This week’s Torah Parsha (DEVARIM) is the first in the last Book of the Torah, DEUTERONOMY. The entire book denotes a major shift from each of the four earlier Books. We read how Moses acted as the liaison between God’s Word and the Israelites; their leader and teacher for over forty years; and, the man […]
Posts in the A ‘Bissel’ of Torah category:
A weekly dvar Torah from our wonderful Joy Scott.
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: BALAK (NUMBERS 22:2-25:9)
By Joy Scott, Congregant A ‘prophet for hire’, a talking donkey, and flying angels: This is not a child’s fairy tale; but, rather the essence of this week’s Torah Parsha (BALAK). The Parsha begins with the Israelites continuing their journey to Canaan. They have already defeated their enemies in the land of the Amorites, and […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: CHUKAT (NUMBERS 19:1-22:1)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In an almost imperceptible yet seismic shift, this week’s Torah Parsha (CHUKAT) jumps several decades ahead in the wilderness journey of the Israelites; and its narrative reads like a riddle inside a riddle. The Torah Parsha begins: “This is the statute of the Torah which the Lord commanded…(1), and […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: KORACH (NUMBERS 16:1-18:32)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In last week’s Torah Parsha (SHELACH), twelve ‘spies’, after scouting the land of Canaan for forty days, returned with a blatantly, exaggerated falsehood, pertaining to the strength and size of the inhabitants, who were to be conquered. Only, Joshua and Caleb, of the twelve rejected their claim that the […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: SHELACH (NUMBERS 13:1-15:41)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In last week’s Torah Parsha (BEHALOTECHA), we read about the Israelite’s turbulent saga of disillusionment, with their way of life in the desert. This week’s Parsha (SHELACH) takes a new and momentarily promising turn, with a look towards the future. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Send out men, […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: BEHAALOTECHA (NUMBERS 8:1-12:16)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant Slightly after a year of being rescued from Egypt, this week’s Parsha provides a glimpse into Moses’ psyche, as well as the state of mind of the Israelites. As the plan continues at Mount Sinai with some last minute perfunctory details, God instructs Moses regarding the procedures for […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: NASO (NUMBERS 4:21-7:89)
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: NASO (NUMBERS 4:21-7:89) By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Torah Parsha (NASO) begins with a continuation of last week’s Parsha (BAMIDBAR), completing the census of the Children of Israel, and assigning the intricate details of the tasks to be performed by each individual tribe, in the transporting of […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: BAMIDBAR (NUMBERS 1:1-4:20)
by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant Last week’s Torah Parsha (BECHUKOTAI) was the final portion in the Book of LEVITICUS. The entire Book of LEVITICUS provided us with dozens of commandments, directives, and sins; with corresponding punishments if any of God’s laws were disobeyed. Parsha (BECHUKOTAI) was particularly harsh, in the terror and curses, which […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: BECHUKOTAI (LEVITICUS 26:3-27:34)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Parsha (BECHUKOTAI) sets out with stunning clarity the terms of Jewish life under the covenant. In the first part, there is an idyllic picture of the blessing of Divine favor. If Israel follows God’s decrees and keeps his commandments, there will be rain; the earth will yield […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: BEHAR (LEVITICUS 25.1-26.2)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In the Book of EXODUS, we read how God miraculously overcame all obstacles to finally liberate the Israelites from over 400 years of slavery and bondage, in Egypt. The primary focus of the Book of LEVITICUS (which follows the Book of EXODUS) is to create a civilized society […]