Shabbat Shalom. Our parasha for this week is Tzav, which translates to “Command” and covers Leviticus 6:1-8:36. Parasha Tzav is also the very first parasha I ever gave a commentary for at Shema, almost 16 years ago to the day on March 27, 2010. It was also my very first time preaching. Continuing from last […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Vayikra, meaning “And He called.” This begins the book of Leviticus and covers chapter 1:1-6:7. These opening chapters describe the various offerings brought to Adonai. Each chapter presents a different type of offering and explains how it was to be brought before the Lord. Though these detailed instructions may not […]

Today’s parasha is a double parasha.  Vayakhel, which means, “and he assembled,” covering Exodus 35:1 – 38:20, and Pekudei, meaning “accounts,” covering the last two and a half chapters of Exodus, 38:21 to chapter 40:38. Vayakhel covers the actual building of the tabernacle and its implements as well as the altar of sacrifice and the […]

This morning, we have a double-parasha: T’tzaveh, which means “Command.” It focuses on the priests, their clothing, and their anointing. Kee Tisa means “When You Take.” Adonai gives Moses the final instructions for building the Tabernacle. T’tzaveh opens with instructions concerning the oil for the lamps of the menorah; the people provided pure olive oil […]

This week’s Parasha is entitled T’rumah meaning “Contribution” and covers Exodus 25:1-27:19. In chapter 25, Moses receives specific and detailed instructions from Adonai concerning the materials and construction of the Tabernacle, the dimensions of the courtyard and the placement of the items that will reside there. Adonai invites the Israelis to bring offerings to contribute […]

Peter’s second letter was written to remind the Lord’s people of the truth of God’s Word and the certainty of His promises. In this second chapter, Peter warns against false teachers who distort the Word of God and lead people into sin. We need to understand that recognizing and resisting false teaching and moral corruption […]

The parashah for this week’s Sabbath is entitled Mishpatim, which means “Judgments.” It covers Exodus 21:1–24:18. These were the first laws God gave His people after the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. These laws provide practical application of the Decalogue in daily life. They are called “judgments” or rulings. They are not […]

This week’s parasha is entitled, B’shalach, which means “when he sent” and covers Exodus 13:17 – 17:16.  When he sent refers to pharaoh letting the Israelis depart from Egypt after the 10th plague, the death of the firstborn. After their release, the Lord does not lead the Israelis in a direct route towards their final […]

This week’s Parasha is entitled Bo, which means “Go,” and covers Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 In the previous parasha, we saw the first seven plagues unleashed on Egypt. In chapter 10, the Lord commands Moses to go before Pharaoh to continue to demonstrate Adonai’s superiority over the false gods of Egypt. Moses was instructed to […]

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Vaiera, meaning “And I appeared.” Adonai redeemed His people by manifesting His power to Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and their gods. He alone is the one true and living God. Chapter six opens with a discouraged Moses. He had delivered God’s message to Pharaoh, and the result was an increase […]