The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is called Tzav and is found in Leviticus 6:1-8:36.Last week’s parasha gave a description of the different types of sacrifices and their uses. Parashat Tzav provides instructions on how the kohanim (priests) are to offer the various sacrifices. We also learn that the zevah sh’lamim, the offering of well-being, was to be brought for three reasons […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is called Vayikra which is also the name of the third book of Torah commonly known as Leviticus. Leviticus is often called Torat Kohanim, literally “teaching of priests”. The parasha, found in Leviticus 1:1-5:26, focuses on the various kind of sacrifices or offerings: The first category of offerings, is the olah, […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is called Pekudei and is found in Exodus 38:21-40:38. In this closing portion of the Book of Exodus – Parashat Pekudei – the mishkan, or portable Tabernacle, is now completed. An inventory of the metals that had been contributed to the Sanctuary is given as well as a head count of the number […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is called Vayakhel and is found in Exodus 35:1-38:20. In this parasha, Moses assembles the entire Israelite community and asks them to bring their gifts, materials for building the mishkan–the portable sanctuary in the wilderness– and for those who have the needed skills to come forward to perform the work. When the […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is called Ki Tisa and is found in Exodus 30:11-34:35. While Moses is on the mountain receiving the Ten Statements (10 Commandments), the people despair of his return and demand that Aaron “make us a god who shall go before us.” Aaron fashions the Golden Calf and the next day the people offer […]
The Torah portion, or parashah, this week is called Tetzaveh and is found in Exodus 27:20-30:10. Moses is told to instruct the Israelites to prepare olive oil for lighting the Ner Tamid, the “eternal light” in the wilderness sanctuary. God then gives instructions for making the special vestments for Aaron, the high priest, and his sons, the regular priests. […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is called Terumah and is found in Exodus 25:1 – 27:19. God tells Moses to instruct the Israelites to bring gifts – precious metals, fine fabrics, skins, wood, oil, spices, and jewels – for the building of the mishkan–the portable sanctuary– and its furnishings. God says, “Let them make Me a […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Mishpatim and is found in Exodus 21:1-24:18. This parasha is also called Sefer HaBrit, the Book of the Covenant, for it begins the presentation of the mitzvot, the particulars that define the relationship between God and the Jewish people. In fact, Mishpatim contains 53 of the 613 mitzvot found in the Torah. The […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Yitro and is found in Exodus 18:1-20:23. In this parasha, Moses’ father-in-law Jethro (Yitro) hears about the Exodus and what God has done for the Israelites and comes to visit his son-in-law, bringing Moses’ wife Zipporah and their sons. Jethro acknowledges the greatness of God and offers a sacrifice. The next […]
WEEKLY TORAH PORTION: The Torah portion this week is Beshalach and is found in Exodus 13:17-17:16. In this parasha, the Israelites began their wilderness experience. God is their leader, through a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. The cloud leads the people to take the longer route to the Promised Land to avoid the Philistines and they first end up camping by […]