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The Responsibility of Influence Parashat Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8) Parashat Ki Tavo is so named because of its open verse, which says, “When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it …” (Deuteronomy 26:1). The words ki tavo mean “when you come.” Thus, this parashah is focused on the responsibility of the Children of Israel when they arrive in the land promised to them by Hashem. The first few paragraphs address bringing the bikkurim, the first fruits of the land to the LORD and the ceremony surrounding this procedure. After this Hashem gives Israel a reminder of their responsibility as a people who are consecrated to the LORD: read more »	Restoring the Lost Parashat Ki Tetze (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19) Parashat Ki Tetze contains a plethora of laws ranging from managing the spoils of war to sexual immorality to fulfilling vows and oaths. Our focus will be on the responsibility of guarding a lost object. At the beginning of chapter 22 we read: You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother. And if he does not live near you and you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it. Then you shall restore it to him. And you shall do the same with his donkey or with his garment, or with any lost thing of your brother's, which he loses and you find; you may not ignore it. (Deuteronomy 22:1–3) read more »
Love And War, And Everything In Between Parashat Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9) We’ve all heard the familiar expression, “All is fair in love and war.” But according to the Torah, this is not a true statement. According to the Torah, both love and war have parameters attached to them. The Torah specifically instructs us in the manner we are to “love the LORD your God” in multiple places. It tells us the “how” of loving a God who is beyond human logic. For instance, we are told that loving God includes: keeping His commandments (Deuteronomy 10:12–13; 11:1); teaching His instructions to our children (Deuteronomy 6:7); not heeding false prophets (Deuteronomy 13:3); loving and caring for the stranger, the orphan, and the widow (Exodus 22:21–22); bringing to the LORD the first fruits of our grain, wine, and oil within the land of Israel (Numbers 18:12); etc. Another expression of our love for God can be found in this week’s portion: read more »	Signs & Wonders Parashat Re'eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17) In our day a large number of Yeshua’s followers find affinity with the charismatic movement, particularly among those in the Messianic or Hebrew Roots movements. It seems the reasoning behind this attraction is that they are seeking to recapture the power demonstrated by Yeshua’s earliest followers. After all, Yeshua promised power to his disciples upon their receiving the Holy Spirit after his ascension. He told his disciples: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (Acts 1:8) read more »
The Making of a New Man Parashat Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25) Righteousness & wickedness: two terms that seem to be cut & dry. But are they really? Is each person held to the exact same standard? Is the standard, “One Law For All?” It would seem that way, but maybe it isn't as black and white as it appears? Does that sound… blasphemous? Then you might want to hang around and see what’s in store, in this week’s 5 Minute Torah… read more »	No Religious Discounts Parashat Va'etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) I don’t know about you, but I’m a bargain shopper. I love to find the discounts whenever I can. It can be a fun challenge and every penny we save with our large family adds up. But some people are much more serious bargain shoppers than I am. They don’t buy anything without a discount, and if they can’t find the discount they are looking for they will haggle with the merchant until they can get the item marked down to some degree or another. And while that level of tenacity can be appreciated in some ways when it comes to shopping, when we try to apply this instinct to religious practice it can actually work against us. read more »

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