Weekly Torah Reading, Koraḥ, June 12, 2021
Numbers 16:1-18:32 Altogether Holy Korah is the villain of this week’s Torah reading, the leader of a foiled rebellion against Moses and Aaron. “Look, all of us are holy,” Korah said to them. By this he meant that …
Weekly Torah Reading, Shelaḥ Lekha, June 5, 2021
Numbers 13:1-15:41 Being an Ish Commentators have long noticed a contradiction in the Torah’s account of the tribal leaders who were sent to spy out the land of Canaan. In this week’s reading, the idea of sending them clearly …
Weekly Torah Reading, Beha‘alotekha, May 29, 2001
Numbers 8:1-12:16 Oh, the Cucumbers! In the book of Ecclesiastes, the author advises, “Don’t say, ‘How has it come about that things were better in earlier times than now?’ for you are not asking about this out of wisdom” …
Weekly Torah Reading, Naso, May 22, 2021
Numbers 4:21-7:89 The Priestly Blessing Among all the different items covered in this week’s reading is a brief commandment to Aaron and his sons. As is well known, Aaron’s sons will henceforth be the kohanim, the hereditary priests …
Weekly Torah Reading: Shavu‘ot, May 17, 2021
By Word of Mouth The festival of Shavu‘ot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It is marked with special celebrations and readings in synagogue, and many Jews stay up all night on Shavu‘ot eve to devote themselves …
Weekly Torah Reading, BeHar-Beḥukkotai, May 8, 2021
Leviticus 25:1-27:34 Very, Very Much Humble This week’s reading mostly consists of a long list of misfortunes that will befall the people of Israel if they fail to keep God’s commandments. This list is so terrible that we …
Weekly Torah Reading, Emor, May 1, 2021
“Which You Proclaim” Leviticus 21:1-24:23 How do you know today’s date in the Hebrew calendar? Simple: you look up “Hebrew Calendar” on the internet, or else consult the Hebrew calendar you got in the mail from your synagogue or …
Weekly Torah Reading, Aharei Mot-Kedoshim, April 24, 2021
Leviticus 16:1 to 20:27 Like Yourself No doubt the most famous verse in this week’s double reading, Aḥarei Mot-Kedoshim, is Lev 19:18, “You shall love your neighbor like yourself.” Rabbi Akiva declared that this verse is nothing less than …