the heavens and earth, God said: “Let there be light; and there was light”(1). The first Torah parsha of the Book of Genesis, Bereishit, is probably the most familiar of any other portions of the Torah. The wondrous origination of the […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: HA’AZINU (DEUTERONOMY 32:1- 32:5)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   Every year, either in proximity, or during the ‘Ten Days of Repentance,’ we read the penultimate Torah parsha, Ha’azinu. It is no coincidence that when we are experiencing a heightened sense of spirituality, we are enjoined to hear Moses’ final words to The Children of Israel. For a […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: NITZAVIM-VAYELECH (DEUTERONOMY 29:9-31:30)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant     This week, we read a double parshiot: Nitzavim-Vayelech. After hearing the list of 98 terrifying curses at the end of last week’s parsha (Ki Tavo), the people were devastated and questioned whether they could possibly withstand such frightful punishments. Moses responded with the opening statement of parsha […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: KI TAVO (DEUTERONOMY 26:1-29:8)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah congregant   This week’s parsha, Ki Tavo, begins with instructions from Moses to the Children of Israel. They are directed that on the very day that they cross the Jordan, to create two huge stones on which each word of the Torah will be clearly written. At that point, The […]