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T’tzaveh (Exodus 27:20−30:10) – Shabbat Purim

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This Week’s Torah Portion: T’tzaveh – תְּצַוֶּה Exodus 27:20−30:10) – Shabbat Purim

Purim story seems simple, there is a king, stupid and drunk, a beautiful queen, Esther,  her wise uncle, Mordechai the Jew, and a wicked man who wants to kill all Jews (Haman). We win, and now let’s go drink (Alcohol) and eat Hamantaschen (literally Haman’s hat).

Purim has one great lesson in it! What we do matters. No miracles are mentioned in the story, God does not appear even once in the story. It is all up to how we behave, kind of what is happening in real life, actions matter.

Parsha T’tzaveh Torah 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 – תְּצַוֶּה (Exodus 27:20−30:10) Purim story seems simple, there is a king, stupid and drunk, a beautiful queen, Esther, her wise uncle, Mordechai the Jew, and a wicked man who wants to kill all Jews (Haman). We win, and now let’s go drink (Alcohol) and eat Hamantaschen (literally Haman’s hat). Purim has one great lesson in it! What we do matters. No miracles are mentioned in the story, God does not appear even once in the story. It is all up to how we behave, kind of what is happening in real life, actions matter.

T’rumah (Exodus 25:1−27:19)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: T’rumah – תְּרוּמָה (Exodus 25:1−27:19)

“…make a Temple for me, and I will dwell among them”

The great endeavor of having God dwell among us begins as we are building a Temple for God.

That has worked with the ebbs and flow for our people for thousands of years. The synagogues and the temples always being the centers of Jewish live and tradition and community.

Is that still the case?

What can we do to make it better?

Feel free to write me your thoughts, rabbidaj@gmail.com.

Parsha T’rumah Torah Summary:

God asks the Children of Israel to donate gifts (t’rumah) for the building of the Tabernacle so that God may “dwell among them.” (25:1-9) Instructions for the construction of the Ark, table, and menorah are provided. (25:10-40) Detailed directions are given on how to build the Tabernacle. (26:1-27:19) T’rumah (Exodus 13:17−17:16) “…make a Temple for me, and I will dwell among them” The great endeavor of having God dwell among us begins as we are building a Temple for God. That has worked with the ebbs and flow for our people for thousands of years. The synagogues and the temples always being the centers of Jewish live and tradition and community. Is that still the case? What can we do to make it better? Feel free to write me your thoughts, rabbidaj@gmail.com

Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1−24:18)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים Exodus 21:1−24:18)

The only place in the Torah where abortion is mentioned is here, in this week’s Torah portion.

Our Torah portion makes a clear point that an embryo is not considered life. Jewish law builds on this saying that only when the child emerges out it is considered a life.

Jewish law says that if there is a risk to the woman’s health, life (later rabbis add also socio – economic situation) then an abortion should be the woman’s option.

Will be speaking about this issue this Shabbat during Repro Shabbat service at The Temple.

Parsha Mishpatim Torah Summary:

Interpersonal laws ranging from the treatment of slaves to the exhibition of kindness to strangers are listed. (21:1-23:9) Cultic laws follow, including the commandment to observe the Sabbatical Year, a repetition of the Sabbath injunction, the first mention of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, rules of sacrificial offerings, and the prohibition against boiling a kid in its mother’s milk. (23:10-19) The people assent to the covenant. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel ascend the mountain and see God. Moses goes on alone and spends forty days on the mountain. (24:1-18) The only place in the Torah where abortion is mentioned is here, in this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim. Our Torah portion makes a clear point that an embryo is not considered life. Jewish law builds on this saying that only when the child emerges out it is considered a life. Jewish law says that if there is a risk to the woman’s health, life (later rabbis add also socio – economic situation) then an abortion should be the woman’s option. Will be speaking about this issue this shabbat during Repro Shabbat service at The Temple.

Yitro (Exodus 18:1–20:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Yitro – יִתְרוֹ Exodus 18:1–20:23)

It was time for Israel to receive the Torah. Moses gathered all the people around the foot of Mount Sinai, so that all would hear the 10 Commandments directly from God. 

God began to speak the first letter of the first word, of the first commandment, “I am Adonai your God.”  This first letter is the Hebrew letter alef, which is a silent letter.  And yet, the sound of God’s voice speaking even this silent letter, was so loud and so awesome that it terrified all the people who ran away and hid in their tents.  

Moses chased after them saying, “Wait, Wait! You have to hear God’s words yourselves.”  But they said, “No. God’s voice is too awesome.” Finally, it was agreed that the 70 Elders would stand as witness at the foot of the mountain. But, as the Elders were returning to the camp to tell the people of God’s words, the strangest thing happened.  

As they shared together each word they had heard, they realized that for each of the 10 Words which God had spoken, each of the Elders had heard a different word. And though none of their words were exactly the same, they were all different perspectives on God’s exact meaning. It was only they all spoke all the words they had heard, that they fully understood all that God had intended to say.

And this is the lesson we have learned. Each of us hears the words of Torah with our own unique perspective. And if we really hope to understand all of what God intends for us to be and do in this world, we must listen to each other so we might together build a world of justice, love, and peace.

Parsha Yitro Torah Summary:

Yitro brings his daughter Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to his son-in-law Moses. (18:1-12) Moses follows Yitro’s advice and appoints judges to help him lead the people. (18:13-27) The Children of Israel camp in front of Mount Sinai. Upon hearing the covenant, the Israelites respond, “All that God has spoken we will do.” (19:1-8) After three days of preparation, the Israelites encounter God at Mount Sinai. (19:9-25) God gives the Ten Commandments aloud directly to the people. (20:1-14) Frightened, the Children of Israel ask Moses to serve as an intermediary between God and them. Moses tells the people not to be afraid. (20:15-18)