Mishpatim: The Living Torah
How should we understand the difference between the Written Torah and the Oral Torah within the context of Israel’s identity and development?
Yitro: Israel’s Universal Mission
Why were the Hebrews so surprised by the sudden realization that they would receive the Torah as a set of laws & a mission for the rest of humanity?
Beshalaḥ: Between Freedom & Liberation
Between the smashing of Egypt’s military at the Sea of Reeds and the war against Amalek at Rephidim, the Hebrews had to develop a national perception of emuna in preparation for receiving the Torah.
Bo: Israel’s Internal Transformation
What were the necessary steps for Israel to develop a national consciousness ahead of leaving Egypt?
Va’eira: The Divine Revelation to Humanity
The ten plagues were part of a deliberate process to educate not only Egypt and Israel but also humanity.
Sh’mot: The Revolutionary Lawgiver
After despairing of a slave revolt, did Moshe seek to create a new nation in Midian to replace Israel?
Vayeḥi: Demystifying the Tribes of Israel
What are the individual contributions of each Hebrew tribe to Israel’s national collective?
Vayigash: Recognizing Yosef
Did Yosef use the famine to bring his family down to Egypt in hopes of implementing an alternative approach to the Hebrew mission in the Diaspora?
Mikeitz: Egypt’s Hebrew Viceroy
Did Yosef seek to transform Egypt into a civilization built on Hebrew values that would repair the world?
Vayeishev: Yosef & Yehuda
As internal conflict over the Hebrew clan’s direction leads to tragic consequences for Yosef and Yehuda, each must discover his own messianic potential.
Vayishlaḥ: Finally Becoming Israel
As Yaakov returns back home to his land, he and his family are met with new challenges that ultimately transform them into the nation of Israel.
Vayetzei: Yaakov’s Struggle to Become Israel
Before becoming Israel, Yaakov had to first spend several years in exile learning to be more like Esav.