5101 US-42 • LOUISVILLE, KY 40241 • (502) 423-1818

Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)

/in

This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)

The book of Exodus finished with a Crisis, God dwells in the Sanctuary we build for God, but we cannot enter it.

Leviticus 1:1 the first verse in Leviticus says “Adonai called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting” – crisis resolved, God calls Moses to enter God’s dwelling place, the temple.

Rashi the greatest Jewish Torah commentator ever say “it was an expression of affection”.

Such a beautiful understanding of what our relations with the Divine ought to be! Affection!

Vayikra Summary:

God instructs Moses on the five different kinds of sacrifices that were to be offered in the sanctuary:

The olah or “burnt offering” was a voluntary sacrifice that had a high degree of sanctity and was regarded as the “standard” offering. The entire animal, except for its hide, was burned on the altar. (1:1-17)
The minchah or “meal offering” was a sacrifice made of flour, oil, salt, and frankincense that was partly burned on the altar and partly given to the priests to eat. (2:1-16)
The zevach sh’lamim or “sacrifice of well-being” was a voluntary animal offering from one’s herd, sometimes brought to fulfill a vow. (3:1-17)
The chatat or “sin offering” was an obligatory sacrifice that was offered to expiate unintentional sins. This offering differs from the others in the special treatment of the blood of the animal. (4:1-5:13)
The asham or “penalty offering” was an obligatory sacrifice of a ram that was required chiefly of one who had misappropriated property. (5:1-26)

Shalom Rav – Rabbi Gaylia’s Blog

/in

Rabbi Gaylia’s Blog has returned!

Jewish tradition teaches us that “pikuach nefesh,” the act of protecting and saving life, comes before all other religious obligations. Therefore, I pray that you are all “following the rules” for best practices to keep not only yourself safe, but others as well. Our careful and considerate behavior literally has the power to save lives-so let’s all do what we can!

As I’m sure you know, from an abundance of love for all of you and concern for everyone’s health, The Temple has been closed and is live-steaming not only services, but Adult Ed and Religious School classes, as well. Even if you weren’t taking classes, now is a great time to start!! While we may not have chosen this “sabbatical” from our usual lives, let us at least try to focus on the positive and use our extra time in meaningful ways!

The Talmud teaches us, “All of Israel is responsible for each other” (Shevuot 39a: Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh).

If you know anyone who’s older or immune-compromised, please check in regularly and send them support. We have volunteers who can  offer to help with shopping/groceries if they need it. If you fall into any of those categories, please let us know how we can help you by contacting us. The House of Israel has gone through many dark times and we know we can handle this. We can use these lessons to guide our behavior now. I know we will continue being a powerful spiritual community of resistance and love. 

Please remember to be kind and generous woth others while being vigilant about staying healthy and keeping others safe. 

With love and blessings to each of you,

May the H!LY  !NE surround you and your loved ones and give you strength and comfort as we face the uncertainty of the times we are in. 

“Be the reason people believe in the goodness of other people.“

I will close with an English version of the Jewish prayer for healing,the Mi Shebeirach. 

“Mi shebeirach avoteinu v’imoteinu, May the H!LY  !NE  Who blessed our ancestors bless __________________ . Give them courage and strength and surround them with Y!UR love. May they know peace and feel Y!UR  Presence every day.”

Rav Gaylia
Gaylia R. Rooks, Rabbi Emerita

Vayak’heil – P’kudei (Exodus 35:1–40:38)

/in

This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayak’heil – P’kudei (Exodus 35:1–40:38)

The Israelites finish building the Temple in the desert, the dwelling place for God amongst them. The cloud of Glory of Adonai fills the Temple and Moses cannot enter it! It is a moment of Crisis – the Israelites just finished a huge endeavor building God a Sanctuary so God can dwell amongst them. And at the end, God comes and they are not let in.

It will be resolved next week, as we begin Leviticus – stay tuned!

Vayak’heil – P’kudei Summary:

Moses teaches the rules of Shabbat. (35:1-3) Moses asks the Israelites for a donation of gifts and those who are skilled help build the Mishkan [Tabernacle] under the direction of Bezalel and Oholiab. (35:4-38:20) A statistical summary of the materials used for the Tabernacle and an account of producing the priestly vestments are recorded. Moses blesses the Israelites for the work they did. (38:21-39:42) Upon God’s instruction, Moses sets up the Mishkan and the priests are anointed and consecrated. (40:1-33) A description is given of a cloud that covers the Mishkan by day and a fire that burns by night, indicating God’s Presence therein. (40:33-38)This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayak’heil – P’kudei (Exodus 35:1–40:38)

The Israelites finish building the Temple in the desert, the dwelling place for God amongst them. The cloud of Glory of Adonai fills the Temple and Moses cannot enter it! It is a moment of Crisis – the Israelites just finished a huge endeavor building God a Sanctuary so God can dwell amongst them. And at the end, God comes and they are not let in.

