“And you must teach the Israelites all the laws which the Lord has imparted to them through Moses.” (Leviticus 10:11) Parashat Sh’mini is a bit of a shocker. After seven … Continued
The ways we remember
“We are still here. And no matter what, we shall continue to be here to tell people so they can learn from our history.” Elie Wiesel At exactly 10 a.m. … Continued
Last Day of Pesach (Passover) (Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17)
“After eating unleavened bread six days, you shall hold a solemn gathering for the Lord your God on the seventh day; you shall do no work.” (Deuteronomy 16:8) The last … Continued
First Day of Pesach (Passover) (Exodus 12:21-51)
“You shall observe this as an institution for all time, for you and for your descendants.” (Exodus 12:24) Because the first day of Pesach falls on Shabbat, the regular cycle … Continued
Parashat Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36)
“A continuous fire shall burn upon the altar; it shall not go out.” (Leviticus 6:6) Parashat Tzav is a little bit of déjà vu, all over again. It describes the … Continued
Parashat Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26)
“The priest shall turn these into smoke on the altar as food, an offering by fire, of pleasing odor.” (Leviticus 3:10) Vayikra, (and “____” called out) is the very first … Continued
Israel’s Elections for the 20th Knesset
Yesterday, almost 72 percent of nearly six million eligible Israeli voters demonstrated their most basic democratic privilege to influence Israel’s future by voting for the twentieth Knesset (Israeli parliament). A … Continued
Parashat Vayakhel-P’kudei (Exodus 35:1-40:38)
“In the first month of the second year, on the first of the month, the Tabernacle was set up.” (Exodus 40:17) We read two parashot (portions) this week because of … Continued
Parashat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)
“The tablets were God’s work, and the writing was God’s writing.” (Exodus 32:16) Parashat Ki Tisa is either the beginning of the end, or merely the continuation of an ongoing … Continued
Parashat T’tzaveh (Exodus 27:30-30:10)
“And there I will meet with the Israelites, and it shall be sanctified by My Presence.” (Exodus 29:43) Parashat T’tzaveh is the only parasha, or portion, in the Torah that … Continued