This week’s parasha is called Korach, named for the leader of one of the largest and most severe revolts against the leadership of Moses and Aaron during the wilderness journey.  Our passage for this week covers Numbers, Chapter 16:1 – Chapter 18:32. While all those who served at the Tabernacle and later at the Temple […]

Shabbot Shalom, this week’s parasha is Sh’lach Lecha which means “Send Out” and covers Numbers chapter 13:1 through 15:41. We begin with the Lord telling Moses to send out 12 men into Canaan. Moses told each man to do reconnaissance in the land. He instructed them to see  if the people are strong or weak, […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Beha-alo-t’cha, which means “when you set up,” and covers Numbers 8:1 through 12:16.  This parasha’s name refers to Adonai’s instructions on setting up the 7 lamps of the golden lampstand, and how to face them and light the area in front of the lampstand, which was made according […]

The two Torah portions for this Shabbat are BaMidbar, meaning “In the Wilderness” and Naso meaning “Take Up” and these begin the book of Numbers. For those who are new to Shema, let me explain that the Hebrew names for the books of the Torah derive from the key word in the opening sentence of […]

This week we have a double parasha, Behar and Bechukotai, these parashas cover Leviticus 25:1–27:34 and close the book of Leviticus.  Our parashas for this week remind us of the importance of keeping our promises to the Lord. We begin in Leviticus 25 which records the Sabbath year and the year of Jubilee. The Lord […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Emor, meaning “Say it!” and covers Leviticus chapters 21 through 24. These chapters reveal a God who is supremely holy, who pays attention to details, and demands the same of those who would draw near to Him. God is awesome in perfection. Hence, the Cohanim, who represented God to Israel […]

Today we will be looking at two parashas, Acharei Mot, which means (after the death), Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30, and Kedosheem, meaning (Holy Ones), Leviticus 19:1-20:27. The deaths of Aaron’s sons, in chapter 10, was a solemn warning to anyone who would dare to carelessly enter the presence of the Holy One of Israel. Their […]

Parasha Tazria begins with the laws of ritual impurity and purity as it pertains to childbirth.  A new mother is treated as a niddah (a woman on her period) and is considered “impure” (tamei) and not allowed in the sanctuary for 40 days (if a boy) or 80 days (if a girl).  On the 8th […]

This week’s parasha is entitled, “Shemini,” which translates as “Eighth.” This “eighth” refers to the 8th day of the consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons, which was covered in our parasha commentary last week. Parasha Shemini covers Leviticus, Chapter 9, verse 1 through Chapter 11, verse 47. This parasha is the last parasha in […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Tzav, which means “command,” and covers Leviticus chapters 6 through 8.  Aaron and his sons are commanded to keep the burnt offering on the altar hearth throughout the night, and to keep the fire on the altar continuously burning. They are then given commandments on what to offer […]