(Torah Portion Beha’aloscha) Bring Up the Rear! The Torah relates that after just about a year of being encamped at Mount Sinai, the Jews were instructed to begin traveling towards the Land of Israel. At this time the Jews were encamped in a specific formation. The Tabernacle was in the center of the encampment surrounded …
Category: 5776
Sep 27
Mistakes
(Torah Portion Vayikra) Mistakes! One good thing about changing the clock – just like jetlag – you can blame a mistake or an oversight for a few days on it. The other morning it happened. It was a bit darker in the morning when I was getting dressed for Minyan – services. No one noticed …
Sep 27
The Next Day
(Torah Portion Tzav) The Next Day! Yesterday was Purim and today is called Shushan Purim. Here’s the reason why. The Megilla tells us that King Achashvairosh’s palace was in Shushan Habirah – Shushan the capital. In truth, Shushan was not always host to the king’s palace; the kings, such as Nevuchadetzar, who preceding Achashvairosh, resided …
Sep 27
Role Models
(Torah Portion Shemini) Role Models! The Torah relates a tragic incident that occurred during the inauguration service of the Temple. Nadav and Avihu, two of Aaron’s sons, had their souls snuffed out by a heavenly fire for an infraction they committed in performing their service. The Torah records their father Aaron accepted the Divine judgment …
Sep 27
Renewal
(Torah Portion Tazria) Renewal! Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki – universally known as Rashi – is the foremost commentator on both our written Torah and our Oral Law – the Talmud. In his commentary on the first verse of the Torah he asks, why did G-d begin the Torah – which is essentially a Book of Law …