This week we return to our normal weekly Torah readings (called parshas). The parsha for this week is called Shmini which means 8th and refers to the 8th day after Aharon and his sons started their initiation into the priesthood (which we read about 3 weeks ago, before Pesach/Passover). The intiation was a 7 day process, and now we are in the 8th day. Our parsha describes the days events, how Aharon does the sacrifices and blessings that lead to … Continue reading
This week’s parsha (Torah portion) is an interesting parsha because what we read depends on where we are. If you are in Israel, then you will be reading parsha Shmini. If you are outside of Israel, then you will be reading a special Pesach (Passover) parsha. Is this because we Jews like to make things difficult? Not really. It goes back to our roots. Without going into all the details, it has to do with how a Jewish month begins … Continue reading
This week is the first week of spring. And that means Pesach (Passover) is almost here. One of the interesting things about Pesach is that we are not allowed to have any leavening in our possession. Leavening is the result of fermented grain and is what makes bread rise. When I was in the orthodox world of Jerusalem, I heard that chometz (leavening) is symbolic of the ego. After all, aren’t both really just hot air? The idea is that … Continue reading
This week we start reading the third book of the Torah. It is called Vayikra in Hebrew, or Leviticus in English. The book deals a lot with the laws of the priesthood, the ins and outs of the sacrifices, and matters of purity. This leads us to ask: What is the connection between these 3? The answer starts with purity and the question of sin. I am defining sin as doing something other than what haShem (god) wants us to … Continue reading
Today is the first day of the first month of the year. Yeah, I know Rosh Hashanah is the new year, but I am just telling you what it said in one of the two parshas that we read this week. For those who don’t know, the Jewish calender is a lunar calender. In order to keep the month of spring in the springtime, an extra month getss added 7 times every 19 years. Every week, a portion of the … Continue reading
The parsha (Torah portion) that we read this shabbat is called Key Tisa which means, “When you lift/raise.” Now that we have finished the parsha that Moshe is not mentioned (click here for an explanation), the Torah immediately says that haShem (god) is talking to Moshe (Moses). HaShem is telling Moshe that when he raises up the heads of the children of Yisrael to count them, that person needs to give an atonement for his soul so that a plague … Continue reading
This week we read from the hidden parsha (weekly Torah portion), which is appropriate considering it is the parsha that is read either just before or right on (when we are not in a leap year) the most hidden of Jewish holidays: Purim. What is hidden and hiding? If you all are really nice, and truly believe in faeries, maybe I’ll tell you. 😉 But, before I do, I want to let you know that the parsha we read is … Continue reading
Hello fellow builders, The parsha (weekly Torah portion) we read this shabbat is all about haShem (god) telling Moshe (Moses) how to build the mishcan (tabernacle). It starts with haShem telling Moshe to tell the children of Yisrael to take for god a trumah (raising-up) offering from every man that has a desire in his heart to volunteer. The parsha is called Trumah for this reason. HaShem gives Moshe a list of the things that can be given for the … Continue reading
If you are looking for a sentence or two on the parsha (weekly Torah portion), you have come to the right place. After all, this week’s parsha is called Mishaptim which means sentences or judgements. In our case, it is referring to judgements on how to act, otherwise known as laws. However, they are called judgements and not laws for a reason. Perhaps I will explain that later. But first, the summary… If you recall from the end of the … Continue reading
This week is a really big week, full of fireworks and lights and revelations. Strangely enough, the parsha (weekly Torah portion) we read on shabbat is called Yitro (Jethro), which has nothing to do with Mount Sinai or even the giving of the Torah. Yitro is the name of a priest from Midian, who just happens to be Moshe’s (Moses) father-in-law, and who drops in to say hello, catch up on some news, and give some fatherly advice to Moshe. … Continue reading