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Eikev – עֵקֶב (Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Eikev – עֵקֶב (Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25)

וַאֲהַבְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הַגֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־גֵרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

Therefore, you shall love the stranger, for strangers were you in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:19)

In describing the incredible, awe-inspiring nature of God, we are reminded that God “makes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the stranger…therefore you shall love the stranger…” If God loves the stranger, then all the more so we are to love the strangers in our midst. According to the Torah, we cannot truly love and worship God if we do not first love the stranger in our midst.

Parsha Eikev – עֵקֶב Torah Summary:

Moses tells the Israelites that if they follow God’s laws, the nations who now dwell across the Jordan River will not harm them. (7:12–26) Moses reminds the people of the virtues of keeping God’s commandments. He also tells them that they will dispossess those who now live in the Land only because they are idolatrous, not because the Israelites are uncommonly virtuous. Thereupon, Moses reviews all of the trespasses of the Israelites against God. (8:1–10:11) Moses says that the Land of Israel will overflow with milk and honey if the people obey God’s commandments and teach them to their children. (10:12–11:25) Eikev – עֵקֶב וַאֲהַבְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הַגֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־גֵרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃ Therefore, you shall love the stranger, for strangers were you in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:19) In describing the incredible, awe-inspiring nature of God, we are reminded that God “makes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the stranger…therefore you shall love the stranger…” If God loves the stranger, then all the more so we are to love the strangers in our midst. According to the Torah, we cannot truly love and worship God if we do not first love the stranger in our midst. Eikev – עֵקֶב

Va-et’chanan – וָאֶתְחַנַּן (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Va-et’chanan – וָאֶתְחַנַּן (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11)

שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ אֶחָֽד׃

Listen, O Israel! Adonai is our God, Adonai is Oneness. (Deuteronomy 6:4)

The Sh’ma in the Torah is written with two letters that are larger than the rest, and if we put them together, we get the word ‘eid, which means “witness.” The Torah teaches us that listening and holding space can be the most transformative and intimate things we can do. When we truly listen to someone and hold space for them, as we would for God, that is where the Oneness of God dwells.

Parsha Va-et’chanan – וָאֶתְחַנַּן Torah Summary:

Moses pleads with God to let him enter the Land of Israel with the people, but God once more refuses his request. (3:23–28) Moses orders the Children of Israel to pay attention and follow the laws given by God in order to be worthy of the land they are about to receive. (4:1–40) Specific areas of the land are set aside to serve as cities of refuge. (4:41–43) The covenant at Sinai and the Ten Commandments are recalled. Once again, the people are exhorted to heed God’s commandments. (5:1–30) Moses speaks the words of the Sh’ma, the credo of Judaism, and commands Israel to show their love for Adonai and keep God’s laws and ordinances. (6:1–25) Moses warns the people not to commit idolatry by worshiping the gods of the nations they will conquer in Israel. (7:1–11) Va-et’chanan – וָאֶתְחַנַּן שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ אֶחָֽד׃ Listen, O Israel! Adonai is our God, Adonai is Oneness. (Deuteronomy 6:4) The Sh’ma in the Torah is written with two letters that are larger than the rest, and if we put them together, we get the word ‘eid, which means “witness.” The Torah teaches us that listening and holding space can be the most transformative and intimate things we can do. When we truly listen to someone and hold space for them, as we would for God, that is where the Oneness of God dwells.

D’varim – דְבָרִים (Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: D’varim – דְבָרִים (Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22)

“These are the words that Moses addressed to all Israel” (Deuteronomy 1:1)

Moses now addresses our people and speaks through an entire book. Yet, this is the same person that 40 years ago, said to God, I am not a person of words.

What happened during those 40 years?

Why are we chained by our fears and phobias? And can we overcome them, like Moses?

