Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Metzora Leviticus 14:1-15:33 This week’s Torah portion, Metzora is a partner portion with last week’s Tazria. Most often these two portions are read together but this is a leap year and they are separated to accommodate the extra Shabbatot. A metzora is one who is afflicted with tzarat. In older Bible translations tzarat was…Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Tazria Leviticus 12:1-13:59 The next two weeks of Torah portions, Tazria and Metzora are often the most confounding in the Torah. And certainly the “ick” factor is at work. These portions deal with ritual impurity from childbirth, menstrual blood, skin diseases or rashes, semen and other bodily fluids. It describes spiritual impurities that arise…Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Shemini Leviticus 9:1 -11:46 Our Torah portion opens this week on the eighth day of dedication of the Tabernacle. Moses dedicated the altar and the priests. Until now Moses had prepared and made the ritual sacrifices on the altar. But now on the eighth day of Aaron, is now the High Priest and his…Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Vayikra Leviticus 1:1-6:5 The third book of the Bible begins this week just as we begin the new month of Adar Bet. Leviticus is also known as Torat Cohanim- the Torah of the Priests or the Instructions for the Priests. Throughout this book of the Bible the details of priestly holy work are described. …Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Pekude Exodus 38:21 – 40:38 We come to the end of the book of Exodus this week. Often this portion is linked together with Vayakhel. But this is a leap year and we have two months of Adar. And so these portions fill their own week. Jewish tradition teaches us that when Adar enters…Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Vayakhel Exodus 35:1-38:20 This week in our Torah we read Vayahkel. It seems as if it is a repetition of the earlier instructions and descriptions of building the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. It is straightforward and to the point. Tradition teaches us that there is no extraneous information in the Torah. So why then do…Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Ki Tissa Exodus 31:1-34:34 There are not too many times in life one gets a “do over”. Except in golf! On the golf course a do over is called a “mulligan”. No one is exactly sure of how the mulligan got its name. One fabled story describes David Mulligan who had a habit of…Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Tetzaveh Exodus 27:29-30:10 This week God continues to share with Moses the details and secrets of the priesthood and of sacred service. Last week God revealed the plan for the Holy Tent of Meeting and the secret design of the ancient Tabernacle and altar. This week God reveals the sacred garments of the Priesthood…Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Terumah Exodus 25:1-27:19 The revelation has happened. God’s Divine Presence was revealed at Mt. Sinai. The people heard it and agreed to accept the Torah. They said “we will do it and observe it- Na’aseh v’nishmah”. Now how to maintain it? How can the Israelites keep God in their midst? How can they maintain…Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary One of the most powerful classes I have ever experienced was Monday in Jerusalem. Our teacher Micah Goodman presented a new way to think about the themes, archetypes and origins of the story of the Exodus. He focused on what we learn from the way Egypt dealt with foreigners and the way Midian dealt with…Read more »
Walking Humbly. Seeking Justice. Living with Hope. 