We are one week away from Rosh Hashanah. It is the season of repentance and restoration. It’s a time when we evaluate our lives and our relationship with God.

Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going with my life? Is God with me or against me? I remember all too well the years when those pressing questions had no answer.

Every year when we come to the beginning of Deuteronomy, we are also close to a Jewish observance called Tisha B'Av (the 9th of Av).

This week's Torah portion brings us to the end of Bamidbar, the Book of Numbers.  The children of Israel are preparing to enter the land as Moses recounts the history of the wilderness wanderings and the distribution of land.  In chapter 32, the tribes of Reuben and Gad ask Moses if they could settle on the east side of the Jordan without entering the land.

This week’s Torah portion is Pinchas (פִינְחָס). It covers Adonai’s covenant of shalom with Pinchas and his descendants, another census before entering the promised land, appointing Joshua as Moshe’s successor, Halakha (i.e., the way to walk) regarding inheritance, and a compiled check list for appointed sacrifices.

This week's Torah portion is aptly named after Balak, the king of Moab. It describes the interaction between this king and a pagan diviner and prophet named Balaam and his donkey.