Bo (Exodus 10:1–13:16)

Bo (Exodus 10:1–13:16)

This week’s Torah portion, Bo, covers Exodus 10:1 to 13:16. The narrative intensity hits its peak here. The last three of the ten plagues descend on Egypt: locusts devour the crops, impenetrable darkness shrouds the land, and finally, the firstborns of every Egyptian...
Va’era (Exodus 6:2–9:35)

Va’era (Exodus 6:2–9:35)

This week’s Torah portion covers Exodus 6:2-9:35. It is called Va’era, which means “and I appeared,” the first words spoken to Moses in the text. In Va’era, the story of the Exodus begins. Plagues hit the Egyptians in full force. Pharaoh knew the names of many false...
Shemot (Exodus 1:1–6:1)

Shemot (Exodus 1:1–6:1)

This week’s Torah portion is called Shemot (Exodus 1:1–6:1) which in Hebrew means “names.” Genesis closed with the descendants of Jacob living in the land of Egypt, waiting out the period of famine that had overtaken the region. What started as a temporary move...
Vayechi (Genesis 47:28–50:26)

Vayechi (Genesis 47:28–50:26)

This week’s Torah portion Vayechi covers Genesis 47:28–50:26. These are the last chapters of Genesis and the final moments of the era of the patriarchs. It is a biblical pivot point. While Genesis covered the personal lives and divine encounters of Abraham, Isaac, and...