Parashat: Mishpatim Torah Reading: Exodus 21:1–24:18 “You shall not wrong or oppress a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” — Exodus 22:20 Of the Torah concepts incorporated into what it means to be a believing, observant Jew in the modern world, this concept rises to the top alongside very few other Continue Reading »
Parashat: Yitro Torah Reading: Genesis 23:1–25:18 “But Moses’ father in-law said to him, ‘The thing you are doing is not good; you will surely wear yourself out and these people as well. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.’” — Exodus 18:18–19 Approximately six weeks ago, most of us Continue Reading »
Parashat: Beshallach Torah reading: Exodus 13:17–17:16 And Moses took with him the bones of Joseph, who had exacted an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will be sure to take notice of you: then you shall carry up my bones from here with you.” — Exodus 13:19 This week’s Torah portion, most well Continue Reading »
Parashat: Bo Torah Reading: Exodus 10:1–13:16 “This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months of the year for you” — Exodus 12:2 The medieval commentator Rashi asked rhetorically why the Torah did not start with this verse, as this is the first commandment Continue Reading »
Parashat: Vaera Torah Reading: Exodus 6:2–9:35 “But Pharaoh’s heart stiffened and he would not heed them, as the Lord had spoken.” — Exodus 8:15 Time and again, in the course of this and next week’s Torah portions, we see the imagery of Pharaoh’s heart hardening or stiffening — all of this despite the escalating suffering Continue Reading »
Parashat: Shemot Torah Reading: Exodus 1:1–6:1 “The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw how beautiful he was, she hid him for three months.” — Exodus 2:2 There are moments in life so good and so beautiful that we want to rush out and shout them from the rooftops, sharing them with Continue Reading »