by Rabbi | Jun 17, 2022 | Rabbi's Blog
Behaalotcha Behaalotcha opens with Aaron being commanded to raise light in the lamps of the menorah, and the tribe of Levi is initiated into the service in the Sanctuary. A “Second Passover” is instituted in response to the petition “Why should we be deprived?” by a...
by Rabbi | Feb 11, 2022 | Rabbi's Blog
We are embarking, for this and the next week, on what is called “the Shechinah unit”. That spans this week’s portion, Terumah, and the next, Tetzaveh. Both of those portions have the first description of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, and the unit begins and ends with...
by Rabbi | Feb 11, 2022 | Rabbi's Blog
Yitro is one of the three portions named after a non-Jew – the other two being Noach and Balak. Yitro, differently from the other two, even according to the Torah text, joins the Jewish people. This portion is famous because it is the one where the Ten Sayings appear,...
by Rabbi | Jan 1, 2022 | Rabbi's Blog
Vaera – Our portion begins with God revealing that God’s name has changed between the patriarchs and now. The “four expressions of redemption,” are used for the promise of taking the Jews out of Egypt and into the land. The Jews won’t listen, due to smallness of...
by Rabbi | Jul 18, 2021 | Rabbi's Blog
Kamtza, bar Kamtza and causes of destruction Yoma 9b:8 However, considering that the people during the Second Temple period were engaged in Torah study, observance of mitzvot, and acts of kindness, and that they did not perform the sinful acts that were performed in...
by Rabbi | Jul 18, 2021 | Rabbi's Blog
Shabbat Devarim ~ Shabbat Hazon Devarim begins a long day for Moshe – it is his last day. He decides to spend it talking to the people in three different speeches, or so it seems. Moshe opens with reviewing the events and telling the people to keep the Torah and...
