brothers

July 17, 2015
By bethmordecai
no comments.

Parashat Matot-Ma’asei (מטות/מעסי) — Will You Go To War With Me?

Parashat Matot Ma-asei -- Will You Go to War With Me? The Iran Deal agreed to this past week calls into question the ways in which regional powers (Israel, Gulf States) relate to their allies abroad (America, France, Great Britain, etc.). Are their allies standing by them or leaving them to deal with potential consequences of the deal? This week's triennial Torah portion (Numbers 32 and 33) appropriately deal with the issue of whether "allies" (i.e. tribes) will go to war with their brethren if their immediate needs aren't threatened. Likewise, how willing are we to stick our necks out for our friends if we are not affected to the same degree as they are? Will we be present with them or[...]

Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class
Tag : brothers crossing Jordan Gadites God ma'asei ma-asei matot online learning online parashah class or hachayim parsha Reubenites war מטות מעסי

brothers

December 19, 2014
By bethmordecai
no comments.

Parashat Mikeitz (מקץ) — Hope Amidst Destruction

Parashat Mikeitz 2014/5775 (Triennial II) -- Hope Amidst Destruction In this week's Torah portion we learn about the stories related to the rationing ("shever") of grain in Egypt by our forefather Joseph. The Hebrew word "shever" is used often in this context, principally to refer to the dividing of grains into rations. Yet in other contexts the same root (sh-v-r) means "to destroy" and an analogous root (s-v-r) means "to hope." What can we learn by the different meanings of the same root? Given the dire circumstances caused by the famine in Egypt, is it possible that the act of "rationing" is a reflection of hope amidst destruction? And if so, what role can God play in helping us have hope through the tribulations[...]

Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class
Tag : brothers destruction hope joseph mikeitz miketz online learning online parashah class parsha parshah weekly torah portion מקץ