Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein

Parashat Ki Teitzei Study Guide Themes Theme 1: Building a Just Society in the Promised Land—It’s All in the Family Theme 2: You Are With Whom You Mate—Regulating Sexual Relations in the Promised Land Introduction Building the ideal Israelite society is an overriding concern of Deuteronomy. The civil, criminal, and...

Parashat Shof’tim Study Guide Themes Theme 1: Pursuing Justice in the Promised Land Theme 2: Until Swords Become Plowshares—Rules for the Conduct of War Introduction In parashat Shof’tim Moses continues to outline legal teachings for Israel. The parashah focuses on organizing the community and establishing rules that will promote justice...

Parashat Eikev Study Guide Themes Theme 1: It Takes Two—Partners in Covenant Theme 2: Prolific and Protected— Women in the Promised Land Introduction What is necessary for the Israelites to thrive in the Promised Land? Parashat Eikev aims to answer that question. The parashah contains three speeches by Moses to...

Parashat D’varim Study Guide Themes Theme 1: Retelling History at the Threshold of the Promised Land Theme 2: Ties That Bind: Dealing Peacefully with the Kinfolk on the Way to the Promised Land Introduction The first parashah in the book of Deuteronomy takes place in the lower Jordan valley at...