Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Genesis (Bere''shit) Bere''shit: A Fence Too Tall Noa?: Human Nature Lekh Lekha: Making Souls Va-yera'': Loving One Another H?ayyei Sarah: Sarah''s Tent Toledot: The Voice of Jacob Va-yetse'': The Place Va-yishlah?: Jacob''s Dilemma Va-yeshev: Joseph the Youth Mikkets: The Dangers of Power Va-yiggash: Learning with a Sage Va-yeh?i: No Unworthy Children 2. Exodus (Shemot) Shemot: Where Was God? Va-''era'': Steeped in Idolatry Bo'': Divine Protection Be-shallah?: A Surfeit of Prayer Yitro: Diminishing the Image Mishpatim: Mitzvot with Meaning Terumah: Creating the Sanctuary Tetsavveh: For Whom the Light Burns Ki Tissa'': Sin and Reconciliation Va-yak''hel: Enough Gold Pekudei: A Symbol to the Nations of Forgiveness 3. Leviticus (Va-yikra'') Va-yikra'': Sacrifices Then and Now Tsav: Concern for Our Welfare Shemini: Alien Fire Tazria'': Dealing with Impurity Metsora'': Speaking Evil ''Ah?arei Mot: Attaining Atonement Kedoshim: The Essence of Torah ''Emor: Am I a Barbarian? Be-har: Do No Wrong Be-h?ukkotai: The Hope 4. Numbers (Be-midbar) Be-midbar: Surviving the Wilderness Naso'': Great Is Peace Be-ha''alotekha: The Evil Tongue Shela?-Lekha: Fringe Benefits Korah?: Controversies Proper and Improper H?ukkat: A Perplexing Law Balak: The Ways of Peace Pinh?as: Respecting Difference Mattot: People before Wealth Mase''ei: Defiling the Land 5. Deuteronomy (Devarim) Devarim: Words of Rebuke Va-''eth?annan: The Grace of God ''Ekev: Searching for Truth Re''eh: One Sanctuary for the One God Shofetim: Justice for All Ki Tetse'': Cruelty versus Kindness Ki Tavo'': Coming to the Land Nitsavim: Not in the Heavens Va-yelekh: Caring for the Flock Ha''azinu: Destruction, Vengeance, and Vindication Ve-zo''t ha-berakhah: The Death of Moses 6. Holidays Rosh Hashanah: Sound the Shofar Yom Kippur: Sending Our Sins Away Sukkot: The Festival Par Excellence Shemini Atzeret: Tarry a While Simchat Torah: The Never-Ending Cycle Hanukkah: Light versus Might Purim: Why Not Bow Down? Pesach: Festival of Freedom Yom ha-Shoah: The Cry of the Lowly Yom ha-Atzmaut: Land of Milk and Honey Shavuot: The New Covenant Selected Bibliography.