The parashat hashavua, the Torah reading of the week read all over the Jewish world, is called Hukat – “law”. There are two words often used for “law” in the Torah: hukah, or hok, and mishpat. You will often see them mentioned together, and they are usually translated with words that seem like synonyms to us:Continue reading “parashat hashavua Hukat: listening for the bat kol”
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parashat hashavua Korakh: Makhloket
Our concept for the week is makhloket, which means “argument” or “disagreement” but comes from a root that can also mean “slippery”. It is a Hebrew word with impressive pedigree. In the Talmud, our Sages explain that there are two kinds of makhloket, that which is “for the sake of heaven” and that which is “notContinue reading “parashat hashavua Korakh: Makhloket”
parashat hashavua: Shelakh-L’kha: They Might Be Giants
This week’s parashah teaches about the challenge of going forth into uncharted territory. This, of course, is what we face all the time; but many of us fear it, avoid it, and do a bad job of coping with it despite the experience we all have of change in our lives. High school seniors lookContinue reading “parashat hashavua: Shelakh-L’kha: They Might Be Giants”
parashat Behaalot’kha: Levites as Elevation Offering
The parashah called Beha’alot’kha describes the work of the Levites, the group that serves G-d by tending to the Mishkan, the sacred space created by the Israelites as a focal point to which they would come when seeking to sense the Presence of G-d. The Levites are set apart in a very special way: “BringContinue reading “parashat Behaalot’kha: Levites as Elevation Offering”
parashat Behar-Behukotai: what does shemitta have to do with Mt. Sinai?
Once again we have a double parasha this week. According to our minhag, we’ll read a bit from the first third of both parshas, depending on what catches our eye and looks intriguing. It must be admitted, though, that the first several verses of parashat Behar already contain a world. “The Eternal spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai saying, speak toContinue reading “parashat Behar-Behukotai: what does shemitta have to do with Mt. Sinai?”
parashat Emor 5773, and 32nd Day of the Omer
This week’s parashat hashavua is called Emor, “speak”. As in, “G-d said to Moshe, speak to the children of Israel and say to them….” – a not-uncommon idea in the four books of the Torah in which Moshe is a primary figure. In this case, however, G-d is telling Moshe to speak to a particularContinue reading “parashat Emor 5773, and 32nd Day of the Omer”
Parashat Akharei Mot-Kedoshim: Reason to Live
This week we read a doubled parasha, just as we did last week. The words that provide the title of the first parashah are Akharei Mot – “after the death”. The words refer to the deaths of Nadav and Abihu, Aaron’s two sons who died suddenly, without warning, tragically, only a few verses of Torah ago. The second parashah is named Kedoshim – “holy ones”, takenContinue reading “Parashat Akharei Mot-Kedoshim: Reason to Live”
parashat Tazria-Metzora: Jews At Our Best Are Women
The opening of this week’s double parashat hashavua, linking Tazria and Metzora, begins with a passage which is often understood as negative, even misogynist. A woman giving birth goes into seclusion: “she shall be impure” for a time, and then her period of “blood purification” will continue for thirty-three days upon the birth of a boy, and sixty-six upon a girl’sContinue reading “parashat Tazria-Metzora: Jews At Our Best Are Women”
parashat Shemini: Tragedy
In parashat Shemini, the Jewish world’s Torah reading for this week, the long process of building the first Jewish sanctuary – the mishkan – is completed, the priests – Aaron and his four sons – are ordained, the mishkan is dedicated, and the first sacrifices are finally being brought. The Israelites are thrilled to see the work of the entire community brought toContinue reading “parashat Shemini: Tragedy”
The Shabbat of Hol HaMo’ed Pesakh: The Door is Still Open
The parashat hashavua for this Shabbat depends on which day of Pesakh we are in. This year, since Pesakh began on Monday night, we are deep into the hol hamo’ed part ofPesakh, the “normal” part of the Festival of our Freedom (and our Matzah). “Normal”, in this context, means neither the first two days nor the last day of theContinue reading “The Shabbat of Hol HaMo’ed Pesakh: The Door is Still Open”
Torah for the 21st Century by Rabbi Ariel Stone 