These are the commandments that God gave Moses for the Israelite people on Mount Sinai (Leviticus 27:33) Parashat B’chukotai closes out the book of Leviticus with a list of blessings … Continued
A Sudden Change of Mood
Last Monday, Israel and the Jewish world observed Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s national Remembrance Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism, and ceremonies nationwide honored the 22,867 servicemen and victims … Continued
Parashat B’har (Leviticus 25:1-26:2)
“But in the seventh year the land shall have a Sabbath of complete rest, a Sabbath of the Lord…” (Leviticus 25:4) Zionism and the creation of the State of Israel … Continued
Parashat Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23)
“You shall take choice flour and bake of it twelve loaves, two-tenths of a measure for each loaf.” (Leviticus 24:5) The American sociologist William Graham Sumner coined the term folkways … Continued
Parashat Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1-20:27)
“Do not hate your brother/sister in your heart; you shall rebuke your neighbor but bear no sin because of him/her.” – Leviticus 19:17 Parashat Kedoshim (kedoshim is the plural of … Continued
Shabbat Chol Hamoed Pesach (The Intermediate Shabbat of Passover)(Exodus 33:12-34:26)
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth–for thy love is better than wine. (Song of Songs 1:2) Because this Shabbat falls during Pesach, the normal cycle of … Continued
A View from Jerusalem
In just a few days, the Jewish world will read the following words from the Haggadah: “For not just one alone has risen against us to destroy us, but in … Continued
Parashat Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:27)
“For on this day expiation shall be made for you to purify you of all your sins; you shall be pure before the Lord” (Leviticus 16:30) Parashat Acharei Mot begins … Continued
Parashat Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33)
“When you enter the land of Canaan that I give you as a possession, and I inflict an eruptive plague upon a house in the land you possess, the owner … Continued
Parashat Tazria (Leviticus 12:1-13:59)
“…The priest shall make expiation on her behalf, and she shall be pure.” (Leviticus 12:8) Parashat Tazria catalogues a variety of skin abnormalities that need to be examined by the … Continued