WEEKLY TORAH REFLECTIONS

Archive

This series is based on the Jewish lectionary. Each week we read a portion (parashah) of the Torah followed by an accompanying reading (haftarah).

[Note: for the sake of simplicity the Torah portions below are linked with their usual haftarah readings and do not reflect haftarah variations due to special sabbaths as they arise in the Jewish calendar.]

 22 Oct 2011 Genesis 1:1-6:8 Issue #1 Parashat Bereshit

In previous years we took the creation stories of Genesis as the focus of our opening Torah portion. This year we take up the story of Cain and Abel in chapter 4, a tale of sibling rivalry which continues to resonate in our world today. Let's explore the narrative with the Jewish sages, with particular interest in the critical choice facing Cain. See "Light of Torah" (Issue #1).

 

Click on the study leaflet above, or read as a single page article here. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Isaiah 42:5-43:11.

 

  

29 Oct 2011 Genesis 6:9-11:32 Issue #2 Parashat Noah

In Noah's Ark, the rise of the flood waters finds dramatic telling through the technique of repetition. We explore this, plus a curious phrase referring to 'only Noah' in this week's Torah conversation with the sages. We conclude with 'Five ways to survive the storm'. See "Light of Torah" (Issue #2).

 

Click on the study leaflet above, or read as a single page article here. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Isaiah 54:1-55:5.

 

 

5 Nov 2011 Genesis 12:1-17:27 Issue #3 Parashat Lekh Lekha

Sarah, the great matriarch of the chosen people, is loved and revered in Jewish tradition. Yet this does not mean she is perfect or beyond critique. As we shall see this week, the rabbis make some tough judgements about her behaviour! Do you agree with their assessment? See "Light of Torah" (Issue #3).

 

Click on the study leaflet above, or read as a single page article here. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Isaiah 40:27 - 41:16.

 

 

12 Nov 2011 Genesis 18:1-22:24 Issue #4 Parashat Vayera

Exactly what was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah that led to their destruction? Join us as the Midrash reveal its surprises and challenges. We conclude we '5 ways to grow in havrutah.' See "Light of Torah" (Issue #4).

Click on the study leaflet above, or read as a single page article here. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is 2 Kings 4:1-37.

  

19 Nov 2011 Genesis 23:1-25:18 Issue #5 Parashat Hayei Sarah

The Hebrew title of our Torah portion is Hayei Sarah: 'the life of Sarah'. Yet, in the opening verses, Sarah dies! Already we have an intriguing question: how might the stories that follow Sarah's death be revealing of her life? In particular we explore Abraham's reaction to her death. See "Light of Torah" (Issue #5).

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is 1 Kings 1:1-31.

 

 

26 Nov 2011 Genesis 25:19-28:9 Issue #6 Parashat Toledot

Esau and Jacob: another set of warring brothers. This week we explore the events that lead up to the relational explosion in the household of Isaac and Rebekah.

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Malachi 1:1 - 2:7.

 

 

  

3 Dec 2011 Genesis 28:10-32:3 Issue #7 Parashat Vayetze

The Torah tells of Jacob's emotional response upon meeting Rachel at the well. Is it love at first sight, or is there something else going on?

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Hosea 12:13 - 14:10.

 

 

10 Dec 2011 Genesis 32:4-36:43 Issue #8 Parashat Vayishlah

The night before Jacob's reunion with his brother Esau, Jacob finds himself wrestling with a mysterious man. This is an important biblical moment for understanding Jewish identity, and therefore holds deep meaning for Christians as well.

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Hosea 11:7 - 12:12.

 

 

 

17 Dec 2011 Genesis 37:1 - 40:23 Issue #9 Parashat Vayeshev

In the midst of critical events that will shape salvation history, another mysterious 'man' appears in the biblical text, this time encountered by Joseph as he wanders the fields. Just who is this unnamed figure, and why does the Torah bother recording such a brief conversation?

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Amos 2:6 - 3:8.

