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Tzav (Leviticus 6:1−8:36)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Tzav – צַו (Leviticus 6:1−8:36)

In this week’s Torah portion, Tzav, six times in six verses there is reference to the fire burning on the altar that must not go out. There is a hint here of something deeper, but reading the rest of this portion from the book of Leviticus gives us very little clue as to what that deeper meaning might be. For most of the rest of the Torah portion we seem bogged down in the details of priestly garments, and priestly sacrifices, how to build the fire and how to clean out the ashes which required special garments and ceremonies of its own.

But beneath all this ceremony – these rites and rituals of our ancient past – there echoes this message, six times repeated, on the importance of kindling light. Perhaps this light is a metaphor for our religious lives. On the surface of things, our lives are filled with the many responsibilities, the practical details of life that consumes our days – and yet there needs to be more to life than just that. 

About a century ago, a chasidic master, The Sefat Emet, wrote: “In the soul of every Jew there lies a hidden point that is aflame with love of God, a fire that cannot be put out.” In other words, each of us is like the altar in the Tabernacle of old.  Each of our souls is aflame with holy fire. And, each of our lives needs to make room for us to regularly feed that flame of God, through moments of holiness like celebrating holidays and sacred moments in our lives, through prayer and learning in God’s holy name. Each of us needs to care for that holy fire so that it might burn brightly within us and never go out.

May your flame burn brightly and may it bring warmth and healing to the world.

Parsha Tzav Torah Summary:

The five sacrifices that the priests are to perform are described. (6:1-7:38) Limitations on the consumption of meat are delineated. (7:17-27) Details about the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests and the preparation of the Tabernacle as a holy place are given. (8:1-36) Tzav

Happy Passover – Message from our Rabbis

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Dear Friend,

Happy Passover! May it be a meaningful Passover to us all!

Please take a moment to watch this short message from your Temple Rabbis

Our seders this year are:

  • Annual First Night Seder on Saturday, March 27 at 6:00 pm.
  • Congregation Second Night Seder on Sunday, March 28 at 6:00 pm.
  • Annual Rabbi Gaylia R. Rooks Women’s Seder on Thursday, April 1 at 6:00 pm.
  • Young Adult Seder on Saturday, April 3 at 6:00 pm.

We will also have Passover services on YouTube:

  • Passover Services: Sunday, March 28 at 10:30 am
  • Passover Yizkor Services: Saturday, April 3 at 10:30 am

Please join us for Passover as we strive to make this night special and meaningful!

Chag Sameach!
Rabbi David Ariel-Joel
Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport

Happy Passover!

Our seders this year are:

  • Annual First Night Seder on Saturday, March 27 at 6:00 pm.
  • Congregation Second Night Seder on Sunday, March 28 at 6:00 pm.
  • Annual Rabbi Gaylia R. Rooks Women’s Seder on Thursday, April 1 at 6:00 pm.
  • Young Adult Seder on Saturday, April 3 at 6:00 pm.

We will also have Passover services on YouTube:

  • Passover Services: Sunday, March 28 at 10:30 am
  • Passover Yizkor Services: Saturday, April 3 at 10:30 am

Please join us for Passover as we strive to make this night special and meaningful!

Chag Sameach!
Rabbi David Ariel-Joel
Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport

Dear Friend,

Happy Passover! May it be a meaningful Passover to us all!

Please take a moment to watch this short message from your Temple Rabbis

Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayikra – וַיִּקְרָא (Leviticus 1:1-5:26)

The letter א “Aleph” makes almost no sound. As it appears in the last letter in the first word this week’s Torah Portion, Vayikra, it is so small as to be almost invisible. A scribal tradition passed down for thousands of years, makes the Alef of Vayikra half its usual size.  Do not expect – the Torah is teaching – that God’s presence in history will always be as clear as it was in the days of the Exodus from Egypt which we will commemorate on Passover, just a few days from now. 

Seeing the Alef of Adonai in our own day, will depend on our own sensitivity. For those who look, it will be visible. For those who listen, it can be heard. But first you have to be one who looks and one who listens. If you choose not to see or hear, then God’s voice will fall silent. God’s call will be inaudible. History will seem mere chance. The history of the Jewish people testifies to the presence of God in our midst. The future of the Jewish people depends on our ability to hear God’s call.

Parsha Vayikra Torah 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)

The Temple is Getting Ready for Your Return

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The Temple is Getting Ready for Your Return. While our members continue to stay safe at home, The Temple staff has been busier than ever! In preparation for your return, we completed much-needed upgrades and improvements throughout our building and campus. Thank you for being a Temple member – we value your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you again in person soon!

Director, Producer, & Editor: Benji Berlow

The Temple is Getting Ready for Your Return. While our members continue to stay safe at home, The Temple staff has been busier than ever! In preparation for your return, we completed much-needed upgrades and improvements throughout our building and campus. Thank you for being a Temple member – we value your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you again in person soon! The Temple is Getting Ready for Your Return. While our members continue to stay safe at home, The Temple staff has been busier than ever! In preparation for your return, we completed much-needed upgrades and improvements throughout our building and campus. Thank you for being a Temple member – we value your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you again in person soon! The Temple is Getting Ready for Your Return. While our members continue to stay safe at home, The Temple staff has been busier than ever! In preparation for your return, we completed much-needed upgrades and improvements throughout our building and campus. Thank you for being a Temple member – we value your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you again in person soon!

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

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

There is a phrase we say this week as we complete our annual reading of the book of Exodus: chazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik, “be strong, be strong, and we shall be strengthened.” It is a tradition, but what does this tradition mean?

There is a Chasidic tale about a student who came to his rebbe and said: “For 30 years I have studied the Torah and still I feel no closer to God.”  His rebbe replied: “Perhaps God cannot see you while you study and pray only for yourself and by yourself.” The rebbe explained that the phrase kol adat B’nei Yisrael, “all the community of the Children of Israel” which appears multiple times in this week’s portions, reminds us that when we work with others we can come to appreciate our own wholeness, our own self worth . When we engage with others, we can come to appreciate our own strengths, and how the strengths of others can complement our own. Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik, “be strong, be strong, and we shall be strengthened.”

We are stronger together: for ourselves, for each other, and in the building of a better world.

Parsha Vayak’heil – P’kudei Torah 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)

Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11−34:35)

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

“I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion”

Adonai reveals to Moses one of the greats ideals of all times, the idea of Teshuvah (repentance), we give people a second chance.

We can start fresh and a new when ever we want and need too,

Adonai will always be there to forgive us!

Adonai is full of compassion and mercy! That should be a model for us, to allow people to have a second chance, to repent, try and be compassionate and show mercy, to those who have wronged us and repented.

Parsha Ki Tisa Torah 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) “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” Adonai reveals to Moses one of the greats ideals of all times, the idea of Teshuvah (repentance), we give people a second chance. We can start fresh and a new when ever we want and need too, Adonai will always be there to forgive us! Adonai is full of compassion and mercy! That should be a model for us, to allow people to have a second chance, to repent, try and be compassionate and show mercy, to those who have wronged us and repented.