This week we have two Parashas: B’har (meaning, “on the mountain”), and B’chukotai (meaning, “in my statutes”). They cover Leviticus 25:1-27:34. The Lord spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai. He said, “Tell the Israelis when you enter the land that I am giving you, that you must let the land have a special time of […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Emor, which means “say” and covers Leviticus 21-24.  Adonai commanded Moses to instruct the priests on the need for holiness.  Priests must not become ceremonially unclean when dealing with the death of an Israeli, unless it is a close relative.  They were not to shave their heads, trim […]

Our parashot for this Shabbat are Tazria, meaning “when she gives birth” and Metzora, meaning “concerning lepers”, covering Leviticus 12-15. The general theme is distinguishing what is clean from what is unclean. The temporary separation of individuals who were unclean from the community had to do with the presence of a Holy God in the […]

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 two weeks ago.  Parasha Shemini covers Leviticus 9:1-11:47. This parasha is the last parasha in the month of Nisan. In Chapter 9, Aaron, and his sons, […]

Shabbat Shalom. Our parasha for this week is parasha Tzav, which translates to “Command” and covers Leviticus 6:1-8:36. We begin in Leviticus 6 and then continue into chapter 7, where we are given more information about the five different types of offerings to the Lord, and instructions concerning them for the priesthood, specifically their disposal. […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Vayikra, meaning “And He Called” and introduces us to the book of Leviticus. These chapters describe the various offerings made to Adonai. Each chapter describes a different type of offering. The many details might not seem exciting to today’s reader, but they are significant, and should not be ignored. In […]

This week we also have a double Parasha, entitled Vayakhel-Pekudei, and it covers Exodus chapters 35 to 40.  At the end of the previous parasha, Moses had returned from Mount Sinai carrying a second set of stone tablets.  He announced to the Jewish people that they were about to begin a building campaign for the […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Ki Tisa, which means “when you elevate” and covers Exodus 30:11-34:35.  Adonai instructs Moses on collecting the Israelis’ money for atonement when they were counted in a census.  Everyone was to give a half shekel, which was designated for the Tent of Meeting. Adonai gave Moses instructions for […]

The first of our parashas this Shabbat is Tetzaveh, meaning, ‘Give the command,’ and covers Exodus 27:20- 30:10.  At the end of chapter 27, the oil is described for the Golden Lamp or menorah that sits in the Mishkan, the Tabernacle.  Pure olive oil was to be used in this lamp, and it was to […]

The parasha for this Shabbat is entitled Terumah and covers Exodus 25:1 through 27:19. This morning, rather than our usual 5-7 minute commentary, I’ll be expanding our parasha into a full message. Terumah means contribution, gift or offering. The parasha opens with God’s invitation to raise a contribution – a terumah. It was not to […]