Parshat Ki Tavo is the 7th parsha in Sefer Devarim (also known as Deuteronomy).
This parsha is verses Deuteronomy 26:1 – 29:8, or a total of 122 verses.
Here is a brief summary for each aliyah.
Pharaoh – Paro
Pharaoh (Hebrew – Paro) is the name / title of the ruler of Egypt. During the 10 Plagues, Pharaoh refused to acknowledge God.
Parshat Beshalach Summary
Parshat Beshalach is the 4th parsha in Sefer Shemot (also known as Exodus).
The Shabbat of this parsha is also called Shabbat Shira based on the song the Jewish people sang after escaping from the Egyptians.
This parsha is verses Exodus 13:17 – 17:16, or a total of 116 verses.
Here is a brief summary for each aliyah.
Parshat Bo Summary
Parshat Bo is the 3rd parsha in Sefer Shemot (also known as Exodus).
This parsha is verses Exodus 10:1 – 13:16, or a total of 105 verses.
Here is a brief summary for each aliyah.
Parshat Vaeira Summary
Parshat Vaeira is the 2nd parsha in Sefer Shemot (also known as Exodus).
This parsha is verses Exodus 6:2 – 9:35, or a total of 121 verses.
Here is a brief summary for each aliyah.
Parshat Shemot Summary
Parshat Shemot is the 1st parsha in Sefer Shemot (also known as Exodus).
This parsha is verses Exodus 1:1 – 6:1 for a total of 124 verses.
Here is a brief summary for each aliyah.
Butler and Baker
Parshat Vayeishev 5775
This week’s parsha ends with Joseph in prison.
He’s been a model prisoner and has been put in charge of all the other prisoners.
Then Pharaoh gets angry with his chief butler and chief baker and throws them into the same prison with Joseph.
One night the butler and baker have dreams that leave them troubled.
Stand Still or Move?
Parshat Beshalach 5772
There’s a saying: When in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.
There is nothing worse than not knowing what to do. How do you decide what to do when every action seems to have negative consequences?
This week I want to explore how the Jewish People dealt with such a situation.
May I Please Borrow a Cup of Sugar?
It’s a sure fire way to meet your new neighbors. Walk next door with a measuring cup in your hand and say, “Hi. We just moved in. I want to bake cookies, but I can’t find the sugar. May I please borrow a cup of sugar?”
Of course, they’ll say yes and you are well on your way to forming a new friendship.
That’s great when you’re new in a community. Does the same thing work when you are leaving?
Why 1 Serpent is Better Than 100
This week’s parsha reminds me of the kid’s game rock-paper-scissors.
When I was growing up in Los Angeles, here is how we described the winner of each round:
- Rock breaks scissors
- Scissors cuts paper
- Paper covers rock
No matter what choice you make, you might win or you might lose. Sure, if you both make the same choice, then the game is a draw. But I always played to win :-).
What Does a Serpent Prove?
Parshat Va’eira 5772
The question is really quite simple.
Suppose I want to prove to you that I am the best at something. For an easy example, I claim to be the best at kicking a football.
We go out to a field and I kick a football 200 feet. You then call over five other people who all proceed to do exactly the same thing.
On what basis can I maintain my claim to be the best?