When it comes to food God exclusively and quickly weighs in with the first humans on the sustenance of all creatures; all were positively assigned the seeded plant and fruit produce, and “the green plants” on earth (Genesis 1:29).
Is it any wonder why Jonah is such a popular story that reminds many of their own way of thinking? How we use this story for upgrading the quality of our spiritual living is everybody’s challenge and sacred destination.
Moses, so it seems, lost at once his due special respect, if not the adulation the people gave him as their leader (see Exodus 14:31b), and they did not seek him out anymore.
The actual reason for reading Genesis 21 (on the first day of Rosh Hashanah) is to inform us about the miraculous, though certainly not immaculate…, conception of Isaac that according to tradition happened on this day. The bulk of the chapter, however, is dedicated to the forced departure of Hagar and Ishmael from Abraham's domicile.
Though she gave birth to several children P'ninah -- Hannah's co-wife -- taunted her for Hannah remained Elkanah's beloved. P’ninah's taunting is reminiscent of Hagar, who upon her quickly-becoming-pregnant exhibited an arrogant attitude towards Sara, her mistress, at whose demand Abraham took Hagar as a wife for progeny.
Numerous curses and horrific imprecations are listed in this weekly Torah portion, Ki Tavo, destined for those who do not heed the voice of God and observe the divine laws. Nevertheless no specific transgressions that would entail those terrible comeuppances are spelled out here except: ‘’…not having served the Lord your God in joy and with a good heart…’’ (Deuteronomy 28:47).
What is the connection between this week’s Torah portion's permission to Israelites, soldiers in a war zone to abduct an enemy female woman and God’s permission to Noah (following the end of the flood) to kill animals for food?
we FIRST ought ourselves to forgive others -- when they sincerely own up to their misconduct -- before expecting others and God to do so as well for us when we confess ours.
Evidently, this week’s Re’eh portion wants to regulate and minimize the craving for frequent meat consumption seeking to limit it to the rate ‘’as the deer or as the gazelle is eaten’’ (v. 22). Namely, only quite infrequently would man eat meat from such animals for they could only be hunted.
This weekly Torah portion Ekev calls upon us to walk in all God’s ’’ways, and to cleave unto Him’’ (Deuteronomy 11: 22). But how is it possible to do so if only because ‘’God is a devouring fire, a jealous God’’ (Deuteronomy 4:24)?