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Whose values am I imitating – the Creator’s or the world’s? Leviticus 16 introduces Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement or the Day of GOD’S Covering in this double parashah Achare Mot – Kedoshim. On this moed, the Cohen Hagadol would change his vestment to white linen, with extra attention paid to bathing and cleanliness. […]
Life or Death, which do I choose? This double parashah speaks of being tahor – טָהוֹר and tamei – טָמֵא which to me, are poorly translated as pure and impure or clean and unclean. The problem is that we don’t understand this message from the Torah. The word tazria תַזְרִ֔יעַ is related to tzaraat צָּרַעַת […]
Am I replacing GOD with an artifact? Parashat Shemini covers a variety of topics. Our sages highlight the following: after seven days, which is the number of creation, the eighth day appears representing the circle, the spiritual, the day on which the service of the Mishkan would be inaugurated, teaching us that, to reach the […]
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, […]
