Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Emor Leviticus 21:1-24:23 This past week we observed the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles riots. Our city burned as the anger about the Rodney King verdicts reached a fever pitch, absolving the white police officers from using police brutality against Rodney King. Even though before our very eyes the grainy black and white…Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Shimini Leviticus 9:1 -11:47 This week’s Torah portion is different. By that I mean if you are a Reform Jew or you live in Israel the Torah portion we read from is Shimini. If you are a Conservative or Orthodox Jew living outside of Israel you are still observing Passover this Shabbat and there…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Tzav Leviticus 6:1 -8:36 Religion is meant to be mysterious. It talks about things you can’t see- like God. Religion tries to in its best case scenario link people through emotional and communal bonds. Religion lifts up ideals of ethics and morality. Religion tries to bind a group through ritual and to help us…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Vayikra Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26 Vayikra means “God called out.” (Lev. 1:1). With this new book of the Bible, Leviticus, God calls out to Moses. Exodus ends with the building of the Tabernacle. It has exquisite detail of the design and the construction of the Tabernacle, God’s earthly home. Now God wants to draw…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Vaykheil-Pekude Exodus 35:1 – 40:38 This week’s Parasha continues with the recounting of the building of the Mishkan. In Parshat Terumah and Parshat Tetzaveh, the instructions and designs are revealed to Moses. And tradition states that in our portions this week, the plans are executed. Moses now tells the Children of Israel of…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Ki Tissa Exodus 30:11-34:35 This week we observe the joyous holiday of Purim. The Story of Esther in our Tanach, the Hebrew Scriptures, reminds us of the human strength to be the voice of justice and truth. Esther prepared for three days of prayer and a day of fasting to summons the courage…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Ki Tissa Exodus 30:11-34:35 This week we observe the joyous holiday of Purim. The Story of Esther in our Tanach, the Hebrew Scriptures, reminds us of the human strength to be the voice of justice and truth. Esther prepared for three days of prayer and a day of fasting to summons the courage…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Mishpatim Exodus 21:1 -24:18 Our Torah portion this week, Parshat Mishpatim expounds and expands the Ten Commandments given in last week’s Torah portion, Yitro. The Jewish people are blessed with a system of law and rules to live by. Why weren’t “Ten” rules for living enough? Why does God give Moses further instruction? The…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Yitro Exodus 18:1-20:23 This week the rule of law won out. The release of the decision of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Proposition 8 by a vote of 2-1 reaffirmed that justice and legal logic have a place in our society and our world. Writing for the majority Judge Stephen…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Beshallach Exodus 13:17-17:16 Our Torah portion contains one of the most well-known moments in the Bible. This week the Children of Israel walk between walls of water on dry land to escape Egypt and Pharaoh’s army. Cinematic images of Charlton Heston as Moses are burned into our global psyches! Moses raises his staff…Read more »
Walking Humbly. Seeking Justice. Living with Hope. 