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Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)

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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)

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

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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)

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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)

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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.

T’rumah (Exodus 25:1−27:19)

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

This week we read the story of the building of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary which we carried with us during our 40 years of wandering on our way to the Promised Land. Everyone brought their gifts (t’rumah) to help in the building of this place which would be God’s home. They brought gold, silver, and copper; colored yarns, fine linen, animal skins, acacia wood; olive oil, lapis lazuli and other precious stones. And God said: “Let them make for Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8)

What are your gifts? How can you use them to help make a place for God in this world?

T’rumah 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)This week we read the story of the building of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary which we carried with us during our 40 years of wandering on our way to the Promised Land. Everyone brought their gifts (t’rumah) to help in the building of this place which would be God’s home. They brought gold, silver, and copper; colored yarns, fine linen, animal skins, acacia wood; olive oil, lapis lazuli and other precious stones. And God said: “Let them make for Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8)

What are your gifts? How can you use them to help make a place for God in this world?

Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1−24:18)

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

“Until we are all free, we are none of us free.” (Emma Lazarus)

Sometimes the moment arrives… and we are not yet ready for that moment. This week’s Torah portion is just such a moment. The Children of Israel stand at the foot of Mount Sinai with the words of the Ten Commandments still echoing in our ears, completing our journey from slavery to freedom, and here the Torah turns to the laws of slavery. “When you acquire a Hebrew slave, they shall serve for six years and on the seventh year they shall go free.” (Exodus 21:2)

The moment arrives and we are not ready. We were slaves in Egypt and one might think this would be the time for us to abolish slavery, for we knew the heart of the oppressed. But we didn’t. Slavery was too engrained in our souls, too much a part of the world all around us, for us to even think of abolishing slavery altogether. Instead, we established laws for the better treatment of our slaves, and first among them was that after six years of servitude our slaves would go free. There was a promise of liberation, but that liberation was delayed.

It took us longer to learn and live God’s ultimate lesson of liberation:
“Until we are all free, we are none of us free.”

Mishpatim 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)

Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)

In this week’s Torah Portion Yitro, Moses writes and then reads aloud the words of the Torah and all the people respond “na’aseh v’nishma,” “We will do and we will hear” (24:7). The people of Israel accept the Torah as there own, but the rabbis notice that the order of their response to Moses seems backwards. Shouldn’t they have said: “We will listen to these words of Torah and then we will do them”?

I mean who says to God: “Yes I will do all that you ask,” and only then listens to what needs to be done? Apparently we do. And, in terms of the eternal covenant between God and the Children of Israel, this does make sense. If a friend or a parent or someone you love were to say: “Will you do something for me?” Might you not respond: “Sure, what is it?”

God is offering you the Torah, a path of justice and righteousness for you to walk. The question now becomes, what will you say, and what will you do?

Yitro 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)

B’shalach (Exodus 13:17−17:16)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’shalach (Exodus 13:17−17:16)

“Adonai said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on’”

Just before the greatest miracle in our History, the crossing of the Sea of Reeds, Adonai says to Moses, “Why are you crying? Do something.” What a great lesson. You want God’s help – work for it. Creating miracles in our lives is our responsibility.

B’shalach Summary:

The Children of Israel escape across the Sea of Reeds from Pharaoh and his army, who drown when God drives back the sea. (13:17-14:31)
Moses and the Israelites sing a song praising Adonai. (15:1-21)
In the wilderness, God provides the grumbling Israelites with quails and manna. God instructs the Israelites to gather and prepare on the sixth day food needed for Shabbat. (15:22-16:36)
The people complain about the lack of water. Moses hits a rock with his rod and brings forth water. (17:1-7)
Israel defeats Amalek, Israel’s eternal enemy. God vows to blot out the memory of Amalek from the world. (17:8-16)

“Adonai said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on”

Just before the greatest miracle in our History, the crossing of the sea of Reeds, Adonai says to Moses, why are you crying to me? Do something. What a great lesson. You want God’s help – work for it. Creating miracles in our lives is our responsibility.

Bo (Exodus 10:1−13:16)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Bo (Exodus 10:1−13:16)

God commands Moses “Come to Pharaoh” (Exodus 10:1). Most translators “fixed” the Hebrew by translating the command into “Go to Pharaoh” and ruined the original meaning.

When Adonai says “Come to Pharaoh”, there is a great lesson here. To fight evil, to succeed in fighting evil, you need to come to it, to understand it, to enter it, and then to overcome evil. You only bring light if you are willing to overcome darkness.

Bo Summary:

God sends the plagues of locusts and darkness upon Egypt and forewarns Moses about the final plague, the death of every Egyptian firstborn. Pharaoh still does not let the Israelites leave Egypt. (10:1-11:10)
God commands Moses and Aaron regarding the Passover festival. (12:1-27)
God enacts the final plague, striking down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt except those of the House of Israel. Pharaoh now allows the Israelites to leave. (12:29-42)
Speaking to Moses and Aaron, God repeats the commandments about Passover. (12:43-13:16)

This Week’s Torah Portion: Bo (Exodus 10:1−13:16)

God commands Moses “Come to Pharaoh” (Exodus 10:1). Most translators “fixed” the Hebrew by translating the command into “Go to Pharaoh” and ruined the original meaning.
When Adonai says “Come to Pharaoh”, there is a great lesson here,
To fight evil, to succeed in fighting evil, you need to come to it, to understand it, to enter it, and then to overcome evil. You only bring light if you are willing to overcome darkness.

Va-eira (Exodus 6:2−9:35)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Va-eira (Exodus 6:2−9:35)

“But by my name Adonai I did not make myself fully known to them” (Exodus 6:3). Adonai is revealing the real name of God, Adonai is telling Moses for the first time Adonai’s private name.
In basic training (boot camp) our commander was the closest persona to God I ever met. And we only called him “the commander”. On the last day of boot camp he revealed his real name. He became real, he became almost a friend. Adonai becomes closer to Moses and to us when called Adonai, the real name of God. It becomes a friendship.

Va-eira Summary:

Despite God’s message that they will be redeemed from slavery, the Israelites’ spirits remain crushed. God instructs Moses and Aaron to deliver the Israelites from the land of Egypt. (6:2-13)
The genealogy of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and their descendants is recorded. (6:14-25)
Moses and Aaron perform a miracle with a snake and relate to Pharaoh God’s message to let the Israelites leave Egypt. (7:8-13)
The first seven plagues occur. God hardens Pharaoh’s heart, and Pharaoh rescinds each offer to let the Israelites go. (7:14-9:35)

This Week’s Torah Portion: Va-eira (Exodus 6:2−9:35)

“But by my name Adonai I did not make myself fully known to them” (Exodus 6:3). Adonai is revealing the real name of God, Adonai is telling Moses for the first time Adonai’s private name.
In basic training (boots camp) our commander was the closest persona to God I ever met. And we only called him “the commander”. On the last day of boots camp he revealed his real name. He became real, he became almost a friend. Adonai becomes closer to Moses and to us when called Adonai, the real name of God. It becomes a friendship.

Va-eira Summary:

Despite God’s message that they will be redeemed from slavery, the Israelites’ spirits remain crushed. God instructs Moses and Aaron to deliver the Israelites from the land of Egypt. (6:2-13)
The genealogy of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and their descendants is recorded. (6:14-25)
Moses and Aaron perform a miracle with a snake and relate to Pharaoh God’s message to let the Israelites leave Egypt. (7:8-13)
The first seven plagues occur. God hardens Pharaoh’s heart, and Pharaoh rescinds each offer to let the Israelites go. (7:14-9:35)