Related Blog Posts on Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ: Parashat Acharei Mot

April 19, 2013
by Cherie Half At the core of Parashat Acharei Mot is the question of change. This week's Torah parashah discusses the foundation for laws affecting sexual relations and the separation of women, which is termed the "holiness" code of Leviticus.
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Voices of WRJ: Parashat Tazria-M’tzora

April 12, 2013
by Judith O. Rosenkranz The parashah for this week (Tazria-M’tzora, Lev. 12:1-15:33) opens with these words are, “Adonai spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the Israelite people thus.” This phrase keeps coming back to me for it empowers Moses to relay to the entire Israelite people what he has been told. This empowering of leadership, this transfer of authority, seems very real as we have just held a conference call with the WRJ Centennial Ambassadors during which we reviewed our WRJ Centennial Shabbat Services. These Ambassadors, selected by each Sisterhood, were empowered to produce their own individual service in celebration of the WRJ Centennial. There were many suggestions and supplies made available, but it was up to each individual Ambassador as to what she would do, how it was done, and to a degree when it was done. The variations were as many as there were Sisterhoods around the globe!
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Voices for WRJ: Parashat Sh’mini

April 5, 2013
by Ellen A. Pollack This week’s parashah (Sh’mini, Leviticus 9:1-11:47) describes the ritual on the day after Aaron’s ordination ceremony, the story of the fire from God that kills Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s oldest sons, and concludes with dietary laws.
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Voices for WRJ: Miriam: Celebration and Sacred Connection

Cynthia Roosth Wolf
 March 29, 2013

Editors' Note: This d'var Torah is part of a series that was written by WRJ executive committee member Cynthia Roosth Wolf for adaptation and use by sisterhoods/women's groups during the 2013 WRJ Centennial year. The following d’var Torah from an earlier...

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Voices for WRJ: Parashat Tzav

Edith Caplan
 March 22, 2013

This week’s parashah (Tzav, Lev. 6:1–8:36) is one that is a bit difficult for us in these modern times to relate to as it refers to the many kinds of sacrificial offerings made by the Israelites to God.

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Voices for WRJ: Parashat Vayikra

March 15, 2013
by Rabbi Jaimee Shalhevet I remember being six years old, sitting at my parents’ Rosh Hashanah dinner table trying to add something to the conversation. They were talking with my grandparents and other family guests about my aunt’s new neighbors. I sat in a big wooden chair just barely able to see above the table listening as my aunt clearly stated matter of factly, “I don’t know how they could let people like that move into my neighborhood.” For about 10 minutes, I tried to speak my six year old mind about how all people are equal in the eyes of God and that we all deserve to live wherever we wish. Finally, my squeaking was interrupted with my grandfather’s sharp look and his stern words of, “children should be seen and not heard.” Well, I had had it. I swallowed my food, raised my hand, and actually waited to be called on. My parents are both teachers and so it did not take them long to notice, and they called on me to speak. I looked at my aunt and back again towards my grandfather. I spoke in soft, distinct tones. “Those people,” I began, “Earn as much money as you or else they could not afford to live in your neighborhood. They have a dog and they always smile at me when I visit. I want to know why they would want to live near you. Conversation stopped.
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Voices for WRJ: Parashat Vayak’heil-Pekudei

March 8, 2013
by Helene H. Waranch This week we read the last two portions of Exodus: Vayak’heil and Pekudai. The Israelites have received the second set of the Ten Commandments and Adonai now believes they are ready to build the Tabernacle, the portal sanctuary for worship.
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Voices for WRJ: Parashat Ki Tisa

Diane Kaplan
March 1, 2013

I knew when I chose to write this week’s D’var Torah on this portion that it was my birth portion but I did not realize that this year, it would come the week after my birthday. I didn’t know that my birthday would be on Purim and that this was the Torah portion that would be read on the Friday night that has been designated as Centennial Shabbat. A rabbi once told me that we are born to our Torah portions. So, since we often say that there are no coincidences, this was obviously the portion I was meant to write about! Still I have never been one to write traditional Dvrei Torah and this one is no exception. I hope you enjoy it.

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Voices for WRJ: Parashat T’tzaveh

February 22, 2013
by Lyn Feldman This week's Torah portion, T'tzaveh, talks about the construction of the priestly garments, particularly the clothing of the high priest Aaron, that are to be worn in the Tabernacle. The parashah also describes the ordination of the priests, a necessary step before the Tabernacle can start to function, and discusses the sacrifices that will take place there.
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Voices for WRJ: Parashat T’rumah

February 15, 2013

This week’s Torah portion is T’rumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19) where the Eternal One spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the Israelite people, and have them take for Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart is so moved. And these are the gifts that you shall take from them: gold, silver, and copper; blue, purple and crimson yarns, fine linens, wood, oil, spices, and gemstones. And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.”

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