This week’s Torah portion is called BaMidbar, “In the Wilderness”. In the English versions of the Bible this book of the Torah is named “Numbers” because it begins with a census. BaMidbar covers Numbers 1-4:20. It begins with Adonai speaking to Moses in the wilderness, this being the Sinai desert or in Hebrew; the Arabah. […]

Our world is not at rest. Too many of us live at a breakneck pace, trying desperately to stay on top of everything we need to accomplish, 24-7. Society has undergone astonishing changes in recent decades, with advances in technology that once promised more leisure time, yet now only seem to add to our burden, […]

Our parasha this week is another double portion which means there are two parashas combined into one. They are entitled Acharei Mot, meaning “After the Death” and Kedoshim translated “Holy Ones”. They cover Leviticus 16-20. The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur is instituted here in chapter 16. This is the most solemn, significant and […]

This week, we have a double Torah portion.  The first passage is called Tazria, which means “she bears seed,” such as when a woman gives birth to a child.  This passage is from Leviticus 12:1–13:59.  Our other Torah portion is called, Metzora, which can be translated as “infected one” and takes us from Leviticus 14:1–15:33.  […]

Today’s parasha is entitled Shemini meaning “the Eighth day”, and covers Leviticus chapters 9-11. In these chapters Aaron begins his ministry to the people, his sons come into the presence of God burning a sacrifice not prescribed for, and we are given dietary laws. For today’s Parasha I’ve chosen to focus primarily on the “strange” […]

The parasha this Shabbat is entitled Tzav, meaning “Give the Command!” and covers Leviticus 6-8. One of the very first things mentioned is the command that fire be kept burning continually on the altar; it was never to go out (6:9, 13). Josephus records (and the rabbis confirm) that during the time of the Second […]

The Shabbat we begin the third book of the Torah, which is called Sefer Vayyikra, the book of Leviticus. Vayyikra is translated “And He called out”. The parasha covers Leviticus chapters one through five. These chapters describe the korbanot – offerings to Adonai. Each chapter describes in detail a different type of offering. The many […]

This Sabbath we have two parashas, the first is called Vayakhel which means, “And he assembled” it covers Exodus 35:1-38:20. The second is Pekudei which means, “An accounting” and it covers Exodus 38:21–40:38. These chapters are on the creation and construction of the Tabernacle, with its materials and furnishings. These subjects are filled with knowledge […]

Last week’s parasha was entitled Tetzaveh, which means, “you shall command.” It covers Exodus, Chapter 27:20 to 30:10. Last week’s Shabbat was also called Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath of remembrance, which was the Sabbath that falls before Purim, which this year, was Wednesday evening, March 4 to Thursday evening, March 5. On this Shabbat, it […]

This week our parasha is Ki Tisa, which translates to “When You Lift Up” and covers Exodus 30:11–34:35.  In chapters 30 and 31 are more instructions from the Lord to Moses.  The Lord gave him instructions concerning the census tax, the bronze basin, the anointing oil, and the Sabbath.  But I would like to draw […]