Parsha (double) Acharai-Kedushim: A Death and Holy Torah

We are on a roll.  This week is our second double parsha (weekly Torah portion) in a row.  It is called Acharai-Kedushim, though some call it Acharai mot-Kedushim.  The reason for the extra word is because the first word, acharai, means after, and some people feel that is not a distinctive enough word.  The second word means death. The name of the second of our two parshas is called Kedushim which is the plural form of the verb, “To separate … Continue reading

Parsha Shmini: Captain, We Have a Breach in the Torah

The parsha (weekly Torah portion) for this week is called Shmini and means, “8th,” as in the eighth day after Aharon and his sons began their initiation ritual.  I find it very interesting that this is the first time we have moved beyond a concept of seven days.  Seven is the directions: north, east, south, west, up, down, and center.  It is also the number of days god took to create the world.  So it represents the physical world or … Continue reading