Monthly Archives: August 2021

Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20)

Schools are opening.  The Pfizer vaccine is fully FDA-approved.  Delta variant COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are sky-rocketing, almost entirely among the unvaccinated.  Yet there are protests against mask mandates and vaccination requirements in the name of personal freedom. There are … Continue reading

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Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1 – 29:8)

(Mainly from 2009) We are deep into the month of Elul, a time for introspection and self-examination (cheshbon ha-nefesh, a personal accounting).  We are reminded of the approach of Rosh Hashanah by the blowing of the shofar every weekday.  In … Continue reading

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Ki Tetse (Deut. 21:10 – 25:19)

Last week, justice.  This week, law. Or rather, laws. About 6 dozen, according to Maimonides. Haven’t the Israelites been given enough laws already? Some of the ones in Ki Tetse have been given before or are really obvious, like returning … Continue reading

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Shoftim (Deut. 16:18 – 21:9)

As I look over what I’ve written before about Shoftim, I’m struck by how continually pertinent this Torah reading is. Last year, I wrote: “Shoftim is about justice, compassion, and building a caring society, as promoted and enforced by a … Continue reading

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Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17)

(2015) This week’s and the next two weeks’ Torah portions contain the bulk of the laws in Deuteronomy.  The overall theme in Re’eh is summarized in the first few verses, 11:26-28:  26 See, this day I set before you a blessing … Continue reading

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