Shabbat Shalom from Shmuel!

When Jacob flees his family’s home, he leaves with nothing to his name. He does, however, have three qualities that see him through life’s challenges: A love of justice, loyalty, and an understanding of life’s complexities. Jacob knew that life could be full of sorrows. However, throughout his colorful life, Jacob always looked to the future, to the building of the House of God, and to the growing...

Genesis is filled with stories of first-born sons who are rejected in favor of their younger brothers. This week Esau and Jacob put their cards on the table and ask, “Who really is the first-born?” An impulsive hunter opposes his scholarly brother, and the results affect us even today. Shabbat Shalom! Click here to watch on YouTube.

In this week’s Torah portion, Abraham's servant searches for a wife for Isaac. We read of his encounter with Rebecca at the well three times: as the servant is praying, as it happens, and as the servant recounts the tale to Rebecca’s family. Why is this story told three times? The sages tell us that sometimes, more can be learned from the conversation of the patriarchs and matriarchs than from the...

The roots of history’s oldest rivalry are found in the week’s Torah portion! This story begins with Sarah who believes that Abraham’s line will continue through her maid, Hagar. Hagar quickly turns to Sarah with scorn, an attitude she passes onto her son Ishmael, who in turn scorns his brother Isaac. Laughter, scorn, and cynicism are woven throughout this story, but so are God’s mercy and promise....

This week we start the journey of Abraham as he is called by God to “Go forth”. Abraham is often compared to Noah. At the beginning of last week’s portion, Noah was introduced as a righteous man. But what about Abraham’s background? Who was he? The Midrash provides details for the early life of Abraham before he is called forth. One commentary explains that Abraham has no background story because...

Welcome to a new Torah portion series from our brand-new studio! Click here to watch on YouTube. This week we dive into the story of Noh and the flood. We can conclude from this story that a righteous person has the power to save himself. But this isn’t always enough. There is some criticism leveled at Noah, who saved himself and his family but no one else. What was he doing while building the ark...

Last year, I recorded the Torah portion Bereisheet a day after the 7th of October massacre, and you can see I had no idea what was about to come. Click here to watch on YouTube . Attached to this episode is the audio recording from last year. A year has passed, and we find ourselves still in the midst of conflict. Change is not just needed—it’s essential. Now, as we begin the cycle of Bereisheet a...

Note: The audio mp3 attached is not related to this week's Shabbat Shalom. Please click the link to watch Sondra share on Sukkot on YouTube. This week is the holiday of Succot, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the middle of Sukkot falls on Shabbat, so once again the regular Torah reading is suspended and a special portion for the holiday is read instead. We read from Exodus, Chapter 33. The section d...

The holy day of Yom Kippur begins tonight at sundown. Enjoy these thoughts on the weekly Torah portion and on the significance of Yom Kippur. To those who are observing we wish you a meaningful fast. May you be sealed in the Book of Life, for good! https://youtu.be/E-d778-wIK0 https://youtu.be/xzTbX7T2WcA https://cfoic.com/yom-kippur-2024/ ** The mp3 is not for this week's torah portion. The links...

Here is the Shabbat Shalom from last week. Sorry that it's late. It's also a link to a YouTube video that Sondra Baras did for this torah portion.  Watch Now>> *The mp3 is the week's prior portion. We have arrived at the final portion in the Torah! Join CFOIC's International President Sondra Oster Baras for a teaching on the portion of Ha'azinu. Shabbat Shalom!

This is it! We read this portion near the end of the Torah as the year draws to a close. This week we read two portions together, Nitzavim and Vayelech. In this portion, Moses reminds the Children of Israel that God’s commandments are not elusive, distant things, but are close to hand, and ready to be pursued. The commands of the Torah are challenging yes, but not overwhelming. Click here to watch...

Portion Ki Tavo opens with a joyful opening “When you enter the Land…” At long last Moses can give his people the instructions for their life in the Promised Land. His instructions regarding the first fruits apply to other areas of life, like new marriages, new homes, and new babies. The Children of Israel are to rejoice in these things but to give thanks to God for them first. Before they build h...

