Be prepared to fight the fight.

Published: Tue, 07/29/25

Updated: Wed, 07/30/25

"At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. The Lord your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!"

Deuteronomy 1:9-11

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Hi friend,

This coming Shabbat's Torah portion, read on Saturday, Aug 2nd, is Parashat Devarim. This week's reading begins the Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Five Books of Moses. Moses begins his final monologue, five weeks before his passing. He recounts the story of the Israelite's travel through the desert, placing emphasis on, and rebuking them for, the story of the spies. He describes Israel's conquest of the Emorites and the Bashanites.

Join the 6th Annual Nations 9th of Av Virtual Event on August 3, a free 10-hour online gathering tackling Christian antisemitism with top voices from Israel and the U.S. under the theme “The War for Zion.” Read more below.

Please enjoy this teaching of our beloved Root Source teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of blessed memory, about this week's Torah portion, Devarim, and share your thoughts with us!

Participate in our enlightening lesson Teacher Seth Young talked about Genesis 1:29, Part 1. Watch it below.

Take part in the inspiring lesson Introduction to Jewish Prayer Part 2 with Teacher Gidon Ariel. Learn more below.

Check below to hear what Gidon Ariel and Jason Caplan have to share.

We sign off with a nice comment and a beautiful photo of the Sea of Galilee.

Shalom,

Gidon Ariel and Bob O’Dell
Root Source Founders

Parashat Devarim

The Israelites are situated on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, on the verge of entering the land of Canaan, and Moses’ death is imminent. This is the setting for Moses’ final statements to the nation he lovingly tended for four decades. After delivering a veiled rebuke to the nation for their many past misdeeds, Moses revisits the period, some 39 years earlier, before the Israelites left Mount Sinai at G‑d‘s behest, with the intention of immediately invading and entering Canaan. At that time, Moses expressed to the Jews his inability to single-handedly bear the burden of leadership, because “G‑d, has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the heavens in abundance.”

TFTN Nations' Ninth of Av Event - Aug 3rd: “THE WAR FOR ZION: Uniting a Divided House”

Join the 6th Annual Nations 9th of Av Virtual Event on Sunday, August 3 (12:00–10:00 PM EDT), hosted by Ten From The Nations, with the theme “The War for Zion: Uniting a Divided House.” This free, ten-hour online gathering will address the rise of antisemitism—especially within Christian communities—featuring top speakers from Israel and the U.S., and a special opening simulcast with Jeremy Gimpel and Ari Abramowitz. Topics include Christian antisemitism, digital hostility, spiritual burnout, and practical steps toward reconciliation and unity.

Learn here

Parashat Devarim: Eikah; From Isolation to Integration The Evolution of Jewish Communal Responsibility

There is a profound connection between three occurrences of “eikha” (how) during the week of Parashat Devarim: Moses’ lament in the Torah portion, Isaiah’s rebuke in the haftara, and Jeremiah’s mourning in Lamentations. While “eikha” is normally a neutral word meaning “how,” it has taken on a specific connotation of sorrow and pain, becoming central to expressions of mourning and lamentation. Rabbi Steinsaltz z”l argues that Moses’ complaint “How (eikha) can I myself alone bear your trouble, your burden, and your strife” wasn’t about leadership being difficult, but about the isolation of bearing responsibility alone. Despite the wilderness generation having experienced God’s voice directly at Sinai and containing many individuals worthy of prophecy, they remained passive recipients who were content to let Moses handle everything while they avoided real involvement in communal affairs.

Watch the video

Genesis 1:29, Part 1

Instant Biblical Hebrew, Lesson 41, Part 1: Wk48 Bereisheet (Genesis) 1:29

Learn here

Introduction to Jewish Prayer Part 2

Jewish prayer consists of Praise, Requests and Thanksgiving and the morning prayer takes about 45 minutes to pray. Gidon explains that this morning prayer is like a journey to climb a mountain. In this lesson Gidon introduces us to the various sections that comprise the morning prayer and tells us what happens at the peak of the mountain.

Learn here

Conversations:
Gidon Ariel and Jason Caplan - July 23, 2025

On July 23, Gidon Ariel and Jason Caplan discussed Israel’s first Knesset vote in 66 years to apply sovereignty to Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley, highlighting the efforts of the Sovereignty Movement. They also touched on growing antisemitism in the West, global support for Israel, and Jason’s Bridge Institute—a cross-cultural music project now in 13 countries. Gidon introduced Root Source’s initiative to translate 100 Holocaust survivor autobiographies and invited sponsorship.

Watch the video

Comments

We get so many comments!
Here is one from Richard Marsters on
Bob O'Dell interview with First Century Foundations

"I love hearing a conversation displaying total agreement with the council of Elohim’s Eternal Word!"

Sea of Galilee

Enjoy this photo taken in Sea of Galilee by Daniel Balaure.

Blessings and Shalom,
Bob and Gidon

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Be prepared to fight the fight.

Parashat Devarim

TFTN Nations' Ninth of Av Event - Aug 3rd: “THE WAR FOR ZION: Uniting a Divided House”

Parashat Devarim: Eikah; From Isolation to Integration The Evolution of Jewish Communal Responsibility

Genesis 1:29, Part 1

Introduction to Jewish Prayer Part 2

Conversations: Gidon Ariel and Jason Caplan - July 23, 2025

Conversations:
Gidon Ariel and Jason Caplan - July 23, 2025