 

 

24 Dec 2011 Genesis 41:1 - 44:17 Issue #10 Parashat Miketz

The dramatic reversal of Joseph's status - from slave to second in command under Pharaoh - seems to be the ultimate success story. But is there something a little unnerving about it all? Listen carefully to those foreboding rumblings in the Torah...

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is 1 Kings 3:15 - 4:1.

 

 

31 Dec 2011 Genesis 44:18 - 47:27 Issue #11 Parashat Vayigash

By now Joseph has been living in Egypt, in a position of power and comfort, for many years. Why did he never attempt to contact his beloved father during all that time? And why does Judah's speech have such a dramatic impact on him?

 Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Ezekiel 37:15-28.

 

 

7 Jan 2012 Genesis 47:28 - 50:26 Issue #12 Parashat Vayechi

On his deathbed the elderly Jacob farewells Joseph and goes to bless his two grandsons. But wait! Joseph sees that something isn't quite right about the blessing and moves swiftly to intervene...

 Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is 1 Kings 2:1-12.

 

14 Jan 2012 Exodus 1:1 - 6:1 Issue #13 Parashat Shemot

As we begin the Book of Exodus we join the sages in exploring Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush. Is this simply God's 'shock tactic' to attract Moses' attention, or is it part of the divine message itself?

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Isaiah 26:1-28:13; 29:22-23. 

 

21 Jan 2012 Exodus 6:2 - 9:35 Issue #14 Parashat Vaera

In the battle between God and Pharaoh, our Torah portion makes repeated reference to Pharaoh's 'hardened' heart. With the Jewish sages we especially puzzle over the text where it says 'The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh' (9:12). Why would the Lord want to harden anyone's heart?

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21.

 

28 Jan 2012 Exodus 10:1 - 13:16 Issue #15 Parashat Bo

At last. The Israelites leave Egypt as a free people. But they do not leave empty-handed. Join the sages in asking why they leave with Egyptian possessions - at the consent of the Egyptians no less!

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Jeremiah 46:13-28.

 

4 Feb 2012 Exodus 13:17 - 17:16 Issue #16 Parashat Beshalach

Following a miraculous rescue at the Red Sea the Israelites' wilderness trek has begun. But are they ready to embrace their freedom? And is Moses ready for the long-term leadership task?

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Judges 4:4 - 5:31.

 

11 Feb 2012 Exodus 18:1 - 20:26 Issue #17 Parashat Yitro

Encamped at Mt Sinai, Moses and the Israelites prepare to receive God's Torah ('teaching, instruction, law'). As we shall see, there is much more to the 'Ten Commandments' than simply ten commandments!

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Isaiah 6:1 - 7:6; 9:5-6.

 

18 Feb 2012 Exodus 21:1 - 24:18 Issue #18 Parashat Mishpatim

How does one prioritize the giving of charity? When my finite resources cannot reach every suffering, how do I choose where to focus my resources? This week we join the sages in exploring this question via an ancient legal text in the Torah.  

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26.

 

 

25 Feb 2012 Exodus 25:1 - 27:19 Issue #19 Parashat Terumah

The Israelites set about building the Tabernacle, a portable shrine which will signify the Lord's presence among his people as they move through the wilderness. In the details of the construction the sages interpret the importance of the gift and role of each person in the community.  

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is 1 Kings 5:26 - 6:13.

 

 

3 March 2012 Exodus 27:20 - 30:10 Issue #20 Parashat Tetzaveh

Join us in pondering the significance of the wilderness Tabernacle through Jewish eyes.  

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is Ezekiel 43:10-27.

 

 

10 March 2012 Exodus 30:11 - 34:35 Issue #21 Parashat Ki Tisa

What can we learn from the radiance in the face of Moses as he descends from Mount Sinai?  

Click on the study leaflet above. Or read as a single-page article. Or listen to a 5min podcast. This week's haftarah reading is 1 Kings 18:1-39.