Parshas Acharei Mos begins with a lengthy description of the of the special Yom Kippur service in the Temple and the requirement that Yom Kippur be observed eternally by the Jewish people as a day of atonement. The Torah then stresses that the Exodus should mean not only that the Jews had physically left Egypt, […]
Parshat Metzorah details the way in which a person becomes tahor, or spiritually re-energized, after tzora’as (leprosy-like condition) has gone away. Included in this process are immersions, special offerings, and shaving of the entire body. The Torah then discusses how tzora’as can appear on one’s home. The final chapter of the portion discusses different conditions […]
Parshat Tazria describes various categories of tumah, or spiritual impurity, such as tzora’at, a disease that is a physical manifestation of spiritual malaise. It comes upon a person, primarily, for the sin of speaking ill of other people (lashon hara). In nature, it is similar to leprosy. A person afflicted with tzora’at is called a […]
This week’s Torah portion, Parshas Shemini, details the events that took place the day the Mishkan was consecrated. Aaron brings special sacrifices in honor of the occasion. Moshe and Aaron bless the assembled Jews with the benediction that G-d’s glory should rest on their handiwork, the Mishkan. Tragically, Aaron’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu, die […]
This week’s Torah portion, Tzav, focuses on the kohanim (priests) and provides details about the daily mishkan (tabernacle) service. The parsha discusses the various karbanos (offerings) that the kohanim would offer and also mentions that the kohanim must bring offerings with the proper intent. Each offering must be eaten in a state of ritual purity. […]
This week’s Torah portion, Parshas Vayikra, discusses the different korbanos (offerings) that the Jews brought in the mishkan (tabernacle) as part of their service to G-d. Besides the daily offering, known as korban tamid, there were 3 optional and 2 obligatory offerings. The optional offerings were brought when one had the desire to show his […]
Parshat Pekudei begins with an accounting of the gold, silver and copper that the people contributed to the Mishkan. The Torah details the making of the bigdei kehuna – the priestly vestments worn by the kohanim while serving in the Mishkan. After all the vessels and garments are completed, G-d tells Moshe where to place […]
Parshas Vayakhel begins by briefly mentioning the laws of Shabbos and then proceeds to the main theme of the Parsha, the construction of the mishkan (tabernacle). Moses assembles the entire nation of Israel and lists the raw materials that G-d has instructed them to use. The Jewish People donate everything that is needed. The nesi’im […]
Parshat Tetzave concerns itself almost exclusively with the Kohanim (Priests). After stipulating that the Kohanim are defined as Aaron and his children, the Torah then introduces the special garments they wear when performing the service in the mishkan (tabernacle). Just as those who serve in a royal palace wear special uniforms, the Kohanim wear special […]
Parshat Terumah discusses the construction of the mishkan, a “traveling Temple” in which the Divine Presence rested during the Jews’ travels in the desert and until the Temple was built in Jerusalem. G-d narrates to Moshe the exact measurements of the construction components and the holy vessels, along with a list of materials to be […]