Certain events are so monumental that they are known by the shorthand of the date they occurred —December 7, September 11, October 7. I don’t know whether April 13 will stick, but, in my thinking, it belongs in this category. April 13, 2024, will be remembered as the day that the war between Iran and Continue Reading »
This week’s parashah, Sh’mini (Lev. 9-1 through 11-47), begins on the eighth day, the day after the 7-day ordination of the priests, hence its name. Aaron begins his priestly duties and the Tabernacle’s activities commence. With the priests in place, worship can begin. But in the tragic story that follows, Nadab and Abihu, the two older sons Continue Reading »
Purim is almost here, and we are supposed to be experiencing a rising tide of joy. We have broken out the groggers to read the megillah and blot out the name of Haman, whose evil plot to destroy our people was thwarted. But this year, as 134 men, women and children are still held hostage Continue Reading »
In a commentary on the Book of Exodus, Martin Buber (1) notices something striking about the language used to describe the building of the mishkan, the portable sanctuary the Israelites built and carried with them on their journey to the Promised Land. It mirrors in exact detail the language used to describe God’s creation of the world Continue Reading »
This week’s parashah describes the work of building the mishkan, the Tabernacle that accompanied the Children of Israel on their journey from Sinai to the Promised Land. The project is described here in minute detail, from the materials that were donated, to the details of the structures and adornments that were crafted by the skilled artisans, down Continue Reading »
This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tissa, begins with instructions for how to take a census of the Israelite community. Ki Tissa means “when you count”; the literal translation is “when you lift up [the heads of…].” This is an interesting locution that is similar to our English idiom of taking a head count, but with Continue Reading »
This week’s Torah portion is Tetzaveh, meaning “you shall further instruct.” The further instruction is a reference to last week’s portion, Terumah, in which God gives Moses specific directions for the building of the Mishkan. Having now designed a sanctuary so that God may dwell among the people Israel, it is time to give similarly Continue Reading »
The Israelites, so recently slaves forming muddy clay and straw into bricks under the lash of their Egyptian taskmasters so that grand monuments might be built for the gods of Egypt (including the Pharaoh), are now bidden to offer gold, silver, fine linens and precious jewels to build a portable sanctuary for God. Why? Didn’t Adonai’s presence Continue Reading »
This week’s Torah portion is Mishpatim, an enumeration of many of the laws and obligations incumbent on the Jewish people. In large part they can be viewed as a sort of extrapolation of the Ten Commandments imparted in the previous week’s parsha. There are laws about how to punish someone who insults their father or mother Continue Reading »
This week’s Torah portion is perhaps the most well-known portion and contains the most powerful and influential writings of any aspect of our Jewish religion and tradition. It is, of course, Parashat Yitro which recounts the giving of the Ten Commandments. While it is beyond my capabilities to impart some new insight into the lessons Continue Reading »
