Torah Portions
“God is the sun, Torah is the seed, and we are the soil."
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel God in Search of Man
"According to Rabbinic understanding, the final mitzvah in the entire Torah is the commandment to write Torah down. In Jewish law, this task is not given just to kings or other leaders. Every Jew must write a scroll. Inheriting a scroll is not good enough. Individual Jews must create, internalize, and reproduce Divine Instruction. The goal is not more scrolls, but more people in whose countenance and deeds Torah can be read.
– Rabbi Debra Orenstein
Wisdom by the Week
Genesis בְּרֵאשִׁית
Doubt, Parshat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43)
Right or Righteous? Parshat Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23)
Matriarchs and Patriarchs, an essay from the Etz Hayim Humash
Exodus שְׁמוֹת
Living Torah, Parshat Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1)
Magic or Miracle? Parashat Vaera (Exodus 6:2-9:35)
Lessons of the Season, Parshat Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)/Tu B'Shevat
Who's Speaking, Please? Parshat Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)
Saying "Amen" to Life, Parshat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)
What Is Valuable? Parshat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)
In A Word - or Less, Parshat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)
Leviticus וַיִּקְרָא
Can Purity Last? Parshat Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)
Why Keep Kosher? Parshat Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)
Holy Boundaries, Parshat Ahre Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30)
The Paradox of Holiness, Parshat Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1-20:27)
What It Takes, Parshat Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23)
One Law Period, Parshat Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23).
Counting Confessions, Parshat Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23).
Contingencies, Parshat Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3-27:34)
Numbers בְּמִדְבַּר
In the Wilderness, Parshat Bemidbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20)
Old Stories, Parshat Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89)
Spying The Future, Parshat Shelach Lecha (Numbers 13:1-15:41)
We Are Well Able, Parshat Shelach Lecha (Numbers 13:1-15:41)
Ritual's Mysteries, Parshat Chukat, (Numbers 22:2-25:9)
Righteous Indignation, Parshat Pinchas (Numbers 25:1-30:1)
Deuteronomy דְּבָרִים
Are We There Yet? Parshat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1;1-3:22)
But Who's Complaining? Parshat Vaetchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11)
Blessing Management, Parshat Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25)
Getting Ready, Parshat Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25)
Ready for Judgement? Parshat Re'eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)
Look here! Look,hear, Parashat Re'eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)
A Spiritual Checklist, Parshat Re'eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)
On Your Guard, Parshat Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9)
Connecting the Dots, Parshat Ki Teitzei (Deuteronmy 21:10-25:19)
Blessings Over Curses, Parshat Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8)
Teshuvah and Weight Loss, Parshat Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20)
Getting Ready for the Holidays, Parshat Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20)