This Torah portion appears immediately following the giving of the Ten Commandments.
Beginning with “These are the rules you shall set before them,” God instructs Moses to impart specific rules governing various aspects of day-to-day life.
In this Torah portion, the Israelites lose two of their leaders: Miriam and Aaron. When Aaron dies, the people are prepared – they observed Moses, Aaron and Eleazar ascend Mount Hor.
In this Torah portion, the Israelites lose two of their leaders: Miriam and Aaron. When Aaron dies, the people are prepared–they observed Moses, Aaron, and Eleazar ascend Mount Hor. Later, when only Moses and Eleazar (wearing Aaron’s vestments) descend from the mountain, they realize that Aaron has died. They mourn him for 30 days before continuing on their journey. Miriam’s death seems to come without warning. It is at the very beginning of the parashah that her death is recounted, naming the place of her death and burial but no official morning period is mentioned.
In the book of Deuteronomy, we read the many and various strictures upon behavior of the Israelites, which they will need to abide by when entering and conquering the land promised to them. The parashah, Ki Teitzei (Deut. 21:10-25:19), contains laws in different categories, many of which apply directly to women and family matters.
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.