by Shannon Smith | Jun 29, 2026 | News from the Land, Newsletters
If you are following the news coming out of Israel, you probably know that the country is heading once again toward another election. And once again, one of the central issues dividing Israeli society is the question of military service and the drafting of men in...
by Kim Troup | Oct 18, 2024 | Shabbat Shalom
Sukkot – Exodus 33:12 – 34:16 This week is the holiday of Succot, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the middle of Sukkot falls on Shabbat, so once again the regular Torah reading is suspended and a special portion for the...
by Kim Troup | Sep 21, 2023 | Shabbat Shalom
Our past holds the key to understanding the present This week we read the Song of Moses, one of Moses’ final speeches to the Children of Israel before his death. The only other words Moses speaks to the nation after this are the words of blessing in Deuteronomy...
by Kim Troup | Aug 31, 2023 | Shabbat Shalom
First Fruits of the Land of Israel This week’s portion opens with the ceremony of first fruits that is performed in the Temple, after the Children of Israel have entered the Land of Israel. When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an...
by Kim Troup | Aug 24, 2023 | Shabbat Shalom
Slavery from a Biblical Perspective This weeks Torah portion includes the largest number of commandments of any other weekly portion. Beginning with Chapter 21 verse 10 and proceeding through Chapter 25, verse after verse is filled with situations and the rules of...
