by Rabbi Margie Cella
This short parashah is always read on the Shabbat preceding Rosh Hashanah.
Moses has called the entire nation together as he concludes his final speech to them. The men of Israel,...
by Rabbi Margie Cella
This parashah contains both curses and blessings. Curses will be suffered by those who choose not to obey the commandments. Conversely, observance of the commandments will bring abundant...
by Rabbi Margie Cella
This parashah includes 74 mitzvot, more than any other in the Torah. There are commandments relating to marriage and divorce, laws of inheritance, treatment of animals, and interpersonal...
by Rabbi Margie Cella
The first word of this parashah, shoftim, means “judges.” Much is said about the judicial system of Israel here, beginning with the command for the people to appoint judges and magistrates...
by Rabbi Margie Cella
Moses continues to address the nation, reminding them of what God expects of them when they enter the land. They are warned against worshipping foreign gods and reminded that they...
by Rabbi Margie Cella
Moses continues his discourse to the nation as they are poised to enter the promised land, reminding them of all the blessings God will bestow on them if they keep the covenant, as...
by Rabbi Margie Cella
In this week’s parashah, Moses recounts his pleading with God in vain to cross over into the Promised Land, only to be told to go to the top of the mountain, to view the land that...
by Rabbi Margie Cella
This parasha begins the fifth and final book of the Torah. The events described here take place in the 40th year after leaving Egypt: Israel is poised to finally enter the promised...
by Rabbi Margie Cella
This week’s double parashah concludes the book of Numbers. The nation of Israel prepared to take possession of Canaan. The tribes of Reuven and Gad and the half-tribe of Manassah...
by Rabbi Margie Cella
Following a plague brought on by idolatry and immorality was stayed by the decisive actions of Eleazer’s son Pinchas, God commanded Moshe and Eleazer to take a census of all the [fighting]...
