Parsha Shmini: Merging with God and Living to Tell the Tale

At last we are getting to the weekly Torah portion (parsha) called Shmini.   I say, “At last,” because our parsha has been preempted, for the last two shabbats, by the holy days involved with our becoming a people:  Pesach (Passover). Shmini is an interesting parsha, recounting the first sacrifices made by the newly anointed priests in the newly created mishcan (tabernacle).  At the climax, after haShem (god/dess) comes down on the people and eats the sacrifices, two of Aharon’s … Continue reading

The Lotteries are Coming, the Lotteries are Coming

Purim.  It means, “Lotteries,” in Hebrew.  Ok, it really means lots, as in drawing lots, which is what a lottery is.  And it is a Jewish holiday where we give out gifts of food to friends, and charity to anyone who asks.  A day where we put on costumes and get so drunk we can’t tell the difference between:  “Blessed is Mordechai (the good guy),” and cursed is Haman (the bad guy).  Oh, and we read/listen to the story of … Continue reading

The Lottery is Coming (Your Chance to Win)

Trick question alert:  What is the holiest day in the Jewish year?  If you say it is Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, you are wrong.  The answer is Purim. “Purim?”  I hear you ask,  “How can a day that requires us to get drunk be holier than the day of atonement?”  Ok, maybe the drunks aren’t asking – they probably already know the answer.  But for the rest of us, let me share with you a little secret:  our … Continue reading