Voices of WRJ

This weekly blog series, published on Fridays, features insights from WRJ leaders on the Torah portions from a women's perspective. Enhance your Torah learning and understanding by adding Voices to your reading list.

Voices of WRJ: Parashat D’varim

by Ellen Bick What is the strength of our words? We all know how powerful words can be and the impact they can have. The Book of Deuteronomy retells Israel’s history and laws for a new generation born in the desert. Here in Parashat D’varim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22), or ‘Words’, we find Moses looking across the Jordan River to the Promised Land. After 40 years of wandering, Moses gathers the people and speaks to them. God will not allow Moses to cross with his people. Saddened though he was at not being able to reach the Promised Land, Moses feels a strong responsibility to his people and uses this parting time to retell the stories of their wandering and to emphasize the laws of God. He feels the urgency to once again impart the word of God and make sure his people understand and honor it. He knows that these laws will be the foundation for the Jewish people as they move forward.

Voices of WRJ: Parashat Pinchas

Sara B. Charney

Parashat Pinchas doesn’t deliver what you might expect. Amidst yet another census taking exercise, we have the story of the daring, mindful, literate, assertive and non-compromising five daughters of Zelophehad. I would like to relate the bold actions of Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah to our contemporary selves, to us, as women of Reform Judaism.

Voices of WRJ: Parashat Balak

by Ellen Petracco In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9), Balak is the King of Moab, and the Israelites are camped on the border of Moab on their way to the Promised Land and are prospering. This worries Balak as he is afraid the Israelites, who are growing in numbers, will rise up and conquer his people and his land.

Voices of WRJ: Parashat Chukat

by Myra Feiger Parashat Chukat discusses the grim reality of death in the wilderness, the necessary succession in leadership, and the approach of the journey’s end. Repeatedly in this parashah, healing and new life follow death. The circle of our lives includes death, which follows life, not the other way around.

Voices of WRJ: Parashat Korach

fredi Bleeker Franks

In preparation for this week’s message, I re-read Parashat Korach (Numbers16:1−18:32). As I read, I was reminded of the preparation for my adult Bat Mitzvah, which occurred on this same parashah. How interesting that the verses in Korach which caught my attention almost 15 years ago are not the same ones which resonate with me today.