Tag: Torah sparks by Rabbi Schell
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Parashat KiTavo: Embedding in the past
In Ki Tavo the Israelites are commanded to bring their first fruits as an offering: “When you come into the land that the Eternal your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the…
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Parashat Ki Teitzei: A fall back upon for wisdom and guidance.
Our parashah this week, “Ki Teitzei”, offers us yet another opportunity to be inspired by Moses’ review of what God demands of our ancestors in order that they fulfil their national destiny to become a holy people, a Godly people. This parashah is distinguished as delineating the largest concentration of commandments of any portion; 74…
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The pursuit of justice is critical and of central concern for any society
The pursuit of justice is one of the most frequently repeated concerns, and not only of the Torah, but of Jewish tradition. Any society, so the teaching, is to pursue justice in dealing with social, political, and international matters. In addition, Jewish tradition teaches, “speak up for those who are silent, for the rights of…
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Parashat Re’eh: We should preoccupy ourselves with what is right in front of us
Our Torah reading for this week is found in the middle section of Moses’ parting sermons to the Israelites before his death and their entry into Canaan. In the opening readings of the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses has concerned himself with a fundamental review of the journey to the Promised Land. His sermons are filled…
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Parashat Ekev
Deuteronomy 7.12 – 11.25 Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3Parashat Ekev continues the speeches of Moses to the Israelites. He tells them, if they maintain their covenant with God by observing all the commandments, God will make them fruitful and victorious over their enemies. Reminding them of their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, Moses tells them: “God…
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Parashat Va’etchanan
Moses looks at the Promised Land by the banks of the river Jordan, and continues his final speech to the Israelites before he dies. He pleads with God to allow him to enter the Land of Israel, but he is refused. Once again Moses stresses to the Israelites the importance of keeping God’s commandments when…
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Parashat Devarim: Words like bees
Parashat Devarim, Deuteronomy Chapter 1:1-3:22 (Plaut p.1161; Hertz p.736) Haftarah Isaiah 1:1-27 (Plaut p.1180; Hertz p.750)Words have always had a central place in Judaism. As Jews, we have understood that words have real power: words create – words destroy – words are holy. The Torah begins with words being the tools of creation – paired…
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Torah Comment: Mattot-Massei
Once a month students from the Bet David Introduction to Judaism Course (ITJ) will write for the Ad Kan.Yola Tome’s contribution: Parashat Mattot speaks of making a vow to the Lord. Whether woman or man you are bound to your vow made to the Lord. The parashat goes on to speak of the Israelites fighting…
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Abuse – do not remain silent (Parashat Tzav)
This evening, I am not going to share with you some regular thoughts on our Torah portion of this Shabbat. We will learn more about it tomorrow morning, especially from our Bat Mitzvah Jessica.What I would like to share with you is a deep impression I have made this week at a seminar that was…
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Torah Comment Parashat Vayikra
Leviticus 1:1-5:26 (Reading Lev. 5:5–5:26 Plaut p.660; Hertz p.410)Haftarah for Shabbat Ha Chodesh: Ezekiel 45:16-25 (Plaut p.1457; Hertz p.1001)This Shabbat we start with the reading of the third book of the Torah, called Leviticus, or in our Jewish tradition Vayikra (And he called). The very first parashah of the book, also named Vayikra, launches the…
