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Tag Archive for: Torah Tidbit

Naso I – I נָשֹׂא (Numbers 4:21-5:31)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Naso – נָשֹׂא (Numbers 4:21-5:31)

The blessing we are told to bless each other and our children is:

“GOD bless you and protect you!
GOD’s face will shine upon you and deal graciously with you!
GOD’s face will lift towards you and grant you Shalom!” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Amen to that!

Parsha Naso – נָשֹׂא Torah Summary:

A census of the Gershonites, Merarites, and Koathites between the ages of thirty and fifty is conducted and their duties in the Tabernacle are detailed. (4:21-49) God speaks to Moses concerning what to do with ritually unclean people, repentant individuals, and those who are suspected of adultery. (5:1-31) The obligations of a nazirite vow are explained. They include abstaining from alcohol and not cutting one’s hair. (6:1-21) God tells Moses how to teach Aaron and his sons the Priestly Blessing. (6:22-27) Moses consecrates the Sanctuary, and the tribal chieftains bring offerings. Moses then speaks with God inside the Tent of Meeting. (7:1-89) Naso – נָשֹׂא The blessing we are told to bless each other and our children is: “GOD bless you and protect you! GOD’s face will shine upon you and deal graciously with you! GOD’s face will lift towards you and grant you Shalom!” (Numbers 6:24-26) Amen to that!

B’midbar – בְּמִדבַּר (Numbers 1:1−4:20)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’midbar – בְּמִדבַּר (Numbers 1:1−4:20)

“And I will espouse you forever:
I will espouse you with righteousness and justice,
And with lovingkindness, caring and mercy” (Hosea 2:21 – Haftarah)

The relationship between God and us is like marriage based first and foremost on Lovingkindness, caring, compassion and mercy.

Parsha B’midbar – בְּמִדבַּר Torah Summary:

God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite males over the age of twenty. (1:1-46) The duties of the Levites, who are not included in the census, are detailed. (1:47-51) Each tribe is assigned specific places in the camp around the Tabernacle. (1:52-2:34) The sons of Levi are counted and their responsibilities are set forth. (3:1-3:39) A census of the firstborn males is taken and a special redemption tax is levied on them. (3:40-51) God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the responsibilities of Aaron and his sons, and the duties assigned to the Kohathites. (4:1-20) B’midbar – בְּמִדבַּר “And I will espouse you forever: I will espouse you with righteousness and justice, And with lovingkindness, caring and mercy” (Hosea 2:21 – Haftarah) The relationship between God and us is like marriage based first and foremost on Lovingkindness, caring, compassion and mercy.

B’har – B’chukotai – בְּהַר – בְּחֻקֹּתי (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’har – B’chukotai – בְּהַר – בְּחֻקֹּתי (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)

“O great and mighty God whose name is GOD of Hosts” (Jeremiah 32:18 – this week’s Haftarah).

This is very weird. Jeremiah misquotes the Torah, and instead of saying “The great mighty and awesome God” Jeremiah omits Awesome. Why? Because God hates lies, and in a time of exile and destruction, when the world is a mess, you do not describe God as all powerful.

Parsha B’har – B’chukotai – בְּהַר – בְּחֻקֹּתי Torah Summary:

God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that in every seventh year, the land shall observe a Sabbath of complete rest: Fields should not be sown and vines should not be pruned. (25:1-7) After forty-nine years, a jubilee year is to be celebrated when all the land that had been sold during that time should be returned to its original owners and slaves are to be freed. (25:8-55) God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites not to make idols, to keep the sabbath, and to venerate the sanctuary of the Eternal. (26:1-2) God promises blessings to the Children of Israel if they follow the law and warns about the curses that will befall the people if they do not observe God’s commandments. (26:1-46) Gifts made to the Sanctuary whether by conditional vows or by unconditional acts of pious gratitude are discussed. (27:1-34) B’har – B’chukotai – בְּהַר – בְּחֻקֹּתי “O great and mighty God whose name is GOD of Hosts” (Jeremiah 32:18 – this week’s Haftarah). This is very weird. Jeremiah misquotes the Torah, and instead of saying “The great mighty and awesome God” Jeremiah omits Awesome. Why? Because God hates lies, and in a time of exile and destruction, when the world is a mess, you do not describe God as all powerful.

