Kol Ramah

Join Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky for Parsha Talk! Parashat Sh’mini [Leviticus 9-11] coincides with Shabbat Parah this year, the third of the four special shabbatot before Passover, each with its own maftir [this week Numbers 19] and haftarah [Ezekiel 36:16-38]. The Torah reading features the culmination of the ordination ceremony for the priests and sacrifice with its unexpected ending in the deaths of Aaron’s two older sons, Nadav and Avihu, and the dietary laws. The special maftir describes the curious rite of the red heifer, and provides a different counterpoint to the story of Nadav and Avihu than the usual haftarah [2 Samuel 6:1-7:17]. As is often the case, I do not always remember what we discuss before we record and what we discuss on the program! You may send questions and comments to [email protected]. Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Tzav [Leviticus 6-8] divides, unevenly, into 2 sections. The first 2 chapters reprise the sacrifices discussed in last week’s parashah, but this time from the priest’s perspective. In this sense, it is a coda to last week. Chapter 8 is the first half of what Baruch Levine calls, in his JPS Torah Commentary on Leviticus, “The Initiation of Formal Worship”. Eliot has the timer when we record so I have no idea if our conversation so neatly mirrors the parashah’s division or has its own organizational scheme. We said what we wanted to say, though, and we hope you enjoy it! Shabbat Shalom, and for those listening before Thursday night, Purim Same’ach!!

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler. This week, we begin a new book of the Torah, Va-yiqra [Leviticus] with the parashah [chapters 1-5] taking its name from the book. It provides a detailed description of the 5 major sacrifices an Israelite might offer, 3 voluntary [olah (burmt offering), minchah (grain offering), zevach sh’lamim (sacred gift of greeting)] and 2 required [chattat (sin-offering) and asham (penalty offering)], occasioned by certain sins and the desire to make amends.. In addition, it is Shabbat Zachor, the 2nd of the special shabbatot before Passover, which always falls on the Shabbat before Purim, observed this year Wednesday evening, March 16, and Thursday, March 17. We touch upon the maftir [Deuteronomy 25:17-19] but did not have time to discuss the fascinating haftarah [1 Samuel 15:2-34] in which Saul will lose his kingdom. Instead we concluded with a game to spark a discussion of the Book of Esther and the holiday of Purim. Let us know what you think at [email protected]! Shabbat Shalom! Purim Same’ach!

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat P’qudai [Exodus 38:21-40:38] recounts the final details of the erection of the mishkan [Tabernacle] with the concluding verses noting that the cloud covered the ohel mo’ed [sacred tent] and the glory or presence of God filled the tabernacle, so much so that Moshe could not enter. When the cloud lifted, the Israelites set out on their journeys; but when it remained in place, so did the Israelites. The cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle during the day and the fire at night, in the presence of the entire house of Israel in all their journeys. The fire and cloud are two of the great symbols of God’s presence, since each has substance but no fixed form. We discuss the meaning of the tabernacle, the multiple beginnings of Exodus and how the end shapes our understanding of each beginning, and more. We hope you enjoy our conclusion of the Book of Exodus! Shabbat Shalom!!

Parsha Talk-with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler. Parashat Va-yaqhel [Exodus 35:1-38:20] is the penultimate parashah of Sefer Sh’mot [the Book of Exodus]. In non-leap years it is paired with the last parashah [P’qudai, more on that next week] to make one of the longest parashiyot of the year. These last two parashiyot take up the actual construction of the mishkan [tabernacle], after the planning was described in the three preceding parashiyot. We spent a fair amount of time talking about Shabbat, since one of the few specific prohibitions is found in the second verse. We also discussed the meaning of the word va-yaqkel, which is often translated as “convoke” or “gather”. For those who like to look ahead, this week is also Shabbat Sheqalim, the first of the 4 special shabbatot before Passover, each with a special maftir [additional reading] and haftarah [prophetic passage]. For Sheqalim, the maftir is from the beginning of last week’s parashah, Ki Tissa [Exodus 30:11-16]. For those keeping track, we have about seven weeks until Passover! Shabbat Shalom!

Join Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmonofsky for Parsha Talk. Parashat Ki Tissa [Exodus 30:11-34:25] features the episode of the Golden Calf, which provided the material for most of our discussion this week. How should we evaluate the performance of God? Moshe? B’nai Yisrael? What is the nature of the sin of idolatry? Does it have modern relevance? resonance? We came at these questions, and the story, each in his own way, making for a thoughtful discussion as we shared our ideas and responded to each others’. Comments and criticisms welcome at [email protected]. Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Tetzaveh [Exodus 27:20-30:10] follows closely on T’rumah with the plans for some of the furniture and objects of the Mishkan [Tabernacle] and the priestly vestments. On the face of it, it does not seem to provide material for an interesting discussion, but we persevered and perhaps even prevailed! As with last week, we talked more theology than the parashah as a whole might suggest at first blush. In particular, we talked about the priestly breastplate, with its four rows of precious jewels, and considered the meaning of the Exodus in a different light than usual, basing ourselves on the passage at the end of Chapter 29 [43-47]. As always, comments and criticisms are welcome at [email protected]. Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Talk - with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler. Parashat T’rumah [Exodus 25:1-27:18] begins the Torah’s lengthy disquisition on the building of the Tabernacle, whose plan and construction will take up most of the remaining chapters of Exodus. This week and next the Torah will describe in great detail how the Tabernacle should be constructed, including descriptions of the furniture and utensils, and then, separated by the episode of the Golden Calf, the Torah will describe the actual building of the Tabernacle. Our conversation this week is perhaps more theological than usual for us, and less tethered to the text. Perhaps we discuss one specific verse, but not much more! Still, the time went quickly. Before we knew it, we were wishing a Shabbat Shalom, which I shall echo here. Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Talk - with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky and

Barry Chesler. Parashat Mishpatim [Exodus 21-24] contains the Covenant Code, one of the major pieces of legislation in the Torah. One way of looking at it is to think of it as the prose to the poetry of revelation in last week’s parashah. In Jewish terms it is the halachah [law] to last week’s aggadah [narrative, non-legal material]. Mishpatim is rich in legal detail, with laws covering a variety of situations, many of which must have been more common while others would have occurred more rarely. Our conversation began with the first verse and included the last chapter, a ritual that is, shall we say, distinctly non-modern. Along the way we discussed some of the specific laws one or more of us find interesting. Comments and criticisms are welcome at [email protected]. Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler. Parashat Yitro [Exodus 18:1-20:23, and in some versions enumerated as 20:26] features the Ten Commandments, which is half of a larger unit generally referred to as Revelation at Sinai. When I used to teach Exodus 19 and 20 in high school, I would entitle the unit, “Revelation: There is less than meets the eye”. For many people, most of what they know, or think they know, about Revelation comes from the rabbis and not from the Torah. The Torah’s account is rather spartan and difficult to follow. Give a listen to see what we make of it. As always, comments and criticisms are welcome at [email protected]. Shabbat Shalom!