Posts Tagged Torah Commentary

The title of the parashah, "Eikev," is often translated as “because.” The first thing I thought of upon reading this title was the response that adults give to children when asked why children are expected to perform some action or duty related to safety or necessity.

The first thing that stands out to me when reading Va-et'chanan is Moses’ evolution from faith to absolute confidence in God.

We get a double portion of Torah this week, comprised of the portions Matot and Mas'ei, and bringing us to the final stage of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land.

As a cantor, I have sat with families after an elderly parent or relative has died and seen their frustration and struggles when the relative has made no preparations for the end of their life.

Balak, the Moabite king, has a problem: the Israelites are encamped nearby, and he's nervous about enemies on his doorstep. He's got an army, but to secure his advantage he calls in a specialist, the star of this week's portion: Balaam the Sorcerer.

Our lived experience refutes the theory that sinners are punished and good people rewarded. Bad people sometimes succeed, good people face hardship, and most of us live somewhere in between, trying our best to live good lives, occasionally messing up and dealing with the consequences. This week's portion, Chukat, helps us imagine what we might do when those consequences are heavier than we expect - or deserve.

The namesake of this week's portion, Korach, is a troublemaker. Moses has barely led the people past the crisis of faith incited by the scouts when Korach, along with 250 community leaders, rises up in rebellion against Moses and Aaron's leadership.

Although we have an entire book and a half of the Torah left, the Israelites have already arrived at the border of the Promised Land as we start this week's portion, Sh'lach L'cha.

Mere steps into their journey to the Promised Land, the Israelites have already had enough. They're tired of the divine manna and want meat.