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RABBI STEPHEN EPSTEIN
רבי שמואל בן-יהושע
A MODERN CONSERVATIVE RABBI
Rabbi at Temple Sholom of Ontario
Serving San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, CA and all of Southern California
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D'var Torah for Parashat Ha’azinu 5787
Parashat Ha’azinu 5787 / פָּרָשַׁת הַאֲזִינוּ 19 September 2026 / 8 Tishrei 5787 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Ha’azinu is the 53rd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52 In Ha’azinu (“Listen”) , Moses recites a poem praising God and criticizing the sins of the Israelites. He describes the misfortunes that the Israelites will face and the damage God will ultimately wreak on their oppressors. The portion en

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
6 days ago4 min read


D'var Torah for
Parashat Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת נִצָּבִים־וַיֵּלֶךְ 5 September 2026 / 23 Elul 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Nitzavim-Vayeilech is the 51st and 52nd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30 In Nitzavim (“Standing”), Moses addresses the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of following God’s covenant and of not worshiping other gods. He describes the process of repentance and returning to

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Aug 254 min read


D'var Torah for Parasha Ki Tavo 5786
Parashat Ki Tavo 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא 29 August 2026 / 16 Elul 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Ki Tavo is the 50th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8 Ki Tavo (“When You Come”) opens by describing the ceremony of the first fruit offering (bikkurim) and the declaration made upon the completion of tithing. It concludes with a detailed description of blessings that follow obedience to God’s laws

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Aug 143 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Ki Teitzei 5786
Parashat Ki Teitzei 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תֵצֵא 22 August 2026 / 9 Elul 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Ki Teitzei is the 49th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19 Ki Teitzei (“When You Go Out”) contains numerous laws, more than appear in any other Torah portion. These include laws about the treatment of a captive woman, returning lost objects, forbidden mixtures, the erection of a rooftop fence, rap

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Aug 74 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Shoftim 5786
Parashat Shoftim 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת שׁוֹפְטִים 15 August 2026 / 2 Elul 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Shoftim is the 48th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9 Shoftim (“Judges”) discusses guidelines of leadership, opening with a command to appoint judges and continuing to detail laws of kings, priests, and prophets. It also describes laws relating to cities of refuge for accidental killers, false witne

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Aug 53 min read


D'var Torah for Parashah Re'eh 5786
Parashat Re’eh 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה 8 August 2026 / 25 Av 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Re’eh is the 47th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 Re’eh (“See”) details a series of laws in advance of the Israelites’ entrance into the Land of Israel. These include the obligation to destroy idolatry, laws of tithing and charity, dietary laws, holiday laws, and the prohibition of offering sacrifices out

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jul 293 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Eikev 5786
Parashat Eikev 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת עֵקֶב 1 August 2026 / 18 Av 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Eikev is the 46th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25 In Eikev (“As a Result”), Moses recounts events that happened in the desert, including the manna, the golden calf, and Aaron's death. Moses describes the blessings God will bestow upon the Israelites if they follow God’s law and the punishments they will en

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jul 243 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Vaetchanan 5786
Parashat Vaetchanan 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת וָאֶתְחַנַּן 25 July 2026 / 11 Av 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Vaetchanan is the 45th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11 Vaetchanan (“I Pleaded”) opens as Moses describes his pleading with God to be allowed into the Land of Israel. Moses warns the Israelites not to pursue idolatry and recounts the giving of the Ten Commandments. The portion also contains the Sh

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jul 143 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Devarim 5786
Parashat Devarim 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת דְּבָרִים 18 July 2026 / 4 Av 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Devarim is the 44th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 Devarim (“Words”) is the first Torah portion in the Book of Deuteronomy, the final book of the Torah. In it, Moses recounts events from the Israelites’ travels in the desert, like the appointment of judges, the sin of the spies, and the wars with the Em

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jul 105 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Matot-Masei 5786
Parashat Matot-Masei 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת מַטּוֹת־מַסְעֵי 11 July 2026 / 26 Tamuz 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Matot-Masei is the 42nd and 43rd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Numbers 30:2-36:13 Matot (“Tribes”) opens with laws about vows, and continues to describe the Israelites’ war against the Midianites and the allocation of spoils. The tribes of Reuben and Gad request to dwell outside of the Land of Israel, and Mos