It will be resolved next week, as we begin Leviticus – stay tuned!

Vayak’heil – P’kudei Summary:

Moses teaches the rules of Shabbat. (35:1-3) Moses asks the Israelites for a donation of gifts and those who are skilled help build the Mishkan [Tabernacle] under the direction of Bezalel and Oholiab. (35:4-38:20) A statistical summary of the materials used for the Tabernacle and an account of producing the priestly vestments are recorded. Moses blesses the Israelites for the work they did. (38:21-39:42) Upon God’s instruction, Moses sets up the Mishkan and the priests are anointed and consecrated. (40:1-33) A description is given of a cloud that covers the Mishkan by day and a fire that burns by night, indicating God’s Presence therein. (40:33-38)This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayak’heil – P’kudei (Exodus 35:1–40:38)

The Israelites finish building the Temple in the desert, the dwelling place for God amongst them. The cloud of Glory of Adonai fills the Temple and Moses cannot enter it! It is a moment of Crisis – the Israelites just finished a huge endeavor building God a Sanctuary so God can dwell amongst them. And at the end, God comes and they are not let in.

It will be resolved next week, as we begin Leviticus – stay tuned!

Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11−34:35)

/in

This Week’s Torah Portion: Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11−34:35)

The Israelites are being counted (a census) but we are not allowed to count human beings. Humans are created in the image of God, counting us is like counting how much Divine presence is in the world. So each person gives half a Shekel “The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less” and we count the money. This money pays for the ongoing expenses of the temple.

Two lessons:

  1. We are all created equal.
  2. You want to be counted as part of the Jewish community, you need to participate in the financial burden of maintaining it.

Ki Tisa Summary:

Moses takes a census of the Israelites and collects a half-shekel from each person (30:11-16) God tells Moses to construct a water basin and to prepare anointing oil and incense for the ordination of the priests. Bezalel and Oholiab, skilled artisans, are assigned to make objects for the priests and the Tabernacle. (30:17-31:11) The Israelites are instructed to keep Shabbat as a sign of their covenant with God. God gives Moses the two tablets of the Pact. (31:12-18) The Israelites ask Aaron to build them a Golden Calf. Moses implores God not to destroy the people and then breaks the two tablets of the Pact on which the Ten Commandments are written when he sees the idol. God punishes the Israelites by means of a plague. (32:1-35) Moses goes up the mountain with a blank set of tablets for another 40 days so that God will again inscribe the Ten Commandments. Other laws, including the edict to observe the Pilgrimage Festivals, are also revealed. (34:1-28) Moses comes down from the mountain with a radiant face. (34:29-35)

T’tzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10)

/in

This Week’s Torah Portion: T’tzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10)

This week’s Torah Portion T’tzaveh begins with the command that the Children of Israel bring pure olive oil to fuel the Eternal Light, the Ner Tamid. We are taught in the modern commentary Itturei Torah: “Every Jew must light the Ner Tamid in their own heart.” In other words. The Ner Tamid burns as a reminder that each of us carries within us our own eternal flame, waiting for us to reach out and make a difference in this world, limitless in its capacity for kindling light and sharing hope.

May your light shine brightly and may we together be the builders of a better world.

T’tzaveh Summary:

The children of Israel are commanded to bring pure olive oil for the ner tamid “a constantly burning light,” above the sanctuary. (27:20-21)
Aaron and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, are chosen to serve as priests. (28:1)
God instructs Moses to make special clothes for the priests. (28:2-43)
Aaron and his sons are ordained in a seven-day ceremony (29:1-29:46)
Aaron is commanded to burn incense on an acacia altar every morning and evening. (30:1-10)This Week’s Torah Portion: T’tzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10)

This week’s Torah Portion T’tzaveh begins with the command that the Children of Israel bring pure olive oil to fuel the Eternal Light, the Ner Tamid. We are taught in the modern commentary Itturei Torah: “Every Jew must light the Ner Tamid in their own heart.” In other words. The Ner Tamid burns as a reminder that each of us carries within us our own eternal flame, waiting for us to reach out and make a difference in this world, limitless in its capacity for kindling light and sharing hope.

May your light shine brightly and may we together be the builders of a better world.