Weekly Torah Reading, Tazria‘-Metzora‘, April 17, 2021
Impurity and its Causes Leviticus 12:1-15:33 Last week’s reading, Shemini, began with the death of Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu. They obviously did something wrong in what was to be the inauguration of the tabernacle (mishkan). Whatever it was—bringing …
Weekly Torah Reading, Shemini April 10, 2021
Not the Silence of Aaron Leviticus 9:1 – 13:47 Why were Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu, struck dead in the desert tabernacle (mishkan)? Everything was all set for the inauguration of regular sacrificial worship in the mishkan, and then this tragedy—why? …
Weekly Torah Reading, Seventh Day of Passover, April 3, 2021
“This Is…” Shabbat this week is also the Seventh Day of Passover. On it we read again the events leading up to the great song of triumph that the Israelites sang after having been miraculously saved from their Egyptian pursuers. …
Weekly Torah Reading, the Shabbat Before Passover, March 27, 2021
Leviticus 6:1-8:36 Telling the Children The whole purpose of the seder on Passover evening (this year it falls on next Sunday night) is to carry out the biblical commandment for parents to tell our children about Israel’s enslavement in …
Weekly Torah Reading, Vayyiqra, March 20, 2021
Leviticus 1:1-5:26 Almost Great The Shabbat preceding Passover used to have a special role in many Jewish communities. It was a time when the rabbi would stand before the congregation and review the various rules and customs surrounding the coming …
Weekly Torah Reading, Vayyakhel-Pekudei, March 13, 2021
Exodus 35:1-40:38 Mirrors of Modesty This week’s reading recounts in detail how the Israelites carried out God’s commandment to build a tabernacle (mishkan)—the moveable sanctuary that would serve as a kind of temple during their wanderings in the wilderness. …
Weekly Torah Reading, Ki Tissa, March 6, 2021
30:11-34:34 The Mystery of Hur Moses was on Mt. Sinai for forty days and forty nights, during which time God revealed to him the various laws and regulations to be included in the Torah. But as this period dragged …
Weekly Torah Reading, Tetsavveh, February 27, 2021
Exodus 27:20-30:10 Adam’s Clothes This week’s Torah reading describes the special garments to be worn by the kohanim (priests) in the Temple. Those garments were no minor detail. In ancient Israel, clothes made the kohen; kohanim couldn’t serve in …