Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving is celebrated at the end of November in the United States. But how does that play out in the Bible, in Judaism and in Christianity?
Vayerah (And He Appeared) Genesis 18:1 – 22:24
God wanted one people to inherit His covenant with Abraham, one people to inherit the Land of Israel, one people to be His people, for eternity.
Lech Lecha (Go Forth) – Genesis 12:1 – 17:27
So begins this week’s Torah reading. And what a reading it is. If there was ever a “Zionist” Torah reading it’s this one. And each year, we are reminded that G-d chose Abraham out of all the people of the earth, and made him the father of our nation and the recipient of G-d’s promises for the Jewish people.
Noach (Noah) Genesis 6:9 – 11:32
This week, we read the story of Noah and the flood. “And these are the descendants of Noah, Noah was a righteous man, innocent he was in his generations.” (Genesis 6:9) Many commentators have questioned the use of the word generations – why the plural and why the addition of the word at all?
Bereisheet (In the Beginning) Genesis 1:1 – 6:8
We begin the cycle again. Last weekend we celebrated Simchat Torah and read the final chapters of Deuteronomy with special ceremony. We then proceeded to read the first chapter of Genesis, as a way of saying that the Torah never ends, but every ending includes with it a new beginning.
VaYelech (And He (Moses) Went) – Deuteronomy 30:21 – 31:30
Thousands gathered at the Western Wall, the closest we could get to where the Temple once stood, and the President of Israel, then Chaim Herzog, read aloud from the Torah. It was indeed an awesome experience.
Nitzavim (Standing) – Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20
This week’s portion includes Moses’ last speech to the nation before the final poem that is Chapter 32 and the blessings in Chapter 33. Chapter 30 is often referred to as the “Return” chapter, including, as it does, references to both a physical and spiritual return to God and the Land of Israel. But a close examination of the verses in this chapter reveals a confusing sequence of events.
Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur
Thanks to centuries of muddled translations and misunderstandings, the meaning and traditions of these sacred days have so often been lost. But in this month’s episode of Facing the Divide we will try and clarify it all for you.
Va’etchanan (And I Beseeched) Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11
The Torah portion is uplifting as well. For in this week’s portion, we read the Ten Commandments, as repeated by Moses in Deuteronomy. For this section of the Torah reading the entire congregation stands, as if to relive that incredible experience at Mt. Sinaiso many centuries ago.
Vayakhel (Gathered) – Exodus 35:1 – 38:20
A simple structure constructed of volunteered items easily found in ordinary households, the Tabernacle represents the very essence of human freedom and equality.