From the Bazaar under Sinai – Nitzavim-Vayelech means the end of the old and the beginning of the new

From Chabad.org: Nitzavim-Vayelech in a Nutshell Deut. 29:9–31:30The name of the Parshah, “Nitzavim,” means “Standing,” and it is found in Deuteronomy 29:9. The name of the Parshah, “Vayelech,” means “And [Moses] went,” and it is found in Deuteronomy 31:1. The Parshah of Nitzavim includes some of the most fundamental principles of the Jewish faith: The…

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From the Bazaar under Sinai – Ki Teitzei tells us that laws are there to make sure nobody gets any bright ideas.

From Chabad.org: Ki Teitzei in a NutshellDeuteronomy 21:10–25:19The name of the Parshah, “Ki Teitzei,” means “when you go out,”. Seventy-four of the Torah’s 613 commandments (mitzvot) are in the Parshah of Ki Teitzei. These include the laws of the beautiful captive, the inheritance rights of the firstborn, the wayward and rebellious son, burial and dignity…

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From the bazaar under Sinai: The judgments dictate that for some, it’s time to go

From Chabad.org: Shoftim in a NutshellDeuteronomy 16:18–21:9The name of the Parshah, “Shoftim,” means “Judges”. Moses instructs the people of Israel to appoint judges and law enforcement officers in every city. “Justice, justice shall you pursue,” he commands them, and you must administer it without corruption or favoritism. Crimes must be meticulously investigated and evidence thoroughly…

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From the Bazaar under Sinai: Life under martial law and the foolish beliefe of endless growth

From Chabad.org: Re’eh in a NutshellDeuteronomy 11:26–16:17The name of the Parshah, “Re’eh,” means “See,” and it is found in Deuteronomy 11:26. “See,” says Moses to the people of Israel, “I place before you today a blessing and a curse”—the blessing that will come when they fulfill G‑d’s commandments, and the curse if they abandon them….

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From the Bazaar under Sinai – Vegan Torah commentary for parshah Va’etchanan

From Chabad.org: Va’etchanan in a NutshellDeuteronomy 3:23–7:11. The name of the Parshah, “Va’etchanan,” means “I entreated”. Moses tells the people of Israel how he implored G‑d to allow him to enter the Land of Israel, but G‑d refused, instructing him instead to ascend a mountain and see the Promised Land. Continuing his “review of the…

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From the Bazaar under Sinai – Devarim and Moses didn’t write a word of it.

From Chabad.org – Devarim in a NutshellDeuteronomy 1:1–3:22The name of the Parshah, “Devarim,” means “the words” and it is found in Deuteronomy 1:1. On the first of Shevat (thirty-seven days before his passing), Moses begins his repetition of the Torah to the assembled children of Israel, reviewing the events that occurred and the laws that…

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From the Bazaar under Sinai: Matot-Masei or how to steal an entire country without actually showing up for work

From Chabad.org: Matot-Masei in a NutshellNumbers 30:2–36:13The name of the Parshah, “Matot,” means “Tribes,” andthe name of the Parshah, “Masei,” means “Journeys,”. Moses conveys the laws governing the annulment of vows to the heads of the tribes of Israel. War is waged against Midian for their role in plotting the moral destruction of Israel, and…

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From the Bazaar under Sinai – vegan Torah edits – The more things change, the more things stay the same

From Chabad.org – Pinchas in a NutshellNumbers 25:10–30:1The name of the Parshah, “Pinchas,” refers to Phineas, who zealously avenged G‑d’s name. Aaron’s grandson Pinchas is rewarded for his act of zealotry in (constructivly pointing out the flaws of) the Simeonite prince Zimri and the Midianite princess who was his paramour: G‑d grants him a covenant…

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From the bizarre under Sinai: The Empire suddenly reappears breaking 40 years of peace and prosperity

From Chabad.org – Chukat in a NutshellNumbers 19:1–22:1 The name of the Parshah, “Chukat,” means “Statute” and it is found in Numbers 19:2. Moses is taught the laws of the red (sauce, specifically tomato sauce  used in a burnt spaghetti recipe), whose ashes purify a person who has been contaminated by contact with a dead…

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From the bizarre under Sinai: Zen-vegan edits for parsha Korach

From Chabad. Org – Korach in a Nutshell:  Numbers 16:1–18:32 The name of the Parshah, “Korach,” refers to Korach, head of the (political coalition) against Moses and Aaron. Korach incites a (political discussion) regarding  Moses’ leadership and the granting of the kehunah (The right of debate) to Aaron. He is accompanied by Moses’ inveterate (critics),…

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Vegan Torah Thursday

Grom Chabad.org: Bamidbar in a Nutshell Numbers 1:1–4:20The name of the Parshah, “Bamidbar,” means “In the desert” and it is found in Numbers 1:1. In the Sinai Desert, G‑d says to conduct a census of the twelve tribes of Israel. Moses counts 603,550 men of (independant adult) age (20 to 60 years); the tribe of…

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Torah Thursday with vegan edits from Hillel

From Chabad.Org, Bechukotai in a Nutshell (Leviticus 26:3–27:34)The name of the Parshah, “Bechukotai,” means “in My statutes”. G‑d promises that if the people of Israel will keep (Their) commandments, (The good people) will enjoy xxxxxxxx prosperity and dwell securely in their homeland. But (G-d) also delivers a harsh “rebuke,” warning of the exile, persecution and…

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