The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is called Shmini and is found in Leviticus 9:1-11:47. In this parasha, God tells Moses and Aaron to instruct the people about the animals they are permitted to eat. Land animals must have cloven hooves and chew their cud. Animals that have only one of these signs and therefore are not permitted […]
This week we review the story of Passover. God calls Moses to go back to Egypt and lead the people out of Egypt. Pharaoh is an unwilling partner, so God brings 10 plagues upon the Egyptians, each plague becoming more destructive. Moses announces the final plague – the death of the firstborn – to Pharaoh, but […]
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 (Leviticus 1:1-5:26) 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”. This parasha 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 Vayakhel-Pekudei and is found in Exodus 35:1-40:38. In this parasha, Moses asks the Israelites to bring materials for building the mishkan – the portable sanctuary in the wilderness – and for those who have skills to come forward to perform the work. Bezalel and Oholiav are 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 […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, 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 sanctuary that […]
The Torah portion, or parasha, this week is Mishpatim (“laws”) 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 […]
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 […]