Torah Study
Weekly Torah Study - Shemini 5772
" For seven days, the Israelites have celebrated the formal inauguration of the priesthood. On the eighth day, while performing the final rituals, tragedy strikes. Aaron's two oldest sons, Nadab and Abihu, bring an alien fire not commanded by God. A fire comes forth from the Lord and consumes ...
Weekly Torah Study -Parashat Yitro
Yitro (Jethro), Moses' father-in-law, arrives at the Israelite camp with Moses' wife Zipporah and his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Moses tells Yitro of all the goodness that the Lord has done for the people Israel. The next day, Yitro sees that Moses is busy adjudicating cases from early morning ...
Weekly Torah Study - Parashat Vayikra
The third book of the Torah is often called Torat Kohanim, a primer for the priesthood. The first several portions (parashiot) deal with the laws of sacrifice and of ritual purity, laws that for the most part have fallen out of practice today. However, there are still many valuable insights we can ...
Weekly Torah Study - Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei
With this long double portion, the Torah describes in detail the manufacture of the portable tabernacle. Before the construction begins, Moses gathers the people together and tells them to keep the Sabbath. They shall burn no lights in their homes on the Sabbath day. The people begin to bring all ...
Weekly Torah Study - Parashat Vayera
God appears to Abraham, who is recovering in his tent after his circumcision. Abraham then sees three men standing nearby and invites them in, washing their feet and preparing an entire meal for them. The men predict that at this season next year, Sarah will give birth to a son. Sarah laughs, ...
Weekly Torah Study - Parashat Tzav
Parashat Tzav continues the section of Sefer Vayikra that focuses on the detailed laws of sacrifice. God commands the priests to keep a fire burning on the altar at all times. Next, the priest is told to dress in special linen clothing and carry the ashes to a sacred place outside the altar. ...
Weekly Torah Study - Parashat Terumah
This week's portion describes in great detail the building of the tabernacle (mishkan), a portable tent and worship center that the Israelites will carry through the wilderness. God tells Moses to command the people, "Make me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). Notice that the ...
Weekly Torah Study - Parashat Mishpatim
Some people say that God is in the details. That idea certainly fits with this week's portion. We move from the broad moral and religious issues discussed in the Ten Commandments to the day-to-day details of living life under the covenant. This week's parasha contains a long list of civil and ...
Weekly Torah Study - Parashat Beshalach
This week we read about the great crossing of the Sea of Reeds (sometimes translated as the Red Sea).The Israelites flee from Egypt and encamp by the sea. God leads them, taking the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Pharaoh changes his mind and pursues the Israelites ...
Weekly Torah Study - Parashat Bo
This portion climaxes in the great redemption of the Israelites from Egypt. God brings two more plagues on Egypt, locusts and a thick darkness, where people could not see one another for three days. Pharaoh tries to work out a compromise, letting the Israelites go taking their elders but not the ...