Kol Ramah

Parsha Talk with rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat T’tzavveh [Exodus 27:20–30:10] coincides this year with Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat before Purim [observed Monday night and Tuesday, March 6 & 7], which takes its name from the first word of the special maftir [Deuteronomy 25:17-19], with its call to remember what Amalek did to the Israelites when they left Egypt, and to blot them out once safely ensconced in the borders ot the Land of Israel. The parashah itself continues the description of the plans for the Ohel Mo’ed [Tent of Meeting]. We discussed some of the parashah and some relatively randomly chosen verses from the Book of Esther, in anticipation of Purim! We hope you enjoy. Shabbat Shalom and Hag Purim Same’ach!

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat T’rumah [Exodus 25:1–27:19] begins the lengthy description of the plans for and building of the mishkan [tabernacle, or dwelling-place for God], which will take up most of the rest of the Book of Exodus. We focused on a few verses, in particular 25:8 [And let them make Me a sanctuary that I many dwell among them] and 25:22 [There I will meet with you, and I will impart to you—from above the cover, from between the two cherubim that are on the top of the Ark of the Pact—all that I will command you concerning the Israelite people], as well as discussing the purpose of the structure itself in the religious life of the people, then and now. As always, comments are welcome here or at [email protected]. Shabbat Shalom!

Welcome to Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. It is an early edition of Parashah Talk, since Eliot is flying to Israel today. Parashat Mishpatim [Exodus 21-24] features the Covenant Code, the first major law code embedded in the Torah. Its literary style, nearly all law, represents a major break from the previous 20 chapters, which have been largely narrative. This enabled us to discuss law in general as well as some specific laws. This week is also Parashat Sheqalim [Exodus 30:11–16], the first fo the 4 special shabbatot before Passover, each with its own maftir [additional reading] and haftarah [prophetic reading]. We did not have time to discuss it, but be forewarned, Passover will be here before you know it. Start cleaning! Shabbat Shalom!!

Parsha Talk, with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Yitro [Exodus 18-20] is the fifth weekly reading of the Book of Exodus. It features the dramatic revelation at Mt. Sinai and the text of the Ten Commandments. Chapter 18, however, has to do with the organization of the judiciary suggested by Yitro, priest of Midian, whom the chapter identifies no less than 13 times as the father-in-law of Moses. In fact, most of the people, whether individuals or nation, are identified in Chapter 18 in relation to Moses. This provides the beginning of our conversation, in which we discuss Yitro himself, and how we might understand his role in Israel’s history, and the Ten Commandments, always a fascinating text. Give a listen and let us know what you think! Shabbat Shalom!!

Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky with Parsha Talk. Parashat B’shallach [Exodus 13:17–17:16] features the Song of the Sea [15:1–19], the magnificent poem the Torah records as the Israselites’ response to their successful crossing of the Sea of Reeds, allowing them to put their Egyptian experience behind them once and for all. But, there is so much more in the parashah, including the actual splitting of the sea, given both a natural and miraculous explanation, the introduction of manna as the staple of the Israelites’ diet for the next forty years, various complaints, the 1st hitting of the Rock [17:1–7] and the attack of Amalek. 17:8–16]. While we do not cover everything, we hope we do the parashah justice, and that everyone finds something worth hearing. Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Talk-with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Bo [Exodus 10:1–13:16] is the third parashah in Sefer Sh’mot [the Book of Exodus]. In it is recounted the last 3 plagues and the preparations for and celebration of Pesach Mitzrayim, the observance of Passover in Egypt, which will differ from Pesach Le-dorot, the Passover commemorated by future generations. We have the long chapter 12, one of my favorites in the Torah, and the passage at the end [13:1–16], divided by the rabbis into two [13:1-10 and 11–16], which together with the 1st 2 paragraphs of the Sh’ma [Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13–21 will make up the texts of the t’fillin. We also have the prompts for two of the sons of the Passover Haggadah. It is particularly rich, as I hope you will find our conversation. Comments and criticisms are welcome! Shabbat Shalom!!

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Va-era [Exodus 6:2–9:35] begins with verses [6{2–3] that feature prominently in modern biblical criticism. “Elohim spoke to Moshe, and He said to him, I am YHVH. And I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob by El Shaddai, and my name YHVH I did not make known to them”. At the very least, God did not appear to the patriarchs in the same way that He appeared to Moshe. For those critically minded, these verses indicate a change in worship. The verses are followed by 3 verses [6–8] which feature in the determination of cups of wine at the Seder. But the parashah is perhaps best known for the 1st seven plagues. Our conversation meandered, sometimes touching on verses, sometimes on comparisons between God and Pharaoh, Moshe and Pharaoh, Moshe and Aaron, sometimes on other topics. We hope you find it rewarding. Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Sh’mot [Exodus 1:1–6:1] begins a new Book of the Torah, the Book of Exodus. As Eliot mentions, we move very quickly, in just a few verses, from ish [man] to bayyit [house] to shevet [tribe], to am [nation]. In the opening verses, the family story that concluded the Book of Genesis becomes the national story that will lead, eventually, to the Jewish people. Since we were recording just after the 50th yahrtzeit [anniversary of death] of the late Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel this past Wednesday [18 Tevet, this year 1/11/23], our conversation is peppered with references to Heschel’s teachings. We hope some of you will share yours with us! Shabbat Shalom!!

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Va-yechi [Genesis 47:28–50:26] concludes Book of Genesis. Among the other things that come to an end are the lives of Jacob and then of Joseph. It is, perhaps, a dark ending. A book that begins with the Creation of the world ends with Joseph embalmed and placed in an aron, a box, waiting until his descendants will take his bones up out of Egypt with them when they are redeemed by the mighty hand and outstretched arm of God. The parashah gives us the opportunity to evaluate the life of Joseph, and of Jacob. And, as is the case, it gives us the opportunity to say a few words about the Book of Genesis, and its context within the Torah. Comments and criticisms are welcome at [email protected]. Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Va-yiggash [Genesis 44:18-47:27] is the third installment of the Joseph saga. Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers and arrangments are made for the entire family to come to Egypt, to take up residence in the Land of Goshen, where they can live apart from the Egyptians but still benefit from Joseph’s position in that society. There are a number of odd comments made by both Jacob and Joseph about the other; we tend to forget that 22 years has elapsed, and neither side has made, apparently, any attempt to find out about the other. And there is the curious genealogy of Jacob’s family who went down to Egypt. This provided us with more than enough to talk about!

This is our last Parashat Talk for 2022! We look forward to 2023 as another year of conversation about the weekly Torah Reading Shabbat Shalom!!