If we are going to talk about Shavuot, let’s begin at Mount Sinai, where, according to our tradition, the first Shavuot was inaugurated. The mountain trembled violently. There was thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and fire descending from heaven. The…
Category: Uncategorized
Priests and Protocol
In Parashat Shemini, we are confronted with the sobering story of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who bring what the Torah calls esh zarah, strange or unauthorized fire, before the Lord. While the exact nature of their offense…
Tzav – Ear, Thumbs and Toes
The book of Vayikra is often referred to as the Torat Kohanim, The Teachings of the Priests. It contains the exact prescriptions for the kohanim to minister in the Mishkan and later in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Its topics…
Terumah – The Presence of God in Our Homes, Hearts, and Worship
The central question in the book of Exodus is simple yet profound: “Is God with us or not?” This is not just a theological inquiry but a matter of practical living for the Israelites as they journey through the wilderness.…
Mishpatim – A Way to Live in the Presence of the Lord
This week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, can feel like a bit of a letdown following the sacred drama at Mount Sinai recorded for posterity in Parashat Yitro. At the conclusion of last week’s parasha, Israel is given immortality with its designation…
Va’eira – Accepting Our Heritage
It has been said that the life of Moses can be seen as three distinct movements, forty years each. First Moses spends the first forty years thinking he is somebody. He has fallen by providence into the royal court of…
Miketz and Hanukkah – Unity the Ultimate Miracle
The conflict between the diversity of humanity is woven throughout the entire book of Genesis. From the moment of creation, the tensions between male and female, parents and progeny, and of course between siblings pervades the narratives of the book.…
Noach – Lessons From Dry Ground
The past several decades, and especially this year, seem to bring new catastrophic threats and concerns to the southeast portion of the Americas and the Caribbean Islands. This year as 2 hurricanes rapidly made land fall within a few week’s,…
Everybody Needs a Hero
Everybody needs a hero although often we don’t get the one we expect. Today’s Torah portion describes the heroic actions of Aaron, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Like most true heroes, he had to rise to an occasion greater than…
Tetzaveh – Holy Advocates
Early in this week’s parasha we are introduced to the new and exotic station given to Aaron and his sons—the role and office of the Kohanim (priests). They would become the highest religious authorities in the Torah, providing a stable…