Shavua tov! This week's Torah portion is Ki Tetzei, which means "when you go forth."

In this week's Torah portion, you might want to notice all the verses that talk about having good friendships. Finding friends for our children is a difficult thing, and it's hard to see our children feeling isolated and lonely.

You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together (Deuteronomy 22:10).

You might enjoy playing some games this week that illustrate how important it is to have good friends. You could have a three-legged race with your shortest child linked to the tallest person in your home. You could also tie your arm to someone else's and try eating a bowl of soup together.

Many people say good friendships and marriages are formed when "opposites attract." The Bible disagrees! The Torah says that we are not to plow with an ox and donkey yoked together. It says that we are not to plant a field with two different types of seed. It says that we aren't to make a garment out of two different types of linen and wool knit together. Each of these commandments illustrates an important principle about relationships.

In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul tells us that these Torah commands symbolize the important prohibition against partnering with unbelievers.

Do not be [yoked] together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Messiah with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).

The world says that a person should marry whomever he or she falls in love with. This is a bad plan. Christians must not consider marriage to someone who is not a believer and follower of Yeshua, one who desires to be obedient to YHVH no matter what. To do so would be to be unevenly yoked. A true disciple of Yeshua should not even consider marrying a marginal believer.

Same thing with friendships, but this can be hard for children to understand. It helps to let your children know that you can sympathize with how they feel.

Work to cultivate a feeling of family unity and fun. Develop loving, close friendships within your own home. Finally, seek at all possible to find local fellowship from believers who are like-minded with your family.