The Parasha with Rabbi Dweck

Sefer Vayikra — the Book of Leviticus — sits at the very heart of the Torah, and its opening parsha introduces one of the most profound and misunderstood concepts in all of Jewish law: the Korban.

In this week's double portion, Vayakhel-Pekude, Rabbi Joseph Dweck explores the profound concept of Nedib Leb—the "willing heart". As the Israelites begin the physical construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), we learn that the most essential building material isn't gold or silver, but the voluntary spirit of the people.Rabbi Dweck delves into the spiritual anatomy of the heart, contrasting the open, faithful heart of Sinai with the "sealed" heart that emerged during the crisis of the Golden Calf. By examining the teachings of the Rishonim and a powerful Midrash about the destruction of the Temple, he reveals how the "core self" of the Jewish person remains fundamentally connected to a desire for relationship with God, even in times of fear and uncertainty.Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

Moses presents the mitzvah of Shabbat alongside the Mishkan project, closing the book of Shemot with the account of how the Mishkan was built, including the aron fashioned by its chief artisan. The copper wash basin made from women’s mirrors used in Egypt to encourage their husbands to conceive despite slavery, a contribution Moshe initially rejects but God praises as most desired. It also explains that the detailed accounting of donations functions as public transparency, and ends with God’s presence filling and leading Israel through the desert via the pillar of cloud and fire.Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

What happens when the people of Israel miscalculate Moses' return from Mount Sinai — and panic sets in? In this week's Torah portion, Ki Tisa, we explore one of the most dramatic and painful episodes in the entire Torah: the fashioning of the Golden Calf.As Moses spends 40 days and 40 nights atop Har Sinai, communing with God and receiving the Torah, the people grow restless. They lose track of time, grow anxious, and begin to fear the worst — "What has happened to Moses?" In their uncertainty, they turn to Aaron with a desperate request: give us something tangible, a stand-in for the Divine presence that has guided us.What follows is a lesson about faith, fear, and what we reach for when our spiritual anchor seems to disappear.Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

In this week's parasha, the focus opens not with sacrifice, but with light — the command to bring pure olive oil to kindle the Menorah in the Mishkan. The question the rabbis immediately ask is: why does God need light?

The Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, wore eight magnificent garments and lived a life of total devotion, representing the entire nation before God in a way no one else could. Parashat Tesave covers the priestly garments, the consecration of the Kohanim, the twice-daily Tamid lamb offerings brought on behalf of all Israel, and closes with the golden incense altar at the heart of the Tabernacle.

The keruvim teach us an important lesson about what it means to be young at heart...

God’s covenant with Israel isn’t just about lofty commandments. It’s about caring deeply for the everyday ups and downs of real life. These detailed laws show a God who chooses to share space with us and guide how we treat one another in the practical matters and beyond...

Moses and the people reach Sinai. God makes them an offer, they accept and the rest is history....

The children of Israel are fresh out of Egypt and they quickly find themselves between the ocean and a pursuing and angry pharaoh. God opens the sea for them and the courtship between God and Israel begins. In this episode we look at the dynamics of the God-Israel relationship. It's delicate parameters and the misconceptions around what it is not. We also draw from it how we might find God in our own lives.