July 28, 2010

Torah Online

July and August 2010

View Schedule of Shabbat Services >>


Ekev - Shabbat, July 31, 2010/ 20 Av 5770

Moses tells the people that if they obey God’s commandments, God will keep the covenant made with their ancestors, blessing them with abundant harvests and herds, protecting them from illness, and dislodging their enemies. Moses tells them that they will have to destroy all remnants of idolatry once they enter the land. Moses reminds the people of how God sustained them during their wanderings. He describes the richness of the land they are about to enter, warning them not to forget the source of their abundance. When they have eaten their fill, they are to give thanks to God for the good land God has given them. Once they have defeated their enemies, the Israelites should not think that they were victorious on their own merit; rather, their enemies were dispossessed from the land by God because of their wickedness. Moses reminds the people of how they had rebelled against God in the past, especially the incident of the Golden Calf, and of how he interceded on their behalf with God. Moses then tell the people: God demands of you only that you revere God, walk in God’s paths, love God and serve God with all your heart and soul. If the people will follow God’s commandments, God will bring rain in its season and will provide grass for their cattle. Moses urges the people to write God’s words upon their hearts, to bind them as a sign upon their hands and as a symbol on their foreheads. They are to inscribe them on their doorposts and to teach them to their children. If they do these things, no enemy will be able to stand up against them.



Re’eh– Shabbat, August 7, 2010/ 27 Av 5770

The portion begins with Moses telling the Israelite that it is their choice whether their lives will be a blessing or a curse, all depending on whether they follow God’s commandments. Moses emphasizes that upon entering the land they must destroy all places of idol worship, warning them against those who seek to draw them into idolatry. Those who seek to lead the Israelites astray shall be put to death. God will designate a single place to which the Israelites are to bring all their offerings. Moses tells the people that they may eat meat, but must not consume the blood of the animal, which is to be poured upon the earth. Reminding the Israelites that they are a holy people, Moses instructs them not to harm their bodies or shave their heads when a loved one dies. He conveys God’s laws of which animals they may eat and which are forbidden to them and teaches them the laws related to the annual tithing which is that every third year, the entire tithe is to be given to the Levites. The year of release comes every seventh year, at which time, all debts are to be forgiven, Hebrew slaves are to be set free and they are to be given food to sustain them. Slaves who choose not to go free are to have their ears pierced with an awl as a sign that they have chosen to remain slaves forever. He urges all Israelites to care for the needy and reviews the laws related to the observance of the three festivals.



Shoftim - Shabbat, August 14, 2010/ 4 Elul 5770

Moses tells the people to appoint judges in all their settlements, who are to be impartial and accept no bribes, saying, “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” An individual may be sentenced to death only upon the testimony of at least two eye witnesses, and those witnesses shall be the first to execute punishment upon the convicted. Cases which are too difficult for the judges to decide shall be referred to a higher court of priests or judges. If, after entering the Promised Land, the people decide that they want to appoint a king, it must be one of God’s choosing, meeting certain criteria. Moses reminds the people of the inheritance of the Levites—not a land apportionment, but rather a compensation through a portion of the offerings of the people. He warns the people again copying forbidden religious practices of others and against following false prophets. He repeats the instruction that cities of refuge are to be set aside for those who commit unintentional homicide. We are reminded that at least two witnesses are necessary for establishing the sin of another, and that untruthful witnesses are subject to the punishment intended for the accused.

In battle, we must remember to have faith in God. Listed are those who are exempted from going to battle, and we must always try to make peace with a city before any attack. When a city has been conquered, women and children are not to be slain, but taken as prisoners. In addition, when laying siege to a city, there is respect for the earth; fruit-bearing trees are not to be cut down for weapons of destruction.



Ki Teitzei - Shabbat, August 21, 2010/ 11 Elul 5770

This portion contains a series of laws related to the treatment of female captives, the firstborn of the Israelites, rebellious children the disposition of the body of one who has been put to death, dealing with lost animals and the requirement of wearing fringes (tzitzit) upon the corners of one’s garments. There is instruction about dealing with adultery, escaped slaves and the process of divorce. Employers are to pay their workers on the same day as the work is performed; one should leave some of a harvest in the field for the needy. There is further instruction about punishments for various crimes and about the obligation of one brother to marry his brother’s childless widow so as to have a child in his brother’s name, continuing his lineage. People must use fair weights and measures in their business dealings. The portion concludes with an admonition from Moses reminding the people of how Amalek attached the weak and weary during the Exodus from Egypt, telling them to “Blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!”



Ki Tavo - Shabbat, August 28, 2010/ 18 Elul 5770

Moses instructs the Israelites on bringing of the first fruits of their harvests, and on tithings to be made in the third year. In doing so, they ask for God’s blessing upon the people and upon the land. The Israelites are told that after they cross the Jordan River, they are to set up large stones on Mount Eval upon which to write God’s commandments and to build an altar there to offer burnt offerings to God. Representatives of six tribes are to stand upon Mount Gerizim while shouting blessings to the people while representatives of the other six tribes are to stand upon Mount Eval while curses are shouted out. Moses lists the series of curses and then the series of blessings. Moses reminds the people of all the wonders they have seen God perform and urges them therefore to observe the covenant with God, that they may prosper.