Weekly Torah Reading, Shelaḥ Lekha, June 17, 2017
To Be 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 came …
Weekly Torah Reading, Beha‘alotekha, June 10, 2017
The Good Old Days 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” (7:10). …
Weekly Torah Reading, Naso, June 3, 2017
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 in Israel, and one of their jobs, …
Weekly Torah Reading, BeMidbar, May 27, 2017
Don’t Look! This week’s Torah reading begins with a detailed census of Israel’s tribes. However, the Levites are not included in the census; they are listed separately afterwards. The Torah says that there were three main clans of …
Weekly Torah Reading, BeHar-Behukkotai, May 20, 2017
Unfair Advantage Ancient Israel was largely a farming economy. This week’s Torah portion stipulates that every seventh year is to be a “sabbatical” for the land: “You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard” (Lev 25:4). …
Weekly Torah Reading, Emor, May 13, 2017
“Which You Proclaim” Regular readers will recall that the procedure for determining the beginning of a month in the Hebrew calendar was somewhat involved (at least until the calendar was standardized, as it is today). Two reliable witnesses had …
Weekly Torah Reading, Aḥarei Mot-Kedoshim, May 6, 2017
The Tent of Meeting Bible critic walks into a psychiatrist’s office. “What seems to be the problem?” “Two nights ago I dreamt I was the Ohel Mo‘ed (Tent of Meeting). Last night I dreamt I was the Mishkan, the …
Weekly Torah Reading, Tazria‘-Metzora‘, April 29, 2017
Why These Two Readings? 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 an …