The Awe of Torah Study
This week’s Torah portion, V’zot HaB’racha, recounts the final minutes of Moses’ life. Moses has led the people from slavery to freedom and now, in his last moments, he will offer blessings to the assembled Israelite nation.
Cantor Evan Kent
The Eternal Embrace of Song
On the last day of his life, Moses sings a song to the gathered Israelites. For thirty-one chapters in Deuteronomy, Moses has told the Israelites how to behave, what God expects from them, and how to lead a life filled with blessing and absent of curses. With his final breath, Moses teaches with song.
From Washington Heights to Jerusalem
This week’s Torah portion, Nitzavim, which is read on the Shabbat preceding Rosh HaShanah, is filled with images of awe, covenant, and an awareness of our place in the chain of generational continuity. The words of this portion so illuminate and magnify the High Holiday liturgy that they are heard
From Temple Sacrifices to High Holiday Rituals
This week’s portion, Ki Tavo, is read on the Saturday morning before Selichot, the late-night service that ushers in the High Holidays.
The Power of Collective Memory
This week’s Torah portion, Ki Teitzei, contains 72 of the 613 commandments. We read of laws regarding the taking captives, how to deal with a rebellious son, laws specific to the burying of the dead, whom you cannot marry, and laws of divorce.