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.

This week’s Torah portion is the beginning of the end of the wilderness wanderings.  We read about the death of Miriam (Num. 20:1) and Aaron (Num. 20:28).  We also read the story of Moses’ action which prohibited him from entering the land (Num. 20:2–12).

A recurring theme in the career of Moses as leader of Israel is his loyal love toward the Israelites. We read about his frustration and dissatisfaction, but also about his amazing intercession for the people.

This week, our Torah portion tells the story of the decision of the Israelites to rebel against the Lord and refuse to move forward to possess the land of Canaan.

Years ago, I worked at a Bible-based residential drug treatment center located on the site of a former Catholic boarding school. One day, a man from the neighborhood showed up at my office and asked if he could talk with me.

This week’s Torah portion contains the famous verse that Yeshua quotes as the second most important commandment.

We could say that in our Torah portion this week "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" for Aaron.

I hope that you are having a rich celebration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

This week there is a special Shabbat. In addition to its being the weekly day of rest, it is the Shabbat before Passover.

The portion for this week is the beginning of the Book of Leviticus, which describes the responsibility of the Israelites in bringing a. . .

The Book of Exodus ends with the completion of the tabernacle and the presence of God dwelling among the people.

This week’s Torah portion opens with a reminder of the command to observe Shabbat.

This week our Torah portion describes the sin of the golden calf and its aftermath.

Our Torah portion this week is a description of the “contributions” for the Tabernacle.

This week our Torah portion relates the Torah, as Moses received it, to the people.

This week the Torah portion describes the people of Israel meeting with God and receiving the Ten Commandments.

This week our Torah portion describes the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea and follows the children of Israel to Mt. Sinai.

Grandchildren are great! I am blessed with five granddaughters and one grandson. When I think about them, I wonder what they will be like wh