Pardes Shabbat Table

Long ago our sages realized that the Torah is very much like a beautiful orchard. From a distance,
you may see only clump of trees. Closer you notice leaves, blossoms and even fruit in the trees. Even closer
you may be able to tell what kinds of fruits or nuts are on the trees. Standing under, or going up into an
individual tree you may take a fruit to enjoy the way it smell, feels and even peel or crack it to see how it
tastes. Just like the orchard looks like only a mass of trees at a distance, there are layers upon layers of
wonderful things concealed inside.
Each weekly Torah portion includes many multiple layers of stories, themes, and interpretations.
The blossoms may be important to discuss one year, the next year the relationship of the trees to each other.
Each year, depending on events and people at the table, a different approach will be needed to understand
and explain the parasha. Just like an orchard grows and matures, so do our understandings of the parashot.
In preparing for the upcoming Shabbat table, we share 1] the title of the parsha and a citation so that
you may find the full text in your own copy of the Torah; 2] a couple of paragraphs about the theme for the
portion; 3] an excerpt from the Torah text that will be the focus of discussion; 4] a short drash (teaching) on
the text; 5] two or three questions for children; and 6] a suggestion for deeper study geared toward
sophisticated learners and those who wish to spend more time on the topic.
Suggested Shabbat Table Format:
Try to plan for the same time each week.
This varies widely, but many will put coins in the family tzedakah box, light the candles, blessings over
the children, blessings over the wine, blessings over the bread, serve the meal, discuss the parsha while
eating, and conclude the meal with blessings or Shabbat songs.
You will need a Chumash (book containing the Torah text in Hebrew and English), and other
commentary or websites useful to supplement these commentaries.
Sources for good Torah commentaries adapted from Rabbi Loucheim:
Torah: A Modern Commentary (Reform)
Eitz Hayim: Torah and Commentary (Conservative)
Sparks Beneath the Surface: A Spiritual Commentary on the Torah, by Larry Kushner & Kerry Olitzky
The Bedside Torah:Wisdom, Visions, and Dreams, by Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson
The Womens Torah Commentary: New Insights from Women Rabbis on the 54 Weekly Portions
The Modern Mens Torah Commentary: New Insights from Jewish Men on the 54 Weekly Portions
The Image of God: A Feminist Commentary on the Torah, by Judith S. Antonelli
Essential Torah: A Complete Guide to the Five Books of Moses, by George Robinson
Voices of Torah: A Treasury of Rabbinic Gleanings on the Weekly Portions, Holidays and Special Shabbatot
(Reform)
Pardes Institute Recordings: http://elmad.pardes.org/podcast-archive/2014-2/ (neo-Hassid)
Chabad, JPS and Rashi: http://www.chabad.org/parshah/otherparshas_cdo/aid/9175/jewish/All-Parshahs.htm