Sivan Says: Taking the Torah Personally

Bereshit

In this week’s parsha, the story begins: God creates the world, light breaks through darkness, and humanity takes its first breath. But Bereshit is more than a tale of be

Sukkot

This week, we pause the regular Torah reading for Sukkot, the festival of joy, unity, and fragility. Sivan reflects on how entering the Sukkah connects us to generations

Ha'azinu

In this week’s parsha, Moshe sings of God’s care for Israel, of the dangers of complacency, and of the eternal covenant that binds us still. As Yom Kippur gives way to Sh

Vayelech

In this week’s parsha, the shortest in the Torah, Moshe offers a final charge: Though God may hide His face, He will never abandon His people. Again we hear the refrain c

Nitzavim

This week’s parsha is short, but it holds some of the Torah’s deepest principles. Moses gathers the people before God, reminding them that unity is the starting point of

Ki Tavo

This week’s parsha introduces the mitzvah of bikurim—bringing the first fruits to Jerusalem, handing them to the priest, and speaking words of thanks. It’s not enough to

Ki Teitzei

This week’s parsha opens with a farewell speech from Moses and lays out 74 commandments, the most of any single Torah portion. They cover everything from inheritance laws

Shoftim

This week’s parsha opens with Moses’ command: "Appoint judges and officers at all your gates." On the surface, it’s about building a legal system. But our commentators go

Re'eh

This week’s parsha, Re’eh, opens with a challenge: See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse. Moses tells the Israelites that faith isn’t just about words; it’s

Eikev

In this week’s parsha, Moses warns the Israelites about the greatest spiritual danger they’ll face: not hunger or enemies, but comfort. As they prepare to enter a land fl

Va’etchanan

In this week’s ⁠parsha⁠, Moses pleads with God to enter the land of Israel and is told no. Instead, he turns to the people, delivering some of the most iconic words in th

Devarim

In this week’s parsha, we begin the book of Devarim, Moses’ final words to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. After four books of epic events, this one s

Matot-Masei

This week's parsha opens with what looks like just a long list—42 places the Israelites traveled through on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land. But those stops are

Pinchas

In this week's parsha, we watch as Moshe’s leadership begins to pass to the next generation. He won’t enter the land of Israel with the people he led out of slavery, but

Balak

In this week’s parsha, Balak hires the prophet Bilam to curse the Israelites. But every time he opens his mouth, blessings come out instead. From these unexpected prophec

Chukat

In this week's parsha, Miriam and Aharon die, and Moshe learns he won’t enter the land either. It’s a moment of grief, transition, and disorientation. But even as leaders

Korach

On this week’s parsha, we meet Korach, who challenges Moshe’s leadership and Aaron’s priesthood, arguing that the entire nation is holy. But Rav Sivan Rahav-Meir reminds

Sh’lach

In this week’s parsha, Moses sends twelve spies into the land of Israel. Ten return with fear and doubt; only two return with faith. The Israelites, overwhelmed by the gi

Beha’alotcha

This week's parsha opens with a command to Aharon: light the lamps of the menorah until the flame rises on its own. But this parsha isn’t just about lighting candles—it’s

Naso

In this week’s parsha, the after the Israelites have beencounted, we learn about the kohanim and their responsibilities . We then see a specific explanation about offerin