Daily Devotionals
When Brethren Dwell Together
June 20, 2018 - 12:00 am. . . and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, all the Israelites mourned for him thirty days. — Numbers 20:29 The Torah portion for this week is Chukat, which means “requirement,” from Numbers 19:1–22:1, and the Haftorah is from Judges 11:1–33. In this week’s Torah reading, we lose … Read more…
A Fountain of Faith
June 19, 2018 - 12:00 amIn the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. — Numbers 20:1 The Torah portion for this week is Chukat, which means “requirement,” from Numbers 19:1–22:1, and the Haftorah is from Judges 11:1–33. Recently, a close friend … Read more…
Diamonds in the Rough
June 18, 2018 - 12:00 am“This is a requirement of the law that the LORD has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke.” — Numbers 19:2 The Torah portion for this week is Chukat, which means “requirement,” from Numbers 19:1–22:1, and the Haftorah is … Read more…
God’s Provisions in Any Desert
June 17, 2018 - 12:00 amThey spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?” — Psalm 78:19 I recently heard about a conversation that a rabbi who heads up a lifesaving organization had with a board member. After looking over the rabbi’s ambitious goals, the board member said, “Maybe … Read more…
The King of Kings
June 15, 2018 - 12:00 am“But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.” — 1 Samuel 12:12 The Torah portion for this week is Korach, which means “Korah,” from Numbers 16:1–18:32, and … Read more…
The Power of Heaven – Piercing Prayers
June 14, 2018 - 12:00 amThen Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not accept their offering. I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them.” — Numbers 16:15 The Torah portion for this week is Korach, which means “Korah,” from Numbers 16:1–18:32, and the Haftorah … Read more…
Rise Above the Conflict
June 13, 2018 - 12:00 amThen Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab. But they said, “We will not come!” — Numbers 16:12 The Torah portion for this week is Korach, which means “Korah,” from Numbers 16:1–18:32, and the Haftorah is from 1 Samuel 11:14–12:22. Stan Mikita is a retired professional ice hockey player … Read more…
Joyful with our Lot
June 12, 2018 - 12:00 amMoses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you Levites! Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the LORD’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them?” – … Read more…
The Unseen Movers of the World
June 11, 2018 - 12:00 amKorah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth – became insolent. — Numbers 16:1 The Torah portion for this week is Korach, which means “Korah,” from Numbers 16:1–18:32, and the Haftorah is from 1 Samuel … Read more…
By the Grace of God
June 10, 2018 - 12:00 amYour path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. — Psalm 77:19 Several years ago, Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington delivered the commencement address at Dillard University, a historically black university founded in 1869. His first piece of advice for graduates about … Read more…
