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.
Torah Portion Vayechi in a Nutshell Name: Vayechi Reading: Genesis 47:28 – 50:26 Haftarah: Kings I 2:1- 2:12 Parashat Vayechi Summary Jacob Prepares to Die Jacob realizes that he’s close to death, so calls Joseph to him. He asks his son to bury him with his fathers in Canaan and not in […]
Torah Portion Vayigash in a Nutshell Name: Vayigash Reading: Genesis 44:18 – 47:27 Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15 – 37:28 Parashat Vayigash Summary Preface: Joseph’s silver goblet has just been recovered in Benjamin’s bag. Joseph commands the brothers to leave and decrees that Benjamin must remain behind as a slave. Judah Begs Joseph Judah […]
Torah Portion Miketz in a Nutshell Name: Miketz Reading: Genesis 41:1 – 44:17 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 – 4:7 Parashat Miketz Summary Pharoah’s Dreams Two years after Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharoah’s butler and baker, the King of Egypt dreams that he is standing by a river. Seven healthy, fat cows come […]
Torah Portion Vayeshev in a Nutshell Name: Vayeshev Reading: Genesis 37:1 – 40:23 Haftarah: Amos 2:6 – 3:8 Parashat Vayeshev Summary Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors Joseph, aged 17, is tending the sheep with his brothers. He takes bad reports of them to their father. He is Jacob’s favorite child and Jacob gave him […]
Torah Portion Vayishlach in a Nutshell Name: Vayishlach Reading: Genesis 32:4 – 36:43 Haftarah: Obadiah 1:1 – 1:21 Parashat Vayishlach Summary Jacob Sends Gifts to Esau Jacob sends word to Esau in Seir that he has left Laban and is now a prosperous man. The messengers return and tell Jacob that Esau […]
Torah Portion Toldot in a Nutshell Name: Toldot Reading: Genesis 25:19 – 28:9 Haftara: Samuel 1 20:18 – 20:42 Parashat Toldot Summary Rebecca is Pregnant with Twins 40-year-old Isaac marries Rebecca, who is barren. He entreats God for children, and Rebecca conceives. She asks God why her children struggle inside her; He replies […]
Torah Portion Chayei Sarah in a Nutshell Name: Chayei Sarah (The Life of Sarah) Reading: Genesis 23:1 – 25:18 Haftara: Kings 1 1:1 – 1:31 Parashat Chayei Sarah Summary Abraham Buys the Cave of the Patriarchs Aged 127, Sarah dies in Kiryat Arba (which the Bible says is Hebron). Abraham asks the […]
Torah Portion Vayera in a Nutshell Name: Vayera Reading: Genesis 18:1 – 22:24 Haftara: Kings 2 4:1 – 4:37 Parashat Vayera Summary Abraham and the Angels Abraham sees three travelers in the desert. He runs to greet them and offers them water to wash their feet and bread to eat. The men […]
Torah Portion Lech Lecha in a Nutshell Name: Lech Lecha Reading: Genesis 12:1 – 17:27 Haftara: Isaiah 40:27- 41:16 Parashat Lech Lecha Summary God tells Abraham to leave Haran God appears to a 75-year-old Abram and tells him to leave his home for a land that He will show him, and promises […]
Torah Portion Noach in a Nutshell Name: Noach (Noah) Reading: Genesis 6:9 – 11:32 Haftara: Isaiah 66:1 – 66:24 Parashat Noach Summary God Commands Noah to Build the Ark God sees how corrupt the world has become, and tells Noah that he is going to destroy the earth by flood. God commands […]
Torah Portion Bereishit in a Nutshell Name: Bereishit (Bereshit) Reading: Genesis 1:1 – 6:8 Haftarah Reading: Isaiah 42:5 – 43:10 Parashat Bereishit Summary Creation of the World God creates the whole world in six days. Day One: light and dark, which He names day and night Day Two: a separation between the […]
The Paleo-Hebrew script dates back to at least 1000 BCE, and has been found in archeological excavations all over the Land of Israel. It is also believed to be the original script of the Bible, and is the direct ancestor of the modern Hebrew script.
The tallit (prayer shawl) is one of the most recognizable sights when it comes to Judaica, and some women in the last few decades felt that it should not only be reserved for men. Since the latter half of the 20th century, people have expressed opinions of all kinds, and many artists have produced modern, […]