Parsha P’kudi: A Personal Torah to Completion

This week we finished the 2nd book of the Torah which is called Shmot (Exodus).  The concluding parsha (weekly Torah portion) is called P’kudi.  The root of this word has many meanings including,:to order, to remember, and to count.  In context, p’kudi means, “The countings or the accounts,” as in, These are the accounts of the mishcan (tabernacle)…,” which is in fact how the parsha begins. You see, the parsha begins with Moshe telling the tribe of Levi to take … Continue reading

Parsha Vayakhail: A Torah on Oops

Next week, we wrap up the book of Shmot (Exodus), but before we can do that, let us review what we read this week. The parsha (Torah portion) for this week is called Vayakhail which means, “And he assembled,” as in Moshe (Moses) assembled the whole community of the children of Yisrael. If you recall from last week’s parsha, Moshe goes up the mountain for 40 days and nights, and we build a golden calf.  Moshe comes down and destroys … Continue reading

Parsha Key Tisa: A Torah on Anger Management

Key tisa, which literally means “That you will raise,” is the name of this week’s parsha (Torah portion).   The verse continues with, “The heads of the children of Yisrael to redeem them and give a man atonement of his soul to haShem (god) in redeeming them and there will not be in them a plague in their redemption.” Basically we are talking here of the first census of the people, but I do find it interesting that the raising of … Continue reading

Parsha T’tzaveh: Where to Find the Hidden Essence

This week’s parsha (Torah portion) is very unusual.  It starts by saying, “And you will command the children of Israel…”  Why does it say this instead of the usual, “And god spoke to Moshe saying…?” Before I look at that, let’s get an overview of what our parsha contains.  It starts with haShem (god) telling Moshe (Moses) to command the children of Israel to bring the oil that Aharon and his sons will use to light the menorah every day. … Continue reading