Parsha of the week
Posted by Leslie Palma-Simoncek August 01, 2008 3:09PM
It's become clear during my weekly reading of the Parsha of the Week in the Torah that I don't understand the Tanach even a little. Once, when I was trying to prepare for a job interview at a financial publication (before the Advance saved my life -- and I mean that), my friend Kim and I tried to read a story in the business section of the Sunday New York Times. We didn't get it. I get this week's Torah portion even less. Is there anyone who can recommend a good Torah commentary for me?
Anyway, this week we have Masei, the end of the Book of Numbers, 33:1-36:13. It begins with a list of the places the Israelites camped when they left Egypt and moves into a disturbing part where God tells them that when they cross the Jordan, they must "drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you; destroy all their stone figures and molten images, and demolish all their high places. You shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land as your property." Are these words -- and the verses that follow that delineate the borders of Israel -- the very words still causing all the trouble? Anyone?
About the most insightful essay I could find on Masei was written this week by Rabbi Arthur Segal and can be found here. It's long but worth sticking with, IMHO, as they say.[In My Humble Opinion]
JEWISH RENEWAL:
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.