This week, so near the end of the annual cycle of Torah readings, we go back to the book of Exodus to read part of Ki Tisa for the Shabbat falling during Sukkot. This is a very action packed reading but we skip most of the action to focus on a unique passage, unlike any other in the Torah. After the crisis of the golden calf, God is very angry with the Israelites and refuses to lead them any further on their journey from slavery to freedom. It will be up to Moses to lead them himself.

by Debbie Weinstein Moses makes his last address to the Jewish people, in the form of a poem Shirat Haazinu in Deuteronomy 32:1-52. In this poem Moses addresses the heavens and earth “Give ear, O heavens let me speak; / Let earth hear the words I utter!” (Deuteronony 32:1). He uses these words to try to express his frustration with the Israelites, with their failing. He tells them that God’s love nurtured them and instead of honoring God “They forsook the God who made them/ And spurned the Rock of their support” (Deuteronony 32:15).

One of the first times I ever chanted Torah for our congregation, it was from this week’s portion, Nitzavim: "You stand this day, all of you, before the Eternal your God – you tribal heads, you elders, and you officials, all the men of Israel, you children, you women, even the stranger within your camp, from wood chopper to water drawer – to enter into the covenant of the Eternal your God, which the Eternal your God is concluding with you this day . . . not with you alone, but both with those who are standing here with us this day before our God and with those who are not with us here this day" (Deuteronomy 29:9-14).

by Sharon Benoff Change. Transition. This is the season that is upon us. This is the season that we welcome both as individuals and as an organization. This past year, we moved into a new era at Women of Reform Judaism, one that welcomes both women's groups and individuals in the Reform Jewish community, a new era of change and inclusivity.

by Marina Polinovsky This weekly Torah portion is bursting at the seams with commandments. Many of those commandments shed light on gender relations and the place of women in society, in ancient Israel and in the modern world. In this commentary I would like to delve into an in-depth discussion of one of those commandments: Deuteronomy 24:8-9.

by Diane Pont With the campaigns for the U.S. Presidential general election well under way, we are certainly witnessing a political season like no other. Between the multitude of surrogate speeches given at the Democratic and Republican national conventions and the candidates’ speeches and rallies, we see two completely divergent visions for America’s future.

Count Your Blessings... Leave Your "Curses" Behind by Dana Adler Parashat Re’eh begins with the word “re’eh” or “see” rather than “sh’ma” or “listen.” According to commentary, Torah indicates that blessings and curses are choices. The interpretation is each of us must “see” for ourselves and make the decision to obey the commandments or not.

by Edith Caplan The children of Israel have come to the end of their journey, and are about to face a new challenge – they stand on the brink of the land promised to them by God. However, the land is occupied by other peoples. How are they to prevail against the inhabitants, and once they have occupied the land, how can they ensure their survival, both materially and spiritually?

By Nanci Pompan This parashah finds the Israelites about to enter the Promised Land after wandering through the desert for forty years following their flight from Egypt. The word “Va-et’chanan” means “I pleaded” which refers to Moses who pleaded with God to be allowed to go forward with his people. God emphatically tells Moses not to beseech him again and, instead, tells him to go to the top of Pisgah and look over the land that he will not be able to enter. Moses is told to instruct Joshua who will take over as leader and “imbue him with strength and courage”. (Deut 3:28)