Parsha D’varim – דְבָרִים Torah Summary:

Moses begins his final words of instruction to the Children of Israel, focusing first on recounting their physical journey. (1:1–21) Moses reviews the people’s reactions to the negative reports of the spies and the appointment of Joshua to succeed him. (1:22–45) Moses recounts that all of the Israelite warriors who left Egypt died, as God had intended, and the people continued their wanderings and defeated their enemies. (2:14–3:11) Moses reiterates that the Land of Israel was allocated to the Israelite tribes. (3:12–22) D’varim – דְבָרִים “These are the words that Moses addressed to all Israel” (Deuteronomy 1:1) Moses now addresses our people and speaks through an entire book. Yet, this is the same person that 40 years ago, said to God, I am not a person of words. What happened during those 40 years? Why are we chained by our fears and phobias? And can we overcome them, like Moses?

Matot – Mas’ei – מַטּוֹת – מַסְעֵי (Numbers 30:2–36:13)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Matot – Mas’ei – מַטּוֹת – מַסְעֵי (Numbers 30:2–36:13)

“Shall your brothers to go to war while you stay here?” (Numbers 32:6).

Moses rebukes the tribes of Gad and Reuben, assuming they are planning not to fight alongside the other tribes. His words echo still today, with the fierce battle of Ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jews to be exempt from the national draft to the army, and in a way, to everyone who lets other people carry the burden and exempts themselves.

Parsha Matot – Mas’ei – מַטּוֹת – מַסְעֵי Torah Summary:

Moses explains to the Israelites the laws concerning vows made by men and women. (30:2—17) Israel wages war against the Midianites. (31:1—18) The laws regarding the spoils of war are outlined. (31:19—54) The tribes of Reuben and Gad are granted permission to stay on the east bank of the Jordan River. (32:1—42) The itinerary of the Israelites through the wilderness from Egypt to Jordan is delineated. (33:1-49) Moses tells Israel to remove the current inhabitants of the land that God will give them and to destroy their gods. (33:50-56) The boundaries of the Land of Israel are defined, along with those of the Levitical cities and the cities of refuge. (34:1-35:15) God makes a precise distinction between murder and manslaughter. (35:16-34) The laws of inheritance as they apply to Israelite women are delineated. (36:1-13) Matot – Mas’ei – מַטּוֹת – מַסְעֵי “Shall your brothers to go to war while you stay here?” (Numbers 32:6). Moses rebukes the tribes of Gad and Reuben, assuming they are planning not to fight alongside the other tribes. His words echo still today, with the fierce battle of Ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jews to be exempt from the national draft to the army, and in a way, to everyone who lets other people carry the burden and exempts themselves.

Pinchas – פִּינְחָס (Numbers 25:10−30:1)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Pinchas – פִּינְחָס (Numbers 25:10−30:1)

What kind of leader is the ideal leader?

Moses identified two qualities, and the Midrash expands them into three that remain essential for leaders to this day.

“Who shall go out before them and come in before them, and who shall take them out and bring them in, so that Adonai’s community may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.” (Numbers 27:17)

The most important quality is personal example.

The second – a leader has tolerance and respect for others, “tolerate each person according to their thoughts”. In other words, Moses is asking for a leader who can relate to all opinions.

And finally, a leader who shows compassion and empathy toward their people at many junctures of difficulty, of crisis, like Moses himself.

Parsha Pinchas – פִּינְחָס Torah Summary:

Pinchas is rewarded for killing the Israelite and the Midianite woman who cursed God. (25:10–15) Israel fights a war against the Midianites. (25:16-18) A second census is taken. (26:1–65) The daughters of Zelophehad force a change in the laws of property inheritance. (27:1–11) Joshua is chosen to be Moses’ successor. (27:15–23) The sacrificial ritual for all festival occasions is described in detail. (28:1–30:1) Pinchas – פִּינְחָס What kind of leader is the ideal leader? Moses identified two qualities, and the Midrash expands them into three that remain essential for leaders to this day. “Who shall go out before them and come in before them, and who shall take them out and bring them in, so that Adonai’s community may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.” (Numbers 27:17) The most important quality is personal example. The second – a leader has tolerance and respect for others, “tolerate each person according to their thoughts”. In other words, Moses is asking for a leader who can relate to all opinions. And finally, a leader who shows compassion and empathy toward their people at many junctures of difficulty, of crisis, like Moses himself.