Torah Cycle
Are Generational Curses Real? Understanding Onan’s Story in Vayeshev
When I first encountered Onan’s story in Genesis 38 from an ancient Near Eastern perspective, something clicked. Here was a man whose mysterious death prompted speculation and errant teaching about human sexuality. His refusal to provide an heir for his deceased brother wasn’t a sexual sinâit was about protecting his inheritance and perpetuating greed in…
Silenced Voices: Honor, Shame, and Violence in Dinah’s Tale – Vayishlach
When Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, is sexually violated by a foreign prince, her brothers respond with shocking violence – massacring an entire city of men. To modern readers, this seems like a horrifically disproportionate response to what appears to be an individual crime. But beneath this disturbing tale lies a complex web of honor,…
No More Climbing – How God Transforms Our Understanding of Sacred Space – Vayetse
When ancient peoples built towers to reach heaven, they reached up. When Jacob encountered God, he lay down. This contrast reveals something surprising about how God bridges heaven and earth: He doesn’t wait for us to climb upâHe comes down. The familiar story of Jacob’s ladder isn’t just about a man’s mystical dream. It’s the…
Chosen and Rejected: The Psychological Cost of Favoritism – Toldot
The story of Jacob and Esau begins with a shocking disclaimer: Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for wild game. But Rebekah loved Jacob. Genesis 25:28 (CSB) These parents openly favor different children. Isaacâs love for Esau depends on his ability to provide a tasty treat. Parental favoritism is a narcissistic behavior that…
The God of Heaven: A Universal Plan That Begins with a Burial Plot – Chayei Sarah
What if I told you that Godâs plan for restoring the earth begins with a burial plot? Sounds small, right? But that little patch of land in Genesis 23 marks the start of something massive: God reclaiming the earth, one step at a time. This story, nestled in the Torah portion Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1â25:18),…
Justice on Trial: When Protecting One Leads to Harming Another – Vayera
What happens when the justice system fails you? What about when someone claims to be a pillar of righteousness but ends up hurting others? These questions arenât just modern concernsâtheyâre rooted in some of the oldest stories of the Bible. Godâs commissioning of Abraham to âkeep the way of Yahweh by doing righteousness and justiceâ…
Facing the Unknown: Abrahamâs Journey of Faith – Lech Lecha
Have you ever avoided a promotion or a leadership role because it felt more comfortable to stay where you were? You knew you could handle the work in your current spot. Moving forward meant facing unknownsâand who wants that when the routine feels safe? That was me. I spent years as an ICU nurse, comfortable…
Why Does God Allow Tragedy? – Noach
Why Does God Allow Tragedy? Insights from the Flood, Job, and Jesus When people read the biblical flood story, they sometimes wonder: Was it fair? Was it ethical for God to wipe out all of humanity, sparing only Noah and his family? Itâs a tough question, and for good reason. The flood isnât just a…
Power Without Conflict: The Radical Message of Genesis 1
Genesis chapters 1 and 2âitâs the story everyone thinks they know. For years, weâve been drawn into debates over how these passages square with science, often getting caught up in the evolution vs. creation conversation. But what if Genesis has always been about something far more profound than âhowâ creation happened? What if, instead of…
Covenant Renewal – Dvarim
As the sun sets over the plains of Moab, the Israelites stand on the brink of a new chapter. Moses, their steadfast leader, addresses them one last time before they enter the Promised Land. This moment is more than a historical pause; itâs a profound renewal of their commitments. The Book of Deuteronomy, often seen…
Vows and Oaths – Matot-Masei
In the ancient world of Israel, vows and oaths were more than wordsâthey were sacred promises that bound individuals to their commitments to God. Numbers 30 lays out specific laws concerning fulfilling and annulment of vows and oaths. These laws might seem distant today, but they hold timeless wisdom about family unity and responsibility. By…
Managing Zeal – Pinchas
Zeal is a powerful force. It can drive people to do extraordinary things, both good and bad. In Scripture, we encounter stories that highlight the dual nature of zeal. In Numbers 25, Phinehas, in a dramatic act, protects the sanctity of the Tabernacle by stopping a blatant act of rebellion. Meanwhile, the daughters of Zelophehad…
