In the famous story of Noah’s Ark, God destroys all the people and creatures on Earth via a massive flood, sparing only Noah and his family and the animals they took with them in their ark. Noah was warned of the Earth’s impending destruction and instructed to build a giant wooden ark, along with precise […]
The Torah begins with the story of the Creation of the world – the chapter and book known as Bereishit or Genesis. God creates the Heavens and the Earth, and each day adds something new, from vegetation to celestial bodies to fish, birds, and animals, until concluding on the sixth day with the forming of […]
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. […]
Torah Portion Behar-Bechukotai in a Nutshell Name: Behar-Bechukotai Reading: Behar: Leviticus 25:1-26:2; Bechukotai: Leviticus 26:3-27:34 Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 Double Parsha! Parashat Behar-Bechukotai Summary Shmitta and Yovel God speaks to Moses from Mount Sinai. He tells him to command the Israelites that when they arrive in Israel, the land must keep a Sabbath. […]
Torah Portion Emor in a Nutshell Name: Emor Reading: Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15 – 44:31 Parashat Emor Summary Special Laws for Priests God tells Moses to speak to the priests regarding special laws for them. They are not to be near dead bodies except for immediate family: mother, father, […]