ABRAHAM’S TENT | Week #44 Ki Teitzei: Sustainable Living through Torah
This week we move from Justice of people to how we are to care for the planet. The portion is called “Ki Teitzei” or “When you go (forth)” (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19).
ABRAHAM’S TENT | Week #43 Softim: Justice, Inside and Out
In this week’s portion we look at Justice and Judges or Softim in Hebrew (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9). In the last weeks we have looked at how we as individuals should apply the Torah in Eikev and how we are to see the evidence of that application in Re’eh. This week we now move to the communal …
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ABRAHAM’S TENT: The Talmud: Is it “adding and taking away” from the Torah?
I would like to take this time to speak about the Talmud; the oral tradition of Judaism. Now, before you stick your fingers in your eyes (ears) and yell “lalalalalalala” in response to this article, I ask you to take the time and read this and think about it.
ABRAHAM’S TENT | Week #42 – Re’eh: “See” Your Full Potential
This week’s portion is the second of two that speaks to our generation. The first was last week’s “Eikev” (if we follow): how we put the Commandments into actions of compassion and mercy. This week we “Re’eh” (To See): to judge what we perceive in the world by the Torah (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17).
ABRAHAM’S TENT | Week #41 Eikev: Circumcise Your Heart
This week’s portion is called Eikev, which means “If you follow” in Hebrew (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25). This portion is the second week of the seven weeks of consolation.
ABRAHAM’S TENT | Week #40 VA’ETCHANAN: Imploring to G-D
This week ends the three weeks of mourning, and begins the first of seven weeks of consolation toward the New Year of the Lunar calendar (Rosh HaShannah). This week’s portion is called Va’eschanan “I implored” (to G-D) in Hebrew (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11). This begins with Moses explaining that he implored G-D to reconsider letting Moses not …
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ABRAHAM’S TENT | Week #39 Devarim: The Retelling
This week we begin the book of Deuteronomy or Devarim in Hebrew (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22).
ABRAHAM’S TENT | Week #38 Mattos-Masei: Leading the Journeys
This week we conclude the book of Numbers. These two portions are called “Mattos and Masei” which translates “Leaders of the Tribes” and “Journeys” (Numbers 30:2-36:13). These readings are during a period of the Jewish calendar that we remember the three weeks that brought about the destruction of the Temple (Tisha B’Av), both the First …
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ABRAHAM’S TENT | Week #37 Pinchas: Justice in a Just place.
This week’s portion is named after the third High Priest and grandson of Aaron, Pinchas/Phineas (Numbers 25:10-30:1). After Balaam failed to curse the Israelites, Balaam offered one last option to King Balak – to convince the Israelites to curse themselves (Numb. 25:1-3). It worked – the men of Israel were smitten by the Moabite Temple …
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ABRAHAM’S TENT | Week #36 Balak: a Prophet For Profit
This portion of the Torah is called “Balak,” after the king who sent a Gentile prophet to curse Bnei Israel (Numbers 22:2-25:9). Now usually portions of the books of Moses are named in honor of the person or their family. King Balak hires to curse Bnei Israel not with a priest of a false idol, …
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