This week’s parashah combines B'har and B’chukotai. B'har presents the laws for observing the sabbatical and jubilee years and addresses caring for the poor and the land. B’chukotai lays out the rewards and consequences for obeying God’s rules.

The people..

I grew up as a classical Reform Jew. My parents attempted to consolidate my father’s Orthodox background with my mother’s Reform Judaism. That translated to my brother going to the shul while I was sent to the Temple.

This week’s Torah portion is Acharei Mot-K’doshim. It is one of those challenging portions when you must dig to find a message for women. Acharei Mot is divided into 3 parts:

1. Steps to insure safety when approaching the Divine,
2. Laws concerning the eating..

This week’s Voices is written by Lillian Kowalski who is a 3rd year rabbinical student at HUC-JIR in LA. She graduated last year from the Rhea Hirsch School of Education with a Masters in Jewish Education and received her bachelors from Brandeis University. ..

In this portion, Aaron and his sons begin to officiate as kohanim (priests). Aaron’s two elder sons, Nadav and Avihu offer “alien fire” to God, and God punishes them by killing them immediately. God forbids Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s surviving sons from...

Oh, the sweetness of Shabbat. Our day to rest and acknowledge our role of being God’s partner--yet taking the day “off” from creating.

This week’s Voices is written by Joanne Loiben who is a 2nd year rabbinical student at HUC-JIR in LA. Joanne is one of 6 students who are receiving YES Fund scholarships this year from WRJ.

Parshat Tzav is meant to grab your attention.

Parashat Vayikra (“and God called”) is a challenging text. This portion deals with animal sacrifices – certainly not an area that any of us are familiar with as part of our daily lives.

This week we double our learning with parashiot: Vayak’heil (Exodus 35:1-38:20) and P’kudei (Exodus 38:21- 40:38).