Parshat Maasei opens with a review of the journeys the Jews traveled during their forty years in the Sinai Desert, where they camped in a total of 42 cities. The Torah then focuses its attention on the Jews entering the Land of Israel. They are commanded to drive out the Canaanites; if not, these people […]
The parsha of Mattos opens with a discussion of the laws of vows and oaths. The Torah impresses upon us to take our words seriously and not fall victim to the “talk is cheap” mentality. The Torah then describes the Jewish people’s battle against Midian and their eventual victory. Before the Jews cross into the […]
Parshas Pinchos opens with the culmination of the saga that began in last week’s portion, when Pinchas, Aaron’s grandson, slew the prince of the tribe of Shimon as he publicly engaged in a licentious act. G-d rewards Pinchas with the Covenant of Peace and the priesthood. Pinchas’s quick response stops a plague that had broken […]
This week’s parsha, Sh’lach, recounts a pivotal episode in the Jewish People’s journey through the desert. As the Jewish People prepare to enter the Land of Israel, they send twelve eminent leaders to survey the Promised Land, ten of whom return with negative reports. Caleb and Joshua are the only ones who speak well of […]
This week’s portion, Nasso, is the longest parsha in the Torah. It describes and assigns the care- taking jobs that the Levites were to perform to serve the Creator in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Torah then commands that people who are afflicted with certain spiritual impurities are to be removed from the Jewish camp to […]
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. […]