Daily Devotionals
A Living Torah Scroll
September 14, 2017 - 12:00 am“Now write down this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them.” — Deuteronomy 31:19 The Torah reading for this week is a double portion, Nitzavim-Vayelech, from Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20. Nitzavim means “standing” and Vayelech means “and he … Read more…
Choose Life!
September 13, 2017 - 12:00 amThis day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live . . . — Deuteronomy 30:19 The Torah reading for this week is a double portion, … Read more…
It’s All Inside
September 12, 2017 - 12:00 amIt is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim … Read more…
The Cedar and the Reed
September 11, 2017 - 12:00 amAll of you are standing today in the presence of the LORD your God—your leaders and chief men, your elders and officials, and all the other men of Israel . . . — Deuteronomy 29:10 The Torah reading for this week is a double portion, Nitzavim-Vayelech, from Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20. Nitzavim … Read more…
Never Too Great
September 10, 2017 - 12:00 amHe gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. — Psalm 136:25 Jewish tradition confers the title of “Great Song of Praise” to just one psalm — Psalm 136. What is so special about this psalm that it is deserving of that title over all of the rest? The … Read more…
Rise and Shine!
September 8, 2017 - 12:00 am“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1 The Torah portion for this week is Ki Tavo, which means “when you have entered,” from Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8, and the Haftorah is from Isaiah 60:1–22. “Rise and shine!” Maybe you woke up to that morning … Read more…
When the Walls Come Down
September 7, 2017 - 12:00 amThey will lay siege to all the cities throughout your land until the high fortified walls in which you trust fall down. They will besiege all the cities throughout the land the LORD your God is giving you. — Deuteronomy 28:52 The Torah portion for this week is Ki Tavo, which means “when … Read more…
An Inside Job
September 6, 2017 - 12:00 amYou will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. — Deuteronomy 28:3 The Torah portion for this week is Ki Tavo, which means “when you have entered,” from Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8, and the Haftorah is from Isaiah 60:1–22. I recently read the following insight from a psychologist who specializes … Read more…
Words to Live By
September 5, 2017 - 12:00 amThen you shall declare before the LORD your God: “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, subjecting us to harsh labour.” — Deuteronomy 26:5–6 The Torah portion … Read more…
All the Way
September 4, 2017 - 12:00 amWhen you have entered the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it . . . — Deuteronomy 26:1 The Torah portion for this week is Ki Tavo, which means “when you have entered,” from Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8, … Read more…
