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Va-et’chanan (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11)

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

Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.
Hear O Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is One.

(Deuteronomy 6:4)

In the Torah scroll, in every Torah scroll, the Shema is written in a unique and special way. The last letter of the first word, (which is an ayin) and the last letter of the last word (which is a dalet) are written larger than all the other letters in the text. We are not sure when or why this tradition for writing the letters of the Shema first began, perhaps simply to draw attention to these essential Jewish words on the Oneness of God. But why these particular letters? Because together these two letters form the word eid, which means “witness.”

The Shema teaches us that being a witness to the Oneness of God means doing the things, and being the people, that demonstrate God’s presence in the world.

Parsha Va-et’chanan 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)

D’varim (Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22)

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

“Moses began to expound this Torah.” (Deuteronomy 1:5)

While still within the five books of the Torah, we see Moses giving commentary on the words of the Torah.

Since the days of Moses until our time, it is up to us, it is our duty, to insure that the Torah remains relevant to our lives by continuing to explore and study it and make the teachings and laws of the Torah meaningful for our lives.

Parsha D’varim 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)“Moses began to expound this Torah.” (Deuteronomy 1:5) While still within the five books of the Torah, we see Moses giving commentary on the words of the Torah. Since the days of Moses until our time, it is up to us, it is our duty, to insure that the Torah remains relevant to our lives by continuing to explore and study it and make the teachings and laws of the Torah meaningful for our lives.

Parsha D’varim 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)

Matot – Mas-ei (Numbers 30:2–36:13)

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

We end the 4th book of the Torah with two Torah portions.

The end of the book is a summary of all the wanderings in the wilderness and also an acknowledgment that we will soon enter the Promised Land; however, Moses will not enter with us.

The greatest leader we ever had will not get to cross the Jordan with us and enter the land.

From Moses, we learn that not all our prayers can be answered. We always need to desire and want more, knowing that not everything we want to achieve in our lives and not everything we wish for will be answered.

Parsha Matot – Mas-ei 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)

Pinchas (Numbers 25:10−30:1)

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

Numbers 27:1 “The daughters of Zelophehad came forward….the names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.”

Five courageous women stand before the entire people of Israel, before Moses and Aaron and all the leadership, and all 600,000 men, and they speak. They demand justice.

They stand together demanding justice, teaching us that when you know you are right, you need to stand up for yourself; teaching us when you do the right thing, you sometimes make the world better.

God makes their demand into law. Midrash and Rashi tell us that Moses wrote the entire Torah, except for this page. This page was written by the daughters of Zelophehad.

Parsha Pinchas 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)

Numbers 27:1 “The daughters of Zelophehad came forward….the names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.”

Five courageous women stand before the entire people of Israel, before Moses and Aaron and all the leadership, and all 600,000 men, and they speak. They demand justice.

They stand together demanding justice, teaching us that when you know you are right, you need to stand up for yourself; teaching us when you do the right thing, you sometimes make the world better.

God makes their demand into law. Midrash and Rashi tell us that Moses wrote the entire Torah, except for this page. This page was written by the daughters of Zelophehad.

Chukat – Balak (Numbers 19:1−22:1, 22:2−25:9)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Chukat – Balak (Numbers 19:1−22:1, 22:2−25:9)

Our Haftorah is from Micah. The following verse is part of the beautiful tapestry that hangs in front of the Waller Chapel at The Temple:

“God has told you, human being, what is good:
and what does Adonai demand from you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God”

(Micah 6: 8)

Micah is answering the people that claim that they are following what God demands from us. They are keeping all the rituals and observing all the cultic parts of our tradition.

Micah tells us that Adonai demands more than that from us! Adonai, first and foremost, wants us to behave with Justice, compassion, and mercy towards our fellow humans.

Parsha Chukat – Balak Summary:

The laws of the red heifer to purify a person who has had contact with a corpse are given. (19:1-22) The people arrive at the wilderness of Zin. Miriam dies and is buried there. (20:1) The people complain that they have no water. Moses strikes the rock to get water for them. God tells Moses and Aaron they will not enter the Land of Israel. (20:2-13) The king of Edom refuses to let the Children of Israel pass through his land. After Aaron’s priestly garments are given to his son Eleazer, Aaron dies. (20:14-29) After they are punished for complaining about the lack of bread and water, the Israelites repent and are victorious in battle against the Amorites and the people of Bashan, whose lands they capture. (21:4-22:1) Balak, the king of Moab, persuades the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites so that he can defeat them and drive them out of the region. However, Balaam blesses the Children of Israel instead and prophesies that Israel’s enemies will be defeated. (22:2-24:25) God punishes the Israelites with a plague for consorting with the Moabite women and their god. The plague is stayed after Pinchas kills an Israelite man and his Midianite woman. (25:1-9)

Korach (Numbers 16:1−18:32)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Korach (Numbers 16:1−18:32)

“And Korach took…” (Numbers 16:1)

What did Korach take?

