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
It is that time again for a word or two on this week’s parsha (Torah portion). The parsha is titled Pinchas (or Phineas for those of you with an English bent) and it is a strange beast. The week before, we left our heroes fighting a plague for getting involved in idol worship and having Pinchas come to the rescue by killing a high ranking Jew and his Midianite lover. In this parsha, Pinchas gets rewarded, and god tells Moshe … Continue reading
Hello everyone, Welcome to the whacky world of Torah where things are not as they seem. This week’s parsha (weekly Torah portion), at the beginning, seems one way, and then ends another way. It is called Balak, and we start talking a lot about him. That, however, is only to introduce our main character Bilim, who is hired to curse the children of Israel. However, he tells his employer, Balak, that he will only do what haShem (god) tells him. … Continue reading
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
This coming shabbat is called Shabbat Gadol (big or great shabbat), and I am hearing a lot about why this shabbat is called Shabbat Gadol. I am also hearing a lot about Pesach (Passover) which is less than 2 weeks away. I am hearing so much that I feel our poor little parsha (weekly Torah portion) is being left out in the cold. After all, it is kind of boring compared to Pesach. Pesach has lots of nooks and … Continue reading
Hello everyone, Once again it is time for our visit with the week’s parsha (Torah portion). This week’s parsha is called T’tzveh which can mean you will command and/or you will join. The parsha starts with haShem (god) talking to Moshe (moses) and saying, “atah t’tzveh” or, “You will command/connect the children of Yisrael and they will take to you pure pressed olive oil for lighting the eternal candle.” Someone, once pointed out to me that this is a unique … Continue reading