This week’s Torah portion, Tzav, continues with the instruction of the Kohayns on bringing the different types of offerings. The portion culminates in Leviticus chapter 8 with the Miluim, the installment of the Kohayns. In Yayikra chapter 7:11 and following, one specific type of sacrifice is discussed, the “peace” offering, the Shlamim. The reason…
This week, Shabbat HaChodesh, we begin the book of Vayikra. Vayikra is also called Torat Kohanim, instruction to the Priests. This can be a bit confusing because the Sifra, the Midrash Halacha regarding Vayikra, is also referred to as Torat Kohanim. One must simply determine which is being discussed from context. The connection between the…
Moses called the whole community of the children of Israel to assemble, and he said to them: “These are the things that the Lord commanded to make. Six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have sanctity, a day of complete rest to the Lord; whoever performs work thereon [on…
“And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed: Lord, Lord, compassionate and merciful G-d, Who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth, preserving loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and rebellion and sin; yet He does not completely clear [of sin] He visits the iniquity of parents on…
This week’s portion discusses one of the greatest events that take place for the children of Israel before they enter the land of the promise, the Miluim. The Miluim is the installation and ordination of the Kohayns. This ceremony marks the beginning of Judaic practice that is been passed down or thousands of years until…
This week’s parsha deals with a concept that is not widely understood. What is Teruma? Why is there Teruma? What purpose does it serve and why pay attention to the idea? Concisely, Teruma is stuff dedicated to Hashem. Teruma comes in many shapes and sizes; a primary characteristic is that Teruma is given voluntarily. Teruma…
We will do and we will hear. The children of Israel state this phrase to Hashem at Sinai. Much has been written about it, with good reason. One would think that the phrase should be reversed, we will hear and we will do. But the children of Israel did not respond this way, they responded…
In the Babylonian Talmud, tractate Shabbat 88b, the Sage Yehoshua Ben Levi explains that when Hashem uttered the first words of the Dibraya, all the people at Sinai died. That is, the Neshama of all of Israel, at Sinai, left their bodies. He derives this from Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) 5:6, which states “My…
ה’ אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה ‘ה שְׁמוֹ׃ HaShem is a man of war, HaShem is His Name Ex 15:3 In this week’s Torah portion, Israel has its back to the sea and is surrounded by the army of Egypt. This is the most technologically advanced army of its age. It has M1 chariots, and Israel has no…
Parshat Bo ends in chapter 13 with a series of commandments given to the children of Israel before Sinai. The children of Israel are commanded to keep the Festival of Matzah year-by-year. We are commanded not to eat anything with leavening for 7 days. We are commanded to tell our sons that we keep this…