Ki Tavo means “when you enter” and begins with a variety of agricultural regulations that take effect once Israel has entered Canaan. Other regulations, such as that of tithing, are further instituted in the 26th chapter. 26 also contains a veiled rebuke from Moshe to the previous generation as he …

Ki Teze means “when you go out” as in terms of when Israel confronts her enemies on the battlefield. One main war regulation is given at the start, and that is what to do with a woman taken captive from the nations that a Jewish man wants to make a …

Shoftim means “judges” and Deuteronomy 16:18 begins with the command to appoint them. The Torah had suggested that these courts had to be established to resolve general disputes (Exodus 21:22, 22:8) but only here do we find the specific command to set these courts up in every city, probably because …

Re’eh means “see,” and it begins with that great summary of the covenant: I set aside two ways for you, blessing and cursing, life and death. Shortly afterwards, a number of regulations about the place for Abba YHWH’s Name—Yerushalayim though no one other than Abba YHWH knows that yet—are given. …

“Ekev” means “because” or “if only.” Following the theme of last week’s parsha of Va’etchanan, Moshe continues his urgent pleas to this current generation to realize that they are honor-bound to continue in the covenant originally granted to their fathers and that they, in a limited sense, share blame with …

Va’etchanan means “and I pleaded” or “and I asked for favor/mercy.” This is Moshe pleading with Abba YHWH one last time to ask to be allowed to enter into the Promised Land. Abba YHWH though utterly refuses and says, “Speak to Me no more on this matter”! After an extensive …

Devarim means “the words” and as the book opens we enter the last day of Moshe’s life. Moshe begins the book by recapping the details of the last 40 years. The portion ends with Moshe reminding Israel of the times that Abba YHWH fought for them. Now that the evil …

Mattot means “the tribes,” but also has very interesting secondary meanings of “staff, scepter, rod, branch,” all of which seem relevant here. The portion opens with a discussion on the need to fulfill valid oaths to Abba YHWH to the letter-valid meaning that the oath is not contradictory to Abba …

Pinchas refers to the man whose righteous example of purging evil from Israel’s ranks moved Abba YHWH to stop a plague that would have otherwise destroyed all Israel. More than that, the portion starts with Pinchas getting a particularly high honor from Abba YHWH, the covenant of peace that rests …

Balak refers to the man, Balak of Zippor, who was the king of Moab and a resolute enemy of Israel. When Balak then hears of a man named Balaam who can predict the future and cast curses, he hires him to curse Israel. However, Balaam can truly hear Abba YHWH’s …

Torah 101 will return March 16th with “Shemini!”

A New Era dawns. As we delve now into the opening chapters of Vayikra or Leviticus, sacrifices and regulations for ritual purity are given in extremely exacting detail, proving that this is real history and not a myth made up to teach a religion! Explore the surprising connections between the …

I love it when a plan comes together–especially a heavenly one commanded by Father Yah! We may never know how long Father Yah had the image of an earthly tabernacle to match the glory (at least somewhat) of what He commanded in the heavenlies, but we most certainly know the …

A big part of heaven’s kingdom descends onto the earth this week! Remembering that Moshe has been told a few times, “See that you make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain”. this week that pattern becomes a physical reality as sacred geometries and spiritual mathematics …

It starts out with just an innocent little census, but then all “pagan-gehenna” breaks loose–literally! But as many of you long-time members know, figuring out what the Golden Calf really was is the key to unlocking so many other mysteries, including where Mount Sinai has to be. But this time …

Enter into the Sanctuary, to the place that Father Yah promised He would meet with His servants! Now as the plans for building the earthly representation of those things in heaven picks up speed, literally, the secrets of the universe are passed down in code, calendar, and prophecy in so …

Explore the mysteries of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant and so much more. Terumah seems to be a parsha just about measurements and furniture, but the reality is very different. Inside these numbers are amazing secret codes for calendar, prophecy and even the universe itself. Also find out …

We’re not done with Moshe receiving the Torah just yet! The Ten Commandments was just the beginning and now come the Mishpatim–the judgments and smaller regulations that explain how to keep the Top 10! But just when you think there’s nothing but rules and regulations to be had here, a …

“Behold His Mighty Hand! YHWH of Hosts will fight for us!” A nation so feared that other empires bow down in submission. A king so powerful that his nation and priesthood proclaims him a god. An army so massive–600 chariots strong and countless infantry-and a slave population so helpless–they want …

He saved the worst for last! The three worst plagues are still in front of the Egyptians as this action packed parsha opens with locusts devouring the rest of the crops the massive hail storm spared, followed by three days of a darkness that can be felt and of course, …