Vezot HaBerachah (Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12)

Vezot HaBerachah (Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12)

This week, we finish our year-long march through the Torah. We have followed the Jewish reading calendar throughout the entire year, without fail, and now we have arrived at the last two chapters of Deuteronomy. In synagogues, as soon as the final words of Deuteronomy...
Ha’azinu (Deuteronomy 32)

Ha’azinu (Deuteronomy 32)

This week’s Torah Portion covers Deuteronomy 32:1–52. This is our second-to-last reading in Deuteronomy, which means we are almost to the finish line in our goal to read the first five books of the Bible in one year. The portions are getting shorter each week because...
Bible Fiber: Are shofars in the Bible?

Bible Fiber: Are shofars in the Bible?

This week, we are taking a brief pause from our regular Torah reading portion. This Friday evening and Saturday mark the eve and celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Because of the festival, synagogues around the world set aside the regular weekly...
Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8)

Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8)

This week’s Torah portion covers Deuteronomy 26:1 to 29:8. It takes its name, Ki Tavo, from its opening Hebrew words, which mean “When you come” or “When you enter.” The commandments that follow are for when Israel crosses the Jordan River, takes possession of the...
Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17)

Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17)

This week’s Torah portion covers Deuteronomy 11:26 to 16:17. The Torah portion is called Re’eh, which is the imperative to look. It begins, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse” (11:26). Until now, many of the laws of the covenant have seemed...