It is that time of year, when we Jews celebrate yet another victory over oppression. The famous, but somewhat out of place story about how the Jewish queen of a Persian king saved her people from doom at the hands of a wicked minister, thanks to the advice of her uncle. We can draw an important parallel from this story to the Iran of today that many Jews have forgotten about over the past decades.
Esther Denouncing Haman, by Ernest Normand (1888)
Parashah Vayeira (Bereishit/Genesis 18:1-22:24) is the story of Abraham and the three messengers, his bargaining with God, Sodom and Gomorrah, the birth of Isaac, the sending off of Hagar and Ishmael, and the binding of Isaac.
Abraham pleaded with God on Sodom’s behalf by Jim Padgett (1984)
Parashah Lekh Lekha (Bereishit/Genesis 12:1–17:27) is the story of Abram, his journey to Canaan, his nephew Lot, a war between kings, the first covenant between God and Abram, the issues with Sarai and Hagar, Abram being renamed Abraham, and the circumcision.
Abraham Circumcises the Males of His House by Gerard Hoet (1728)
This Shabbat, the parashah was Noah (Bereishit/Genesis 6:9-11:32). This is the story of the flood, the curse of Ham, the origins of various peoples, the Tower of Babel, and the beginnings of Abram (Abraham).
Landschaft mit dem Dankopfer Noahs by Joseph Anton Koch (c. 1803)
This parashah, Matoth (Bemidbar/Numbers 30:2–32:42) is the penultimate parashah of Bemidbar and is sometimes combined with the subsequent one, Mase`ei. This is the story of the importance of spoken promises or vows, the attack against the Midianites, the disobedience by the soldiers to Moses, the cleansing after war, the inventorying of spoils, and the agreement that Gadites and Re’uvenites could settle east of the Jordan if they provided troops in war.
Reuben and Gad Ask for Land by Arthur Boyd Houghton
I am two Shabbats behind, but I intend to make them up anyway. Two Shabbats ago, the parashah was Pinehas (Bemidbar/Numbers 25:10–30:1). This is the story of the inheritance of the priesthood, the revenge against the Midianites, a second census, the divisions of land, questions of inheritance, the succession of Moshe, and what offerings are to be made every year.
This coming Shabbat, the parashah is Balaq (Bemidbar/Numbers 22:2–25:9). This is the story of Balaq, king of Moav, who wants to attack the Israelites. He consults the foreign prophet Bil`am for help in cursing Israel so they can be defeated, but God says to Bil`am that Israel is blessed. Balaq reluctantly accepts the futility of his plan. Finally, the camped Israelites whore out with Midianite women and are punished.
Bil`am and the messengers from the Holman Bible (1890)
This past Shabbat, the parashah was Huqath (Bemidbar/Numbers 19:1-22:1). This is the story of the red heifer, the striking of the rock that kept Moshe and Aharon out of Israel, the death of Aharon and ascension of his son El`azar, and the attempted passing thru a few kingdoms.
The Conquest of the Amorites by James Tissot (c. 1900)
This past Shabbat, the parashah was Bereishit (Bereishit/Genesis 1:1-6:8). This is the story of creation and the first humans, up to Noach and the prologue to the flood.
The Garden of Eden by Cole Thomas (1828)