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

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant Every year, either in close proximity, or during the ‘Ten Days of Repentance’, we read the penultimate Torah Parsha (HAAZINU). 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 (NITZAVIRIM-VAYELECH). After hearing the list of 98 terrifying curses, at the end of last week’s Torah 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 this point, The Levites […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: KI TEITZEI (DEUTERONOMY 21:10-25:19)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Torah Parsha (KI TEITZEI) occurs as the Children of Israel are at the brink of embarking on war with hostile nations, as they tirelessly struggle to reach the ‘Promised Land’. The Parsha comprises seventy-four of the Torah’s six hundred and thirteen commandments. The separate commandments, pertaining to […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: SHOFTIM (DEUTERONOMY 16:18-21:9)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In previous Parshiot in the Book of DEUTERONOMY, we learned how God began preparing for the establishment of a new nation in the ‘Promised Land’. Equal portions of the land were allotted, according to the population of each of the tribes. Last week’s Torah Parsha (RE’EH) emphasized the importance […]