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
Tag Archives: getting drunk
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
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