Weekly Torah Portion: Man Plans and God Laughs

The following is a taste of our Israel Bible Reading Plan. Follow the weekly portion with summaries, insights and lively conversation. To register, click here. Last week’s portion ended with a cliff-hanger, as Joseph called for Benjamin’s servitude. This week’s...

Weekly Torah Portion: The Descent into Egypt

This week’s portion begins in the middle of the story of the final confrontation between Joseph and his brothers, before Joseph reveals himself to them.  At the end of last week’s portion, we heard Joseph’s cruel accusations and Judah’s failed attempts to appease...

Joseph and the Famine

The Torah details Joseph’s administrative work. As people come from across Egypt and Canaan to buy bread, Joseph amasses great wealth for Pharaoh. When the people run out of money for food, he accepts livestock as payment. When even that is diminished, he takes their...

Jacob Descends to Egypt

Jacob sets out for Egypt, stopping in Beersheba on the way. There, God addresses him, reassuring him not to fear the descent to Egypt, for there He will make them a great nation. The Israel Bible remarks on the use of the word ‘descent’, which serves as a reminder...