“So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls wrapped in their cloaks upon their shoulders.” (Exodus 12:34) Because the first day of Pesach falls on … Continued
Reaching the moon and beyond…
Reaching the moon and beyond… Tomorrow night the Jewish people will gather around festive Pesach Seder tables and recite from the Haggadah: “In every generation, a person is obligated to … Continued
Parashat Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33)
“And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand” (Leviticus 14:26). Parashat Metzora opens by stating, “This shall be the teaching of the … Continued
Parashat Tazria (Leviticus 12:1-13:59)
“When the plague of tzara-at is in a man, he shall be brought to the priest” (Leviticus 12:9). Parashat Tazria declares a woman who gives birth to be t’mei-a, ritually … Continued
Parashat Sh’mini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)
“On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel” (Leviticus 9:1). Parashat Sh’mini includes the first of two major collections of dietary laws in … Continued
Representing Jewish Identity in the U.S. Military
JWB Jewish Chaplains Council hosted in our New York offices its annual Chaplain and Lay Leader Training Course. Of all the agencies that endorse chaplains for the United States military … Continued
Parashat Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36)
“This is the ritual of the reparation offering: it is most holy.” (Leviticus 7:1) Parashat Tzav describes the duties of the kohanim (priests) for performing each of the sacrifices listed … Continued
Solidarity is Our Response to Hate
On Friday, two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand became the latest target of murderous hate and bigotry. The death toll from this violent attack has risen to 50, with countless … Continued
From Sorrow to Joy
“The month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day.” As the Jewish world prepares for Purim’s festivities and joy, I want … Continued
Parashat Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26)
“The Priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord, in front of the curtain of the Shrine” (Leviticus 4:6). Anyone … Continued