Weekly Torah Reading

Genesis 37:1-40:23 His Father’s Icon   Joseph, whose early life is the focus of this week’s reading, got off to a rocky start. The favorite son of his father Jacob, he seems to have been quite an obnoxious young man. …

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Genesis 37:1-40:23 His Father’s Icon   Joseph, whose early life is the focus of this week’s reading, got off to a rocky start. The favorite son of his father Jacob, he seems to have been quite an obnoxious young man. …

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Genesis 32: 4  – 36: 43 The Ten Percent Solution   On the eve of his return to the land of Canaan, Jacob learned that his brother Esau, who had previously vowed to kill him, was now on his way …

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Genesis 25:19 – 28:9   A Common Theme   The three encounters between Jacob and Esau in this week’s reading seem to contain a common message. Their first meeting takes place even before they come out of their mother’s womb …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Shemini ‘Atzeret/ Simḥat Torah, October 7, 2023 Two for One   Within the land of Israel, the end of the seven-day Sukkot festival is followed by a special, one-day festival, Shemini ‘Atzeret, the “Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly.” But since Jews living outside …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Shemini ‘Atzeret/ Simḥat Torah, October 7, 2023 Two for One   Within the land of Israel, the end of the seven-day Sukkot festival is followed by a special, one-day festival, Shemini ‘Atzeret, the “Eighth Day of Solemn …

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Deuteronomy 32:1-52 Changing Direction   This Shabbat’s Torah reading consists of Moses’ farewell song, known in Hebrew by its first word Ha’azinu (“Give ear!”). In it, Moses recounts Israel’s prior history, starting back in “days of yore,” when things were …

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Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20 The Day of Revelation   Symmetry is such a beautiful thing. First you say this, then you say that—and it’s as if the very act of speaking is inviting us to express ourselves in matching pairs. “Easy come, …

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