We are winding our way towards the end of the Torah. A strong element in this week’s portion of Ki Tezeh is Rachamim, or mercy. Shmuel is puzzled by a particular verse and hopes to untangle it as he shares his thoughts. Stay tuned for a teaching on birds’ nests, long life and mercy. Shabbat Shalom! Click here to watch on YouTube..

Shmuel has returned home to Israel after his long summer travels and has a teaching to share for this week’s portion, Shoftim. This week’s portion is a serious one that is full of relevant commands, namely: the rules of war. Men who have recently planted vineyard, built a house or become engaged are to be released from military service. Why are these three events so crucial? It’s because these ele...

Portion Re’eh details the covenant between the Children of Israel and God. It admonishes the Children of Israel to guard themselves against pagan practices as they enter the land of Israel. Several times it mentions the place that God chose. What is this place? Jerusalem of course! Join Shmuel for a teaching on correct worship, and the holiness of Jerusalem. Shabbat Shalom! Click here to watch on...

This week marks eleven months on the Hebrew calendar since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Eleven months is the traditional Jewish mourning period. This week’s Torah portion Ekev speaks of future disasters and destructions, many of which feel all too familiar today. This portion also describes the Children of Israel as a “stiff-necked people”. While this description often comes with negativ...

Portion Vaetchanon continues the story of Moses who is unable to enter the Land of Israel. In the English translation of this portion, it almost seems as though Moses blames the Children of Israel for his exclusion from the Land. However, when read in Hebrew, it could be understood that Moses was excluded from the Land for the sake of the Children of Israel. How can that be? And what does this por...

At last, we begin Devarim (Deuteronomy), the final book of the Torah. The portion opens with a painful reminder of the sin of the spies. The sages teach that the day that the spies returned with a bad report was on the 9th of Av, also called Tisha B’Av. Throughout history, many terrible things have befallen the Jewish people on this date, and it is now the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. Such...

This week we’ll explore the double Torah portion of Matot-Masei. This portion will summarize the lessons of Bamidbar (Numbers) before moving on to Deuteronomy and Moshes’ final speech. Vows, personal priorities, and a surprising tribal connection between Reuben, Gad, and Moses are all in store! Shabbat Shalom! Click here to watch on YouTube.

This week’s Torah portion, Pinchas, continues where last week’s portion ended. The Moabites followed the advice of the prophet Bilam and sent women among the Children of Israel to tempt them. Phineas boldly confronted the evil in the midst of the camp and was rewarded with a covenant of peace. The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that Phineas was prepared to sacrifice himself for his people, which was fit...

The Children of Israel’s enemies choose to engage in spiritual warfare after being unable to defeat Israel with swords in Portion Balak. Yet the Prophet Balam is a huge disappointment after he is unable to fulfill his contract to curse Israel. This is a weird story! Click here to watch on YouTube.

This week’s portion, Hukat, is action packed. The red heifer is introduced, Miriam and Aaron both die, and Moses strikes a rock in anger to bring forth water. Moses then faces serious consequences for striking the rock instead of speaking to it. There are so many explanations for this story that Shmuel compiled a list! From the anger of Moses to the red heifers in Shiloh in 2024, Shmuel shares his...

This week we unwind the spectacle of Korach, a cousin to Moses and rebel leader among the children of Israel. Why did this man think he was able to challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron? What was the point of the silly questions he threw at Moses? Shmuel invites you to set aside logic and join him in exploring this fascinating portion. Shabbat Shalom! Click here to watch on YouTube.

Shabbat Shalom. This week's Torah portion Shelach, recounts a dramatic moment in Israel's history: the sin of the spies. This familiar story raises questions, like why did the spies, leaders among the children of Israel, give a bad report? Did the leaders fear that they would lose their closeness to G-d once they entered the Land? Shmuel reveals that the answers to these questions can be found in...

Shabbat Shalom! This week Shmuel shares his thoughts all the way from Inverness, Scotland. Portion Behaalotcha opens with the lighting of the menorah. Shmuel’s ideas on the portion cover obedience, gratitude and the importance of active work and participation. Tune in from wherever you are in the world and enjoy another torah portion from the heartland! Click here to watch on YouTube.