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On this 7th day of Pesach, we read Exodus 13:17 – 15:26. It begins with, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said: The people might change their minds when they see war and want to return to Egypt.” This […]
Does our God need to be appeased? This second portion of the book of Leviticus, Vayikra, continues the Korbanot, the offerings. It is vital to remember that the Creator made us…We didn’t make Him. We also all want to tell the Creator what He wants instead of listening to him. He is not seeking our […]
I want to be close to You, my GOD. “Happy is he whom You choose and whom You bring near to dwell in Your courts” (Tehillim 65:5) “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” (Tehillim 145:18) “Draw near to God, and He will draw […]
With Parashat Pekudei and the words Chazak, Chazak V’nitchazek חזק חזק ונתחזק, we end the book of Shemot, Exodus. Exodus began after Joseph’s eleven brothers and their families moved to Egypt, and Joseph, the twelfth brother, was already there. Together, these brothers formed a nation that would flourish and be protected in that foreign land […]
Last week’s parashah ended with Moshe’s face being so radiant that they had to cover it with a veil – they were afraid to come near him. Why would God’s radiance make the people back away? Perhaps the light from his face reminded them of their dark side, their yetzer ha rah, bringing the failure […]
New opportunities… “The LORD, the LORD, God, gracious and compassionate, long-suffering, slow to anger and abundant in mercy and truth; extending kindness to the thousandth generation, forgiving premeditated sins, rebellious sins, and unintentional sins; He absolves sinners.” Exodus 34: 6 – 7 “Adonai Adonai El rachum vechanun erech apayim verav-chesed ve’emet notser chesed la’alafim noseh […]
Parashat Tetzaveh is the second of the four parashot that envelop the sin of the golden calf, the Egel Zahav. It begins with the lighting of the menorah. Hebrew is a language of pictures through which the principles that GOD wants to teach us unfold. Tetzaveh will speak of the menorah lit with “pure” oil, […]
Can a willing heart be developed? In the last verse of Parashat Mishpatim, we read that Moshe ascended the mountain of God, Mt. Sinai, where he would remain for 40 days and 40 nights. The next thing we read, whether it happened chronologically or not, God asked Moshe to tell the Israelites to take gifts […]
“Bless Adonai, O His angels, mighty in strength, you who execute His word and listen to the voice of His commandment.” (Tehillim 103:20) To me, the central theme of Parashat Mishpatim is our responsibility toward our neighbor who is voluntarily or involuntarily affected by our actions. In this sense, Mishpatim is an explanation of how […]
Are You For or Against the Creator? This parashah Yitro has a lot of meat and meaning. Interestingly, this portion in which we received the Ten Commandments or Sayings is named after a Gentile priest These Ten Words are Israel’s Constitution as well as for the entire world. There is so much to learn from […]
