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...
Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12−11:25)

Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12−11:25)

This week’s Torah portion is called Eikev, and it covers Deuteronomy 7:12 to 11:25. The name Eikev translates to “because” or “as a consequence of.” Much of its message is about the cause-and-effect relationship between Israel’s obedience and God’s blessings and her...
Va’etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11)

Va’etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11)

This week’s Torah portion covers Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11. It is called Va’etchanan, which translates to “I pleaded,” because it begins with Moses pleading with God for permission to cross the Jordan River. Deuteronomy 3:22–25 records Moses saying: At that time, I...
Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22)

Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22)

We have finally made it to the last book of the Torah. Deuteronomy is Moses’s magnum opus, his farewell speeches to the people he has led out of Egypt and into the wilderness. They are finally at the cusp of entering the promised land, and what Moses and everyone with...
Phinehas (Num 25:10–30:1)

Phinehas (Num 25:10–30:1)

This week’s Torah portion covers Numbers 25:10–30:1, and it is titled Pinchas. Phinehas is the name used in English Bibles, so that’s the name I will use in this podcast. Phinehas was a prominent biblical priest whose leadership started in the wilderness wanderings...
Chukat-Balak (Number 19:1–25:9)

Chukat-Balak (Number 19:1–25:9)

This week we are reading a double Torah portion: Chukat and Balak. It covers Numbers 19:1–25:9. Together, these two portions mark a major turning point in the book of Numbers. The older generation that left Egypt has almost entirely passed away in the wilderness. Now,...