This week’s Torah Portion opens with a sentence that seems grammatically incorrect. It is missing the object of the sentence. “Korach” is the subject of the sentence, “took” is the verb, and the object, the thing Korach took, well that is simply missing.

So, what did Korach take?

From the rest of this story we know that Korach led 250 of the elders of Israel in a revolt against Moses and Aaron. Korach took it upon himself, to claim leadership of the Children of Israel. Korach took the position that since was of the tribe of Levi, he had the same lineage as Moses and Aaron, and the same right to lead. Korach took with him 250 leaders of the people who supported him in this revolt. Then Korach and his followers took the sacred fire pans of the tabernacle and offered up an incense offering unto God.

And God was incensed, that Korach would take all this just to elevate himself, to gain power over the Children of Israel, and to rebel against God’s chosen leaders: Moses and Aaron. So God said: “Take this,” and the earth opened up and swallowed Korach and all of his followers.

It is a strange tale which begins with a strangely missing word, but the lesson of Korach seems clear: Power and leadership are not simply there for the taking – they must be earned, and they must be shared – for the good of all the people, and in the service of the God of us all.

Parsha Summary:

K and his followers, Dathan and Abiram, lead a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God punishes the rebels by burying them and their families alive. Once again, God brings a plague on the people. (16:1-17:15) The chief of each tribe deposits his staff inside the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s staff brings forth sprouts, produces blossoms, and bears almonds. (17:16-26) The Kohanim and Levites are established and assigned the responsibility of managing the donations to the Sanctuary. All of the firstborn offerings shall go to the priests and all the tithes are designated for the Levites in return for the services they perform. (18:1-32)

Parsha Summary:

K and his followers, Dathan and Abiram, lead a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God punishes the rebels by burying them and their families alive. Once again, God brings a plague on the people. (16:1-17:15) The chief of each tribe deposits his staff inside the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s staff brings forth sprouts, produces blossoms, and bears almonds. (17:16-26) The Kohanim and Levites are established and assigned the responsibility of managing the donations to the Sanctuary. All of the firstborn offerings shall go to the priests and all the tithes are designated for the Levites in return for the services they perform. (18:1-32)

Shelach Lecha (Numbers 13:1−15:41)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Shelach Lecha (Numbers 13:1−15:41)

In this week’s Torah portion Shelach Lecha Moses sends forth scouts to search out the Promised Land and bring back a report. They return and say it is a good and bountiful land, but they fear that they will be unable to conquer and possess it. 

“We saw giants there — the Anakites are like giants — and we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them” (Num. 13:33). 

But here is the question: The spies know how they look to themselves, small and weak, but how do they know what the looked like to the people of the land?

The rabbis struggle with that until one comes upon this verse from Proverbs 27:19 — “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of a person reflects the person.” And The mystical Rabbi Moshe Alshich (1508–1593) observes: “Because the hearts are as mirrors.”

How we see others is a reflection not so much of them, but of ourselves. When we view another human being as somehow “other,” somehow less than the image of God which is found within us all, it diminishes that spark of the Divine not in them but in ourselves. 

We are all the children of the living God, when we see that reflection of God in everyone we meet we truly become a holy people and a light unto the nations of the world. 

Shelach Lecha Summary:

Moses sends twelve spies to the Land of Israel to report on the inhabitants and the country. Despite the positive report of Joshua and Caleb, the people are frightened. (13:1–14:10) God threatens to wipe out the Children of Israel but relents when Moses intercedes on their behalf. To punish the people, God announces that all those who left Egypt would not enter the Land of Israel except for Joshua and Caleb. (14:11–45) Moses instructs the Israelites regarding setting aside challah, the observance of the Sabbath, how to treat strangers, and the laws of tzitzit. (15:1–41)

B’haalot’cha (Numbers 8:1−12:16)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’haalot’cha (Numbers 8:1−12:16)

Hidden within this week’s Torah portion, B’haalot’cha, lies a tiny blessing set apart in a way found nowhere else in the Torah. Bracketed on either side by two upside down Hebrew-letter nuns we find a tiny, two verse prayer that asks God for help in overcoming the obstacles we face along our journey through the wilderness in search of our Promised Land. It reads:

As the Ark journeyed forth, Moses would say:
“Rise up Adonai, let Your enemies scatter, and Your foes flee before You!”

