Beshalach (Exodus 13:17–17:16)
This week’s portion is Beshalach (Exodus 13:17–17:16), which translates to “when he sent.” The name comes from the opening verse: “When Pharaoh let the people go...” (13:17). After ten rounds of increasingly destructive plagues, Pharaoh finally agreed to release the...
Bo (Exodus 10:1–13:16)
This week’s Torah portion, Bo, covers Exodus 10:1 to 13:16. The narrative intensity hits its peak here. The last three of the ten plagues descend on Egypt: locusts devour the crops, impenetrable darkness shrouds the land, and finally, the firstborns of every Egyptian...
Va’era (Exodus 6:2–9:35)
This week’s Torah portion covers Exodus 6:2-9:35. It is called Va’era, which means “and I appeared,” the first words spoken to Moses in the text. In Va’era, the story of the Exodus begins. Plagues hit the Egyptians in full force. Pharaoh knew the names of many false...
Shemot (Exodus 1:1–6:1)
This week’s Torah portion is called Shemot (Exodus 1:1–6:1) which in Hebrew means “names." Genesis closed with the descendants of Jacob living in the land of Egypt, waiting out the period of famine that had overtaken the region. What started as a temporary move turned...
Vayechi (Genesis 47:28–50:26)
This week’s Torah portion Vayechi covers Genesis 47:28–50:26. These are the last chapters of Genesis and the final moments of the era of the patriarchs. It is a biblical pivot point. While Genesis covered the personal lives and divine encounters of Abraham, Isaac, and...
Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27)
As we follow the Jewish reading calendar, we arrive at this week’s Torah portion, called Vayigash (Genesis 44:18–47:27) which means “and he drew near.” It is the climax of the Joseph cycle, when he reveals himself to his brothers, who assumed he was long dead. For...
Miketz (Genesis 41:1–44:17)
The Hebrew title of this week’s Torah portion is Miketz, which translates to “at the end,” and it covers Genesis 41:1 to 44:17. After two years, Joseph’s long season of suffering is almost over. This portion chronicles his meteoric rise from prisoner to the Pharaoh’s...
Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1–40:23)
Bible Fiber is taking a one-year sprint through the foundational narratives of the first five books of the Bible, the Torah. As we follow the weekly Jewish reading calendar, we arrive at this week’s Torah portion, called Vayeshev, which covers Genesis 37:1–40:23. Once...
Vayishlah (Genesis 32:4-36:43)
Bible Fiber is doing a one-year sprint through the foundational narratives of the first five books of the Bible, the Torah. As we follow the weekly Jewish reading calendar, we arrive at this week’s Torah portion, called Vayishlah, which means “and he sent.” The...
Vayetzei (Genesis 28:10–32:3)
This portion covers Genesis 28:10−32:3. It is a pivotal 20-year period in the life of Jacob. He goes from being a deceptive momma’s boy fleeing the understandable wrath of his brother Esau to the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Subscribe to Bible Fiber on...