You are browsing archives for
After Leviticus 10, where we read about the tragic death of Nadab and Abihu, every other parashah in this book begins with, ‘And God spoke to Moses, saying.’ He had given us His Ten Commandments, and now He was turning up the dial. The last chapter of Vayikra begins with an oath, and our oath, […]
Holiness is a continual process – enjoy the journey! “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name.” (Matthew 6:9) Parashat Emor is a practical account of how to hallow God’s Name within a variety of contexts. Leviticus 22:32 states: “You shall not profane my holy Name, but it shall be hallowed among the people of […]
Do not be imitators: Be genuine! An important element in this double parashah, Achare Mot-Kedoshim, which will be developed later, is Yom Hakippurim, called the Day of Atonement. I prefer to call it the Day of God’s covering, when we approach God to make things right with Him. The second part is Kedoshim, which means […]
Am I Choosing Life or Death? This double parashah speaks of tahor טָהוֹר – pure or clean or pure and tamei – טָמֵא, impure or unclean, which, in my opinion, are poor translations. The reason is that we simply don’t understand the Torah’s message. The word tazria תַזְרִ֔יעַ is related to tzaraat צָּרַעַת, which, although […]
This week’s parashah, Shemini, is the culmination of several portions read in Shemot. In Terumah, God reveals to Moses a pattern, detailing the Ark, the Menorah, the Table, and the structure of the Mishkan – a Divine pattern emerges to shape what is inaugurated in Shemini. Next, in Tetzaveh, the service and priestly garments were […]
Our Parashah this week is called Tzav, which means “command.” According to Google, this word conveys a sense of urgency, but it is not the same as “demand”. For example, “He demands respect” implies that someone who forcefully insists that others give him or her respect, even if we don’t want to, because he hasn’t […]
Relationship or Institution? This week’s parashah, Vayikra, וַיִּקְרָ֖א, in Hebrew means “And He called”. It was also called Leviticus in Greek, which suggests two completely different perspectives on its reading and purpose. I started imagining what would happen if I received an invitation from none other than King Felipe VI at the Zarzuela Palace, calling […]
What is your drug of choice? We’re at the end of Shemot, Exodus, during which we fled Egypt, began our journey out of slavery to the Promised Land, witnessed many miracles, and experienced the greatest theophany: the receiving of the Torah (The Ten Commandments) at Mt. Sinai. Before I share a modern parable, let me […]
Israel, will you marry ME? As I read this week’s Parasha, Ki Tissa, a hidden theme jumped off the pages at me, reflected in some of the following: “The House for God and its Furnishings complete; “the Ornamented Garments for the Cohanim to wear at an elaborate Ceremony”; “the Utensils for them to wash their […]
Returning to Eden Tetzaveh (תְּצַוֶּה) means “You shall command.” The story unfolds from Exodus 27:20 to 30:10. Chapter 27:20–21 speaks of the “Ner Tamid,” the light that burns continually in the Sanctuary and is kindled with pure oil brought by the people and placed in the Menorah to be lit. God then instructs that He […]
