by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2023 | Korach
This portion deals primarily with the rebellion of the eponymous Korah and his followers against the authority of Moses and Aaron. A cousin to the leading brothers, Korah protests Moses’s concentration of power in the family, insisting the entire nation is holy. Only...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2023 | Shelach
This week’s portion focuses primarily on the Sin of the Spies, which results in God’s decree that the Israelites must wander in the desert for forty years instead of entering the land of Israel directly. It also includes details regarding a number of laws, such as the...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2023 | Beha'alotcha
This busy portion contains a number of legal and technical details, as well as stories. We are told of the Levites’ appointment as assistants to the priestly service and the celebration of Passover in the desert after the exodus. The preparations and arrangements for...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2023 | Naso
The portion of Nasso is the longest single portion in the Torah (the combined portions of Matot-Masei, when they are read together, is longer). It continues listing the responsibilities of the various families of Levites which began in Bamidbar. From there, it...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2023 | Bamidbar
The portion of Bamidbar is the first in the book of Numbers, and opens it with a census. It has been a year since the people left Egypt, and the Tabernacle is entering its operational stage. The camp needs to be arranged around it. God orders a census of the people be...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 27, 2022 | Matot
“The Bible doesn’t make any sense.” Dan was trying to get me angry, or at least get my attention. We go back a long way and meet for lunch every month. Dan likes to debate so we talk about everything under the sun. Over the years, I have gotten more religious and he...
