Torah Talk

This is Torah Talk for the week of May 10th, 2020 What is “liberty”?  Not an abstract question; see below. Lev 25:10  You shall proclaim release [Hebrew דרור, OJPS “liberty”] throughout the land for all its inhabitants. This week’s handout: 32-33 Behar-Behukkotai 5780 Donate!                    Learn Biblical Hebrew! Click here for the […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of May 10th, 2020 What is “liberty”?  Not an abstract question; see below. Lev 25:10  You shall proclaim release [Hebrew דרור, OJPS “liberty”] throughout the land for all its inhabitants. This week’s handout: 32-33 Behar-Behukkotai 5780 Donate!                    Learn Biblical Hebrew! Click here for the […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of May 3rd, 2020 What is “the product of hadar trees”?  It is an etrog “of course” — but when did it become that, and where do etrogim come from? Lev 23:40  On the first day you shall take the product of hadar trees [פרי עץ הדר], branches of palm trees, […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of May 3rd, 2020 What is “the product of hadar trees”?  It is an etrog “of course” — but when did it become that, and where do etrogim come from? Lev 23:40  On the first day you shall take the product of hadar trees [פרי עץ הדר], branches of palm trees, […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of April 26th, 2020 What is sha’atnez/שעטנז … where does the word come from … why can’t you wear it … and why CAN the priests wear it? Lev 19:9  You shall not let your cattle mate with a different kind; you shall not sow your field with two […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of April 26th, 2020 What is sha’atnez/שעטנז … where does the word come from … why can’t you wear it … and why CAN the priests wear it? Lev 19:9  You shall not let your cattle mate with a different kind; you shall not sow your field with two […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of April 19th, 2020 Contagion and quarantine in the Bible. Lev 13:4  “The priest shall isolate the affected person for seven days.” Lev 13:45 “As for the person with a leprous affection, his clothes shall be rent, his head shall be left bare, and he shall cover over his upper […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of April 19th, 2020 Contagion and quarantine in the Bible. Lev 13:4  “The priest shall isolate the affected person for seven days.” Lev 13:45 “As for the person with a leprous affection, his clothes shall be rent, his head shall be left bare, and he shall cover over his upper […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of April 5th, 2020 Lev 11:2  “These are the creatures that you may eat” — but what determines that?  What do they have in common?  And what connects this chapter to the story of creation? This week’s handout: 26 Shemini 5780 Donate! Learn Biblical Hebrew!

This is Torah Talk for the week of April 5th, 2020 Lev 11:2  “These are the creatures that you may eat” — but what determines that?  What do they have in common?  And what connects this chapter to the story of creation? This week’s handout: 26 Shemini 5780 Donate! Learn Biblical Hebrew!