Parshat Haazinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52) Rabbi David Stav This coming Shabbat Shuva, we will read Parshat Haazinu – or, to be precise, Shirat Haazinu (Song of Haazinu). God tells Moshe that this song has a vital role in shaping Jewish consciousness – which all of Moshe’s previous admonitions of Israel had not managed to do – and that …
Parshat Nitzavim-Vayelech (Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30) Rabbi David Stav There is something truly unique about the Torah’s description of the Jewish People assembling to experience the sealing of the covenant between the nation and its God, as the Book of Deuteronomy comes to a close. Our portion, Nitzavim-Vayelech, states: “You are all standing this …
Parshat Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8) Rabbi David Stav We rarely have any hard and fast rules about which Torah portions must be read at what time, yet an age-old Rabbinic tradition maintains that we must be sure to read the parsha of Ki Tavo, containing the blessings and curses before Rosh Hashanah, so that we can merit to enjoy the blessings …
Parshat Ki Tetze (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19) Rabbi David Stav The Torah contains many events and mitzvot, and this week’s portion, Ki Teitze, is among the most “mitzvah-packed” in the entire Torah. It lists mitzvot of all kinds, both private and public; those concerned with the relationship between Man and God, as well as those addressing relationships …
Parshat Shoftim(Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9) Rabbi David Stav True to its name, our Torah portion, Shoftim, elaborates on the different court systems and government agencies the nation would need to establish once it enters the Land of Israel, as echoed in the verse: “You shall set up judges and law enforcement officials for yourself in all your cities…” …
Parshat Reeh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17) Rabbi David Stav Our Torah portion this week, Re’eh, is replete with religious and social mitzvot, of which one is to take place during the Sh’nat Sh’mitah, the Sabbatical Year: the principle of Sh’mitat K’safim – the absolution of debt. Simply put, all creditors must absolve their debtors from repaying …
Parshat Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25) Rabbi David Stav In Parshat Ekev, Moshe continues his series of farewell addresses to the People of Israel. I would like to focus on the promising and encouraging component of his address that describes the virtues of the Land of Israel, which is “…a land with brooks of water, fountains and depths that emerge …
Parshat Va’etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) Rabbi David Stav This coming Sabbath is called “Shabbat Nachamu”, in reference to the Haftarah, an excerpt from the Book of Yishayahu (Isaiah) that begins, “‘Comfort, comfort My people’, so says Hashem” [Is. 40:1]. This is the first of the Seven Haftarot of Consolation read every week …
Parshat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22) Rabbi David Stav This Shabbat, we will begin a new book of the Chumash, the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy). The special name given to this Shabbat – Shabbat Chazon, which immediately precedes the fast day of Tisha b’Av – is associated with the first haftarah of the book of Deuteronomy, which begins: …
Parshat Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2 – 36:13) Rabbi David Stav The first part of this week’s Torah portion deals with vows. According to Torah law, if a man makes a vow, i.e. forbids himself from enjoying a particular object, or contributes that object as an endowment or charity, that man must keep his vow. If not, he will be transgressing a prohibition …