Category: Thought of the week
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Thought of the week
As we begin the Torah anew with Parashat Bereshit, we are reminded of the very first moments of creation, light emerging from darkness, order from chaos, and life taking form from the void. The story of Bereshit is not only a narrative of how the world began, it is also a call to each of…
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Thought of the week
This week’s parashah, Ha’azinu, brings us to the penultimate reading of the Torah, a poetic song of Moshe filled with imagery, rebuke, and hope. Standing on the threshold of the Promised Land, Moshe delivers words that speak both of Israel’s past failings and its enduring covenant with HaShem. He reminds the people that even when…
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Thought of the week
Parashat Vayeilech – Shabbat Shuvah This week we read Parashat Vayeilech, one of the shortest portions in the Torah, yet one filled with depth and power. Moshe, now 120 years old, prepares to take his leave from the people of Israel. He assures them that though he will not lead them into the Promised Land,…
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Thought of the week
This week we read Parashat Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20), in which Moses gathers the entire people of Israel—men, women, children, and even the strangers in their midst—to reaffirm the covenant with HaShem. The message is one of unity and responsibility: each person, no matter their status, is bound together in the destiny of our people. Moses…
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Thought of the week
Parashat Ki Tavo – Blessings and Challenges This week we read Ki Tavo, a parashah that speaks about entering the Land of Israel and the responsibilities that come with it. The Israelites are instructed to bring their first fruits to the Temple, offering them in gratitude to G-d and declaring the story of their people:…
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Thought of the week
This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9), a section that speaks deeply to the foundations of justice, leadership, and moral responsibility. Shoftim begins with the command to appoint judges and officials in every city, emphasising the timeless principle: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof – Justice, justice shall you pursue.” It sets out guidelines for fair courts, the…
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Thought of the week
This week we read Parashat Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17). The opening words are striking: “See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse.” The Torah reminds us that life constantly places choices before us, between the path of blessing and the path of curse, between compassion and indifference, between faith and doubt. For our mishpachah in…
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Thought of the week
This Shabbat we read Parashat Eikev, where Moshe continues his heartfelt address to the Israelites, reminding them that the blessings of the Land and the abundance they will enjoy are directly linked to their faithfulness in observing the mitzvot. He cautions them against the danger of complacency when life is good, warning that forgetting the…
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Thought of the week
This week’s Torah reading, Parashat Vaetchanan, brings us some of the most foundational texts in Judaism: the Shema and the Ten Commandments. These verses call us to love HaShem “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might”—a commandment that speaks not only of personal devotion, but of a fierce and…
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Thought of the week
This week, we begin the final book of the Torah: Devarim (Deuteronomy). In it, Moshe Rabbeinu delivers his farewell address to the Israelites, recounting their journey and the challenges faced in the wilderness. He does not shy away from speaking honestly about the people’s failures and the consequences that followed—but he also offers hope, guidance,…