This week’s parashah starts by saying the Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, plus their dependents. Moreover, a mixed multitude went out with them and many livestock, both flocks and herds. It ends with...
The parashah for this week is M’tzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33). These passages provide instruction for purification rituals for people and homes afflicted with tzaraat (a skin condition, often identified as Leprosy).
Several weeks ago, I was asked to speak about sisterhood at a brunch for new and potential members of my congregation. The woman who was the brunch organizer, a well-established member of the congregation, introduced me as the first person that she had met...
What does it mean to be holy?
In modern parlance, we “do lunch” with friends, and we “have conversations” about everything from work to children, from sisterhood to cooking. We “meet up” for social activities and for religious events.
For many modern Jews, the teachings of our Torah can often feel distant and even irrelevant to the world in which we live. This week's Torah portion, Parashat Tzav, is a good example. It contains instructions for the rituals of sacrifices and explains the...
We read in Pirkei Avot, “Be among the disciples of Aaron – seek peace and pursue it.” One of our highest aspirations as Jews is to establish peace within our homes, within our communities, and in our world.
In parashah Vayikra, we learn about the sacrifices the Israelites need to make for God. We learn that animal sacrifice is a way to approach and to be near God. The rituals of sacrifice were performed as a way to thank God for good fortune and to ask...
Where do we look? How do we find them?
This week’s Torah portion, Pekudei, concludes the book of Exodus. The construction of the Mishkan or portable Tabernacle used by the Israelites in the desert is complete and we are told of its success.
In Parashah Va-yak’heil God continues the descriptive instructions in the actual construction of the Tabernacle with three specific introductory instructions. The first covers the observance of Shabbat.
Ki Tisa, this week’s Torah portion, is the one I dedicated in “The Torah: A Women's Commentary.” That is because it was the portion on the day I was born. I thought that would be a great starting point for my d'var.