PARSHA POSTS: VAYELECH

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Sep 29, 2024, 7:04 PM

The Last Shabbat of the Year 5784

These words of Torah should be in memory of my dear Cousin Feigi Farkash who sadly passed away last week. Her memory should be for a blessing. I saw a friend of Shabbat Afternoon walking and he has asked me...

Reuven Chaim Klein

Sep 29, 2024, 6:48 AM

Empty Nothingness (Part 1 of 2)

The Aleinu L’Shabeach prayer — which is recited multiple times daily and in the Amidah on Rosh Hashanah — declares the universal dominion of Hashem’s sovereignty and His special relationship with the Jewish People. That prayer contrasts the Jews who worship the “King...

Sep 27, 2024, 5:40 PM

Leadership: Consensus or Command? (Nitzavim-Vayelech)

The great transition is about to take place. Moses’ career as a leader is coming to an end, and Joshua’s leadership is about to begin. Moses blesses his successor. Then God does. Listen carefully to what they say, and...

Sep 27, 2024, 4:37 PM

Can We Survive Without Kings? Parshat Nitzavim-Vayelech

This week is my last blog for the year since we have a triple header with two days of Rosh Hashanah followed by shabbat. Last year in my blog I wrote: The origin of God as king is barely evidenced in...

Sep 27, 2024, 4:32 PM

Believe: For Parshiyot Netzavim and Vayelech

Can you believe it? We are approaching the end of another Torah cycle. This week we read two short parshiyot, but perhaps we should say that we savor these two parshiyot, because they are very special. Moshe, whom we...

Sep 26, 2024, 12:01 PM

Nitzavim-Vayeilech—the Hiding of God’s Face and Suffering

The horrific events of October 7 have, once again, triggered the age-old question: why do good people suffer? In my comments below, I do not intend to review the vast literature that has been written on this subject but...

Sep 26, 2024, 11:27 AM

‘Under Fire’ Parashat Nitzavim – Vayelech 5784

The Portion of Nitzavim tells of a covenant into which G-d and the Jewish People enter before their entry into the Land of Israel. The covenant is concise: We will be G-d’s Nation and He will be our only...

Ben-Tzion Spitz

Sep 26, 2024, 11:25 AM

Evil Thoughts (Nitzavim-Vayelech)

'Evil Thoughts' (AI image by author)

Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results. -- Willie Nelson There is a concept in Judaism that one is only punishable for what one does. You can plan a heist but are only found guilty...

Sep 26, 2024, 8:00 AM

Parshat Vayelech: Walking with Faith

Moses walking through the desert with His people - Imagine AI

Sometimes when we go through tough times and our hearts fill with doubt, we react upon them and give up on all of our hard work. We may have certain goals we have been working really hard for, but...

Mordechai Silverstein

Sep 25, 2024, 6:48 AM

Life is What You Make of It

Sefer Devarim is winding to a close and so, too, is the life of Moshe. In the Jewish tradition, even the greatest of heroes remains human, finite and ephemeral: The Lord said to Moshe: Your days are drawing near ...

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