“As a Jew I am aware of how important the existence of Israel is for the survival of us all. And because I am proud of being Jewish, I am … Continued
Pluralism, acceptance, love and hope
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Parashat Sh’lach L’cha (Numbers 13:1-15:41)
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“They went up and scouted the land, from the wilderness of Zin to Rechov, at Levo Chamat.” (Numbers 13:21) Sh’lach L’cha is a fateful parasha (portion). God tells Moses, “Sh’lach … Continued
Parashat B’ha-alot’cha (Numbers 8:1-12:16)
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“Aaron did so; he mounted the lamps at the front of the menorah, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Numbers 8:3) Parashat B’ha-a lot’cha describes the Israelites’ departure from Mt. … Continued
Parashat Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89)
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“The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace.” (Numbers 6:26) Yehuda Kurtzer (president of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America) likes to say ancient texts are … Continued
Parashat Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20)
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“Those are the elected of the assembly, the chieftains of their ancestral tribes: they are the heads of the contingents of Israel.” (Numbers 1:16) Parashat Bamidbar opens the fourth book … Continued
Parashat B’har-B’chukotai (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)
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“I will remember in their favor the covenant with the ancients, whom I freed from the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God; I, … Continued
The Beauty of Jerusalem
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The Talmud teaches, “Ten measures of beauty descended on the world, nine were taken by Jerusalem, one by the rest of the world.” Years later, Mark Twain said, “There is … Continued
Parashat Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23)
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“So Moses declared to the Israelites the set times of the Lord.” (Leviticus 23:44) Parashat Emor addresses issues of k’dusha, or sanctity. It focusses first on the priests (sanctified people) … Continued
Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27)
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“You shall not render an unfair decision: do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich; judge your kinsman fairly.” (Leviticus 19:15) We read two parashot (portions) this … Continued
Parashat Tazria-Metzora (Leviticus 12:1-13:59)
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“The priest shall order two live clean birds, cedar wood, crimson stuff, and hyssop to be brought for him who is to be cleansed.” (Leviticus 14:4) We read two parashot … Continued