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 …
Weekly Torah Reading, Shemini, April 22, 2017
Our Religious Leaders 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? The Torah …
Weekly Torah Reading for the Shabbat of Passover, April 15, 2017
A Stiff-Necked People In this week’s reading (a special reading for the Shabbat that falls within the days of Passover), Moses refers to Israel as a “stiff-necked people” (Exod 34:9). I once heard a rabbi explain this expression by …
Weekly Torah Reading, Shabbat ha-Gadol, April 8, 2017
Some Pointers for the Seder Here are some of my annual tips for the first night of Passover: Reclining The whole reason for having a Passover seder is to carry out the Torah’s commandment, “And you shall …
Weekly Torah Reading, Vayyikra, April 1, 2017
Can a Convert Keep His or Her Old Name? Nowadays it is customary for someone who converts to Judaism to take on a new name—often Abraham for a man and Ruth for a woman, since both these biblical figures …