“And the priest shall offer then, one for sin offering and the other for a burn offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord…” (Leviticus 15:15) … Continued
Parashat Tazria
“On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (Leviticus 12:3) Parashat Tazria describes the practices a woman who has given birth must follow. She may not … Continued
Parashat Sh’mini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)
“Fire came forth from before God and consumed the burnt offering and the fat parts on the altar. And all the people saw, and shouted, and fell upon their faces.” … Continued
Parashat Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36)
“This is the law of the guilt offering; it is most holy.” (Leviticus 7:1) Parashat Tzav describes how to offer the sacrifices listed in last week’s parasha (portion) and concludes … Continued
Parashat Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26)
“The priest shall provide him atonement before Adonai, and it shall be forgiven him for any of the things he might do to incur guilt.” (Leviticus 5:26) Parashat Vayikra opens … Continued
Parashat Vayakhel-P’kudei (Exodus 35:1-40:38)
“The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and the glory of Adonai filled the Tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34) Parashat P’kudei completes the description of the construction and assembly of the mishkan, … Continued
A View from Jerusalem – March 2016
Today is the first of the Hebrew month of Adar, the month associated more than any other with joy and happiness. And in two weeks, our joy increases when we celebrate Purim, which presents our Jewish story in a nutshell: In the year 482 B.C.E., the Jews of the Persian Empire faced death, decreed by King Achashverosh, for not assimilating. “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the other people in all the provinces of your realm, whose laws are different from those of any other people and who do not obey the king’s laws and it is not in your majesty’s interest to tolerate them.” (Megillat Esther 3:9). The plot, instigated by Haman, the king’s evil vizier, urged the people to initiate a bloodbath and to loot and kill the Jews on the 15th day of the month of Adar.
Parashat Vayakhel-P’kudei (Exodus 35:1-40:38)
“The leaders brought the shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the ephod and the breastplate.” (Exodus 35:27) Last week, Moses explains to God why it would be … Continued
Parashat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)
“God said, “My Presence will go with you and I will accede to your request.” (Exodus 33:14) God is a slow learner. Fortunately, Moses is an excellent teacher who does … Continued
Parashat T’tzaveh (Exodus 27:30-30:10)
“And you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the Children of Israel.” (Exodus 28:9) When Shakespeare has Polonius advise his son Laertes, “Clothes make … Continued