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 »
In advance of Mitzvah Day on Sunday, January 18, we’re hosting a book drive for the Maryland Book Bank! Please bring any and all types of books (children and adult) to the lobby between now and January 18. The Maryland Book Bank does not accept CDs, DVDs, magazines, encyclopedia sets, or textbooks more than five Continue Reading »
Parashat: Vayechi Genesis 47:28–50:26 So [Israel] blessed them that day, saying, “By you shall Israel invoke blessings, saying: God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.” Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. — Genesis 48:20 As we come to the conclusion of the book of Genesis, we find Jacob (now Israel) on his deathbed, preparing to Continue Reading »
Parashat: Vayigash Torah Reading: Genesis 44:18–47:27 “’For how can I [Judah] go home to my father without the lad [Benjamin], and thus see the harm my father will suffer?’” — Genesis 44:34 These are the final words of Judah’s soliloquy to the man he thought was only Pharoah’s Number 2, rather than his brother, Joseph. Continue Reading »
Parashat: Miketz Torah Reading: Numbers 7:24–35 “So B’nei Yisrael (the sons of Israel) came to purchase (grain) in the midst of all of the others who had come to purchase, for there was famine throughout the land of Canaan.” — Genesis 42:5 In this week’s parshah, Miketz, for the very first time we find the Continue Reading »
Temple Isaiah’s Adult Study Retreat April 24–26, 2026 at Bon Secours Retreat Center Join clergy and educators from Temple Isaiah for a spiritually enriching weekend of Shabbat celebration, learning, and community. Our theme, inspired by the week’s Torah portion, explores the mitzvah that lies at the (literal!) center of the Torah: Love Your Neighbor as Continue Reading »