Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein

Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein serves Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA and teaches Introduction to Judaism courses for the Union for Reform Judaism in the Washington, D.C. area. She wrote some of the study guides for The Torah: A Women’s Commentary.

Parashat Nitzavim

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein

Parashat Nitzavim Study Guide Themes Theme 1: Sinai Redux—We’re All in This Together Theme 2: The People’s Choice—To Live or Die in the Promised Land Introduction Moses’ words in parashat Nitzavim contain the majority of his third and final speech to the Israelites assembled on the steppes of Moab as

Parashat Ki Teitzei

D'Var Torah By: 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.

Parashat Shoftim

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein

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.

Parashat Eikev

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein

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.

Parashat D’varim

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein

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