weekly insights

In this reflection we explore rabbinic thought patterns and the insights of Jewish commentators concerning a single verse of Scripture:...

In Deuteronomy 21-24 we come across a number of laws that reflect a concern for the welfare of women. For example: “When a man has taken...

“If, in the land that the LORD your God is assigning you to possess, someone slain is found lying in the open, the identity of the slayer...

“If prophets or those who divine by dreams appear among you and promise you omens or portents, and the omens or the portents declared by...

In the Torah (Old/First Testament) we find repeated instances of the Israelites being warned to ‘remember’ and ‘observe;’ that is, to...

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is a passage that finds a central place in Jewish liturgy. The first verse constitutes a Jewish credal statement, known...

The opening verse of Deuteronomy reads, “These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel . . .” Words. What ‘words’? These are the...

“These were the marches of the Israelites…” Thus begins Numbers 33. This chapter reviews the travels of the Israelites from their...

In Numbers 27, the Israelites are close to entering the promised land. God prepares Moses for his death, reminding him that he is not to...

Numbers 22-24 tells the story of a pagan king (Balak) who commissions a magician (Balaam) to curse the people of Israel. Despite his best...

In the Israelites’ wilderness journey, Moses and his two siblings, Aaron and Miriam, play a critical leadership role. The Book of Numbers...

Tomorrow, in Australia, Catholics enter the Second Assembly of the Plenary Council (3-9 July 2022). It is a significant period of...

The story of the scouts (or ‘spies’) in the book of Numbers (13:1-14:45) provides intriguing insights into the workings of community, of...

In order to assist Moses in the heavy task of leadership, the Lord instructs him (in Numbers 11:16-30) to gather seventy elders around...

Enjoy this video conversation between Jewish Educator Abe Schwarz and Catholic Scripture scholar Professor Mary Coloe pbvm, as they talk...

This weekend, at sundown on 4 June 2022, Jewish communities commence the Jewish festival of Shavuot. Meanwhile, many Christians...

In the Book of Leviticus we read: If you follow my statutes and keep my commandments and observe them faithfully, I will give you your...

“The Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai: Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: When you enter the land that I assign to you, the...

"Holiness" is a familiar word, yet its meaning is complex and multi-layered. Leviticus 19 invites us to reflect on what it means to "be...

In both Jewish and Christian understandings, true freedom comes through living life in sync with the desires and designs of God for...