Dive into the Hebrew Bible with insights into its stories, teachings, and timeless relevance. Explore key passages, themes, and interpretations that have shaped Jewish belief, ethics, and spiritual life for generations.
Blessings – short prayers known as brachot in Hebrew – are a simple yet powerful, ancient Jewish tradition that allows us to add holiness to our daily lives. Judaism gives us countless opportunities to express gratitude for both the everyday and the extraordinary, with these timeless blessings that are more than mere words – they open a spiritual portal to
Archeologists have recently discovered a small yet exciting artifact in the Land of Israel: a tiny folded tablet believed to date back to around 1200 BCE or earlier, containing curses and God’s name written in lead on the inside in an early form of the Hebrew script. It’s been dubbed a “curse amulet,” and its […]
During Rosh Hashanah 2021, we welcomed the beginning of the Hebrew year 5782. While it may feel like just another year, 5782 is a big deal in the Land of Israel — it is a shmita year. What does shmita mean? How does this affect Jewish communities outside of Israel? Where does this shmita thing […]
When it comes to the topic of Anointing Oils in Judaism, many of us have a lot of questions, which is understandable considering all the confusion and controversy surrounding the subject. That’s why we decided to do a bit of digging so we could get some answers! However, before we start, please keep in mind […]
Torah Portion Vaetchanan in a Nutshell Name: Vaetchanan (Va’etchanan) Reading: Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11 Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1 – 40:26 Parashat Vaetchanan Summary Moses Continues his Final Speech Overlooking the Rover Jordan, Moses continues his final speech to the Israelites. He tells them that he begged God to allow him to see the […]
Torah Portion Devarim in a Nutshell Name: Devarim Reading: Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22 Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1 – 1:27 Parashat Devarim Summary Moses Addresses the People Moses reminds the people that God has given them Canaan. He tells them that God has made them a multitudinous, blessed people. He reminds them that God […]
Torah Portion Matot-Masei in a Nutshell Name: Matot-Masei Reading: Matot: Numbers 30:2 – 32:42; Masei: Numbers 33:1 – 36:13 Double Parasha Parashat Matot-Masei Summary The Laws of Vows Any man who makes a vow must fulfil his promise. Women must too, unless her husband stops her, in which case God will forgive […]
Torah Portion Pinchas in a Nutshell Name: Pinchas Reading: Numbers 25:10 – 30:1 Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1 – 2:3 Parashat Pinchas Summary God Rewards Pinhas God decides to reward Pinchas for maintaining His presence in the Israelites’ camp. He gives him a covenant of peace, and eternal priesthood. Moses Takes a Census God […]
Torah Portion Balak in a Nutshell Name: Balak Reading: Numbers 22:2 – 25:9 Haftarah: Micah 5:6 – 6:8 Parashat Balak Summary After the deaths of Aaron and Miriam, Moses leads the Israelites forward to Canaan. They battle against local enemies on the journey, and God helps them win every time. The king […]
Torah Portion Chukat in a Nutshell Name: Chukat Reading: Numbers 19:1 – 22:1 Haftarah: Judges 11:1 – 11:33 Parashat Chukat Summary The Red Heifer God tells Moses about a purification process to cleanse people who have come into contact with a dead body. They must find a blemish-free, pure red cow who […]
Torah Portion Korach in a Nutshell Name: Korach Reading: Numbers 16:1 – 18:32 Haftarah: Samuel I 11:14 – 12:22 Parashat Korach Summary Korach is Swallowed into the Earth A Levite called Korach, together with men from the tribe of Reuben – Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On, the son […]
Torah Portion Shelach in a Nutshell Name: Shelach (or Sh’lach) Reading: Numbers 13:1 – 15:41 Haftarah: Joshua 2:1 – 2:24 Parashat Shelach Summary The 12 Spies Go to Canaan God tells Moses to send 12 men to spy out the land of Canaan. Moses sends the leader of each of the 12 […]
Torah Portion Beha’alotcha in a Nutshell Name: Beha’alotcha Reading: Numbers 8:1 – 12:16 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 – 4:7 Parashat Beha’alotcha Summary Purifying the Levites: God tells Moses to command Aaron to light the menorah, a beaten gold candelabra decorated with flowers in a pattern that God had shown Moses. God tells Moses […]
Torah Portion Nasso in a Nutshell Name: Nasso Reading: Numbers 4:21 – 7:89 Haftarah: Judges 13:2 – 13:25 Parashat Nasso Summary Roles for the Levites God assigns special roles for the Levites. The Gershonites will carry the curtains and hangings. The Merarites will carry the pillars and boards. (The other roles were […]
Torah Portion Bamidbar in a Nutshell Name: Bamidbar Reading: Numbers 1:1 – 4:20 Haftarah: Hosea 2:1 – 2:22 Parashat Bamidbar Summary Taking a Census God tells Moses to take a census of the male Israelites according to their paternal families. They must count those eligible for war: males ages 20 and up. […]