Torah portion Ki Teitzei

Myth Busting the Virgin Birth This week’s Torah portion Ki Teitzei (Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19), describes a marriage when a husband suspects his wife of infidelity and claims she was not a virgin. The Hebrew word for virgin is “betulah” and refers to a woman of any age “who was never intimate with a man” (Genesis 19:8). Therefore, the Torah describes hymenal bleeding as “evidence of her virginity” (Deuteronomy 22:20). Similarly, God wants us to demonstrate our spiritual fidelity with unfalterin

The approaching High Holidays are an opportunity to rejuvenate our spiritual connection with the Almighty. A high point in this process is singing the Avenu Malkanu prayer and proclaiming that God is our Father and King, and we are God’s children and servants. This hymn reflects the verse, “to Me the children of Israel are servants” (Leviticus 25:55). The Torah describes our relationship with God in many other ways, including a husband and wife.  As is says, “your Maker is your husband” (Isaia