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 305 min read


D'var Torah for Parashah Pinchas 5786
Parashat Pinchas 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת פִּינְחָס 4 July 2026 / 19 Tamuz 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Pinchas is the 41st weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Numbers 25:10-30:1 Pinchas opens with God’s promise of a “covenant of peace” for the zealot Pinchas, followed by a census. The daughters of Tzelofchad request and receive new laws regarding inheritance. God instructs Moses to prepare Joshua for leadership, and God descri

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 243 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Chukat-Balak 5786
Parashat Chukat-Balak 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת חֻקַּת־בָּלָק 27 June 2026 / 12 Tamuz 5786 (Diaspora) 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Chukat-Balak is the 39th and 40th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. This page displays the Diaspora Torah reading for Chukat-Balak 5786. The Israel schedule is used by Jews living in modern Israel. Torah Portion: Numbers 19:1-25:9 Chukat (“Law Of”) opens by describing the process of burning the red heifer and using it

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 154 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Korach 5786
Parashat Korach 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת קֹרַח 20 June 2026 / 5 Tamuz 5786 (Diaspora) 10-MInute Torah on YouTube Parashat Korach is the 38th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. This page displays the Diaspora Torah reading for Korach 5786. The Israel schedule is used by Jews living in modern Israel. Torah Portion: Numbers 16:1-18:32 Parashat Korach recounts the rebellion of Korach (a cousin of Moses and Aaron), Dathan, Abiram, and 250 of their followers.

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 114 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Sh’lach 5786
Parashat Sh’lach 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת שְׁלַח־לְךָ 13 June 2026 / 28 Sivan 5786 (Diaspora) 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Sh’lach is the 37th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. This page displays the Diaspora Torah reading for Sh’lach 5786. The Israel schedule is used by Jews living in modern Israel. Torah Portion: Numbers 13:1-15:41 Shelach (“Send”) tells the story of Israelite spies journeying into Canaan, the negative report they bring back,

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 44 min read


A Tale of Love: Michael Weisser and Larry Trapp
"In 1991, the Grand Dragon of the Nebraska Ku Klux Klan mailed a Jewish family death threats and told them their days were numbered. The father's only response was to start calling the man back and leaving him kind messages. His name is Michael Weisser. He is a cantor - a singer who leads his congregation in prayer at a synagogue. He and his wife Julie have just moved their family to Lincoln, Nebraska, to serve a new community. They are unpacking boxes. They are making plans.

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 24 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Beha’alotcha 5786
Parashat Beha’alotcha 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ 6 June 2026 / 21 Sivan 5786 (Diaspora) 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Beha’alotcha is the 36th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. This page displays the Diaspora Torah reading for Beha’alotcha 5786. The Israel schedule is used by Jews living in modern Israel. Torah Portion: Numbers 8:1-12:16 Beha’alotekha (“When You Raise”) opens with God instructing Moses to inaugurate the Levites for se

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 284 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Nasso 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת נָשׂא
Parashat Nasso 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת נָשׂא 30 May 2026 / 14 Sivan 5786 (Diaspora) 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Nasso is the 35th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. This page displays the Diaspora Torah reading for Nasso 5786. The Israel schedule is used by Jews living in modern Israel. Torah Portion: Numbers 4:21-7:89 Naso (“Take A Census”), the longest portion in the Torah, opens by detailing responsibilities of the Levites. It also describes

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 154 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Behar-Bechukotai 5786
Parashat Behar-Bechukotai 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת בְּהַר־בְּחֻקֹּתַי 9 May 2026 / 22 Iyyar 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Behar-Bechukotai is the 32nd and 33rd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-27:34 Behar (“On The Mountain”) details the laws of the sabbatical year (Shemita), when working the land is prohibited and debts are forgiven. It also sets out laws of indentured servitude and of the Jubilee year (Yovel),

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 274 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Emor 5786
Parashat Emor 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת אֱמוֹר 2 May 2026 / 15 Iyyar 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Emor is the 31st weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Leviticus 21:1-24:23 Emor (“Say”) opens with laws regulating priestly behavior, working in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), and consuming sacrifices and priestly food. It describes the biblical holidays of Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, and ends with a story ab

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 223 min read


D'var Torah for Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim 5786
Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת אַחֲרֵי מוֹת־קְדֹשִׁים 25 April 2026 / 8 Iyyar 5786 10-Minute Torah on YouTube Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim is the 29th and 30th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-20:27 Achrei Mot (“After The Death”) opens by describing the ritual service of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It then details the prohibitions of offering sacrifices outside of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 175 min read
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