by Kim Troup | Aug 10, 2023 | Shabbat Shalom
Rejecting False Prophets This week’s portion includes a number of laws pertaining to people who exert an undue influence over others in order to sway them away from obeying God’s commandments. The first refers to a false prophet, the second to an individual who...
by Kim Troup | Aug 3, 2023 | Shabbat Shalom
Resisting Canaanite Influence This week’s portion is part of Moses’ second long speech to the nation, referred to as the speech of the commandments. It includes a great deal of instruction, both with regard to specific commandments and with regard to the...
by Kim Troup | Jul 20, 2023 | Shabbat Shalom
The Promise of Redemption after Exile In this portion we begin the final book of the Five Books of Moses, the Book of Deuteronomy. The Children of Israel are in the final weeks or months before their entrance into the Land of Israel. Moses is approaching the final...
by Kim Troup | Jul 6, 2023 | Shabbat Shalom
Passing on the Leadership “And G-d said to Moses, Go up to this Mt. Avarim and see the land that I have given to the Children of Israel.” (Numbers 27:12-23) So begins a moving dialogue between G-d and Moses towards the end of Moses’ life....
by Kim Troup | Jun 29, 2023 | Shabbat Shalom
The Family is the Foundation of Israel The story of Balaam and his desire to curse the children of Israel is a fabulous one. At the request of Balak, King of Moab, he tries to curse Israel, but at each opportunity, G-d prevents him from doing so. Finally, without a...