And when the Ark came to rest, he would say:
“Come back Adonai to Israel’s teeming myriads.” (Numbers 10:35-36)

We say just such a prayer in our prayerbook still today. It reads:

Standing on the parted shores of history
we still believe what we were taught
before ever we stood at Sinai’s foot;

that wherever we go, it is eternally Egypt
that there is a better place, a promised land;
that the winding way to that promise
passes through the wilderness.

That there is no way to get from here to there
except by joining hands and marching
together.

May we travel forth in safety on our journey to the promised land, May we settle their together in a world of justice and of peace.

B’haalot’cha Summary:

God speaks to Moses, describing the menorah for the Tent of Meeting. The Levites are appointed to serve as assistants under Aaron and his sons. (8:1-26) Those who are unable to celebrate Passover during Nisan are given a time in the month of Sivan to observe a “second Passover.” (9:1-14) A cloud by day and fire by night show God’s Presence over the Tabernacle. When the cloud lifts from the Tabernacle, the people leave Sinai, setting out on their journey, tribe by tribe. (9:15-10:36) The Israelites complain about the lack of meat, and Moses becomes frustrated. God tells him to appoint a council of elders. God provides the people with meat and then strikes them with a very severe plague. (11:1-34) Miriam and Aaron talk about the “Cushite woman” whom Moses has married. In addition, they complain that God speaks not only through Moses but also through them. Miriam is struck with leprosy, and Moses begs God to heal her. After her recovery, the people resume their journey. (12:1-16)

Naso II (Numbers 6:1-7:89)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Naso II (Numbers 1:1−4:20)

This week’s Torah Portion contains some of the oldest words in Bible and the most beloved of blessings, the Priestly Benediction (Numbers 6:22-27):

May God bless you and keep you from harm,May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you,May God’s face be lifted unto you and grant you peace.

The power of this blessing, shared from the pulpit at the conclusion of services, over the heads of our children at Sabbath meal, at sacred moments in our lives, this power is real.

But this ultimate prayer for Shalom, for wholeness and peace, it is not so much magical as it is aspirational. We can’t make God bless us with peace by simply saying these words. A blessing is an expression of hope, and while hopes may begin by giving them words, peace can only come when we do the work of peace ourselves.We are partners with God in the building of a better world.

May the work of our hands be blessed,May the work of our hands bring blessing,May we all be blessed with God’s blessing of peace.

Naso II Summary:

The obligations of a nazirite vow are explained. They include abstaining from alcohol and not cutting one’s hair. (6:1-21) God tells Moses how to teach Aaron and his sons the Priestly Blessing. (6:22-27) Moses consecrates the Sanctuary, and the tribal chieftains bring offerings. Moses then speaks with God inside the Tent of Meeting. (7:1-89)

Shavuot

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This Week’s Torah Tidbit: Shavuot

On Shavuot  we Celebrate the giving of the Torah, the most wonderful gift God had gave us, God’s teaching. The Torah is what guides us and unites us as a community as a people. We left Egypt in order to receive the Torah – the teaching of Adonai.

The legend tells us that when God was ready to give us the Torah, and was all excited to begin the covenant relationship with the people of Israel, we were sleeping. This is why we stay awake late at night on the eve of Shavuot and study Torah. Happy Shavuot to us all.

Shavuot Summary:

God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite males over the age of twenty. (1:1-46) The duties of the Levites, who are not included in the census, are detailed. (1:47-51) Each tribe is assigned specific places in the camp around the Tabernacle. (1:52-2:34) The sons of Levi are counted and their responsibilities are set forth. (3:1-3:39) A census of the firstborn males is taken and a special redemption tax is levied on them. (3:40-51) God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the responsibilities of Aaron and his sons, and the duties assigned to the Kohathites. (4:1-20)

On Shavuot  we Celebrate the giving of the Torah, the most wonderful gift God had gave us, God’s teaching. The Torah is what guides us and unites us as a community as a people. We left Egypt in order to receive the Torah – the teaching of Adonai.

The legend tells us that when God was ready to give us the Torah, and was all excited to begin the covenant relationship with the people of Israel, we were sleeping. This is why we stay awake late at night on the eve of Shavuot and study Torah. Happy Shavuot to us all.