Dvar Torah

In this week’s Parsha, Parashat Toldot, we learn that Rivka and Yitzhak had no children for twenty years. They prayed to G-d to conceive a child. Eventually, their prayers were answered, and Rivka became pregnant with twins, who were later named Esav and Yakov (Esau & Jacob). Rivka was told that these twins would eventually become two rival nations.

In this week's parsha, Chayei Sarah, Avraham buys a burial plot for his late wife Sarah, and there is the long and detailed story of Abraham's servant, Eliezer going on a journey to find a wife for Avraham’s son Isaac. 

In this week's Parsha Vayera, we see one of the most significant parts of the Torah: G-d finally reveals himself to Abraham three days after Avraham undergoes the first circumcision at the age of 99.

In this week's parsha, parashat Lech Lecha, G-d speaks to Abram, commanding him: “Go from your land, from your birthplace and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you.” There, G-d says, will be born a great nation.

In this week’s Parsha - Parshat Noach - G-d told Noah, the only good man in a world full of violence and corruption, to build a large wooden ark. “A Great flood”, says G-d, “will wipe out all life from the face of the earth, but the ark will float upon the water”. 

This week's Parsha is Parashat Bereshit, the first parsha in the Torah. Bereshit in Hebrew translates to “In the beginning”, and the book is called “Genesis” in English. 

Parashat Ha’azinu mainly consists of a song by Moshe delivered on the very last day of his life. Moshe sings about the experiences shared between him and the Jewish people, starting with a reminder about how G-d has taken care of the Jewish people, before shifting to criticism of all the Jewish people’s mistakes. 

This Shabbat will be Shabbat Shuvah, the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which is in the middle of the Ten days of Penitence (Aseret Yemei Teshuvah). 

This week's parsha, Nitzavim, is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah. This passage has numerous parts that relate to Rosh Hashanah. The book of Nitzavim discusses our devotion to G-d, The Torah, as well as the mitzvot. Moshe talks about the covenant between G-d and Israel, insisting that Israel uphold the covenant and follow the ways of the Torah for a meaningful life in the land of Israel.