This week’s Torah portion, Kedoshim, delineates a multitude of mitzvos through which we can achieve sanctity, covering a wide variety of subjects, both positive commandments and negative injunctions. We are commanded to: Honor and fear our parents Guard the Shabbat from desecration Refrain from the worship of idols G-D instructs us to leave various gifts […]
Parshas Emor begins by discussing the higher level of purity that the kohanim (priests), and especially the kohen gadol (high priest), are required to maintain. A kohen is not permitted to come into contact with a dead body (except for that of a close relative) or become tamei (impure) in any other way. Additionally, a […]
Moshe continues his final message to the Jewish People in this week’s Torah portion, Eikev, elaborating upon the material rewards the Jews will receive if they adhere to the Torah and its commandments. They will be rewarded with riches. They will be spared from all pain and suffering. Other nations will respect their way of […]
This week’s Torah portion, Devarim, the first parsha in the book of Deuteronomy, contains Moshe’s last will and testament to the Jewish People. As Moshe is to die in five weeks’ time, he reviews the lessons derived from incidents that occurred in the desert, such as the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai and […]
Parshas Chukas begins by introducing us to the quintessential chok (a mitzvah whose meaning is not understood): The Red Heifer. The heifer was slaughtered and burned and its ashes were used to purify people who were tammei (impure), yet rendered the Priest who sprinkled them impure. The parsha then skips ahead thirty eight years to […]
This week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, opens with the passing of Sarah at the age of 127. Abraham searches for a suitable place to bury her. He chooses the Ma’arat Hamachpela (“The Doubled Cave”) located in Hebron, in which Adam and Eve are also buried. The owner of the cave, Ephron HaChitti, offers the property […]
Parshat Beshalach opens as the Jews begin to leave Egypt. Pharaoh – who in last week’s portion demanded that the Jews leave Egypt – changes his mind, and decides to pursue them. His armies advance on the Jews and trap them at the banks of the Red Sea. G-d instructs Moses to raise his hands; […]
Parshas Bo opens as the eighth plague hits Egypt: a thick swarm of locusts devour the Egyptian crops. Pharaoh begs Moses to remove the locusts and promises to free the Jews as soon as he complies. Moses asks G-d to remove the plague – but when the locusts are gone, Pharaoh reneges on his agreement. […]
Parshat Behar discusses the mitzvah of shmitta: the concept of letting the land of Israel lay fallow every seventh year in the shmitta cycle. For twelve months, Israeli farmers are on Sabbatical leave and can indulge themselves in purely spiritual pursuits. The Torah also discusses our obligations towards the poor and downtrodden. The most sublime […]
The Torah, in previous portions, discussed how to set up the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and how the Jews should camp around it. In this week’s portion, Beha’aloscha, the Torah turns its attention to describing how the Jews actually functioned as a nation in the desert. Aaron, the High Priest, is commanded to light the Menorah, […]