August 6/7 Torah
Re’eh, Deuteronomy (Devarim) 11:26-16:17
Haftarah: Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 54:11-55:5
Lots of verses related to Kashrut- keeping kosher, especially with food. What animals are, what aren’t? Even when they are, what do we have to do to make them Kosher? Many Reform Jews don’t keep kosher. But, I think it would be important and spiritually honest for us to learn about all that goes into keeping a kosher home. You may have noticed in the news recently that a kosher slaughtering house was raided by immigration officials. Leaving aside my feelings about our current administration’s approach to immigrants who are brown- in this case my issue is the mistreatment of known undocumented workers at the kosher plant. Keeping kosher transcends the way you slaughter... other ethical rules apply as well.

August 13/14 Torah
Shoftim, Deuteronomy (Devarim) 16:18-21:9
Haftarah: Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 51:12-52:12
“Justice, justice you shall pursue!” We read this in our Parashah. The essence of what our ingrained Jewish covenantal responsibility to engage in Social Justice, to engage in Tikkun Olam- to repair our world. The root of our word also means righteousness. The word Tzedakah derives from this root. So does the word Tzaddik- the Hasidic concept of the righteous leader. Does it sound different if you say “Righteousness, righteous you shall pursue!”?

August 20/21 Torah
Ki Tetze, Deuteronomy (Devarim) 21:10-25:19
Haftarah: Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 54:1-10
We read in this week’s Parashah that you must build a parapet on your roof. Why? If someone falls off your roof and you didn’t you are liable! Remember that in the ancient Near East they went up to the roof at night to cool off on the hot summer nights. Roofs were flat. But, remember that it is God that demands you protect others. Safety at home and work are not just nice things to do... they are righteous and holy acts.

August 27/28 Torah: Ki Tavo, Deuteronomy (Devarim) 26:1-29:8
Haftarah: Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 60:1-22
Moses tells the people that when they enter the Land of Israel- remember to give thanks for all that happened, for all who came before you that allowed you to be entering the Land of Promise. How often do we pause and remember those upon whose shoulders we stand. Who we are continually becoming is due not just the genetic code you inherited, but also the cultural traditions passed on. You receive intelligence through inheritance and extelligence through all you have learned within family, culture and Judaism. You can’t do it alone- ever.