Emor – אֱמֹר (Leviticus 21:1−24:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Emor – אֱמֹר (Leviticus 21:1−24:23)

“Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The injury inflicted on a human being shall be inflicted in return” Leviticus 24:20

This looks so primitive; however, it has a profound message. Human beings are created in God’s image. Hurting them is like hurting the image of God. And thus, a severe punishment that fits the crime. The rabbis will change it and forbid physical punishment.

Parsha Emor – אֱמֹר Torah Summary:

Laws regulating the lives and sacrifices of the priests are presented. (21:1-22:33) The set times of the Jewish calendar are named and described: the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the Pilgrimage Festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. (23:1-44) God commands the Israelites to bring clear olive oil for lighting the sanctuary menorah. The ingredients and placement of the displayed loaves of sanctuary bread are explained. (24:1-9) Laws dealing with profanity, murder, and the maiming of others are outlined. (24:10-23) Emor – אֱמֹר “Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The injury inflicted on a human being shall be inflicted in return” Leviticus 24:20 This looks so primitive; however, it has a profound message. Human beings are created in God’s image. Hurting them is like hurting the image of God. And thus, a severe punishment that fits the crime. The rabbis will change it and forbid physical punishment.

Acharei Mot – K’doshim – אַחֲרֵי מוֹת – קְדֹשִׁים (Leviticus 16:1-20:27)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Acharei Mot – K’doshim – אַחֲרֵי מוֹת – קְדֹשִׁים (Leviticus 16:1-20:27)

לֹֽא־תִקֹּ֤ם וְלֹֽא־תִטֹּר֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֔ךָ וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָֽה׃

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against members of your people, loving your neighbor as yourself: I am Adonai. (Leviticus 19:18).

When Rabbi Hillel was asked to teach the entire Torah while the challenger stood on one foot. After pausing for a moment, Rabbi Hillel gave his own interpretation of this verse, stating that the point of the entire Torah is to treat others the way we would want to be treated; the rest is commentary.

Parsha Acharei Mot – K’doshim – אַחֲרֵי מוֹת – קְדֹשִׁים Torah Summary:

The duties that the head kohein must perform on Yom Kippur are delineated and the ceremony of the scapegoat is outlined. (16:1-28) Moses instructs Aaron about the Yom Kippur laws for fasting and atonement. (16:29-34) Warnings are issued against the offering of sacrifices outside the Sanctuary and the consumption of blood. (17:1-16) Moses condemns the sexual practices of some neighboring peoples. Certain forms of sexual relations are prohibited. (18:1-30) God issues a variety of commandments, instructing the Israelites on how to be a holy people. (19:1-37) Various sex offenses are discussed and punishments for them are presented. (20:1-27) לֹֽא־תִקֹּ֤ם וְלֹֽא־תִטֹּר֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֔ךָ וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָֽה׃ You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against members of your people, loving your neighbor as yourself: I am Adonai. (Leviticus 19:18). When Rabbi Hillel was asked to teach the entire Torah while the challenger stood on one foot. After pausing for a moment, Rabbi Hillel gave his own interpretation of this verse, stating that the point of the entire Torah is to treat others the way we would want to be treated; the rest is commentary. Acharei Mot – K’doshim – אַחֲרֵי מוֹת – קְדֹשִׁים

Tazria – M’tzora – תַזְרִיעַ – מְצֹרָע (Leviticus 12:1-15:33)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Tazria – M’tzora – תַזְרִיעַ – מְצֹרָע (Leviticus 12:1-15:33)

כׇּל־יְמֵ֞י אֲשֶׁ֨ר הַנֶּ֥גַע בּ֛וֹ יִטְמָ֖א טָמֵ֣א ה֑וּא בָּדָ֣ד יֵשֵׁ֔ב מִח֥וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה מוֹשָׁבֽוֹ׃

All the days on which the disease is present, they shall surely be impure. Being impure, they shall dwell apart; in a dwelling outside the camp. (Leviticus 13:46).

Tazria-Metzora is the dreaded Torah Portion for any B’nei Mitzvah student, given the graphic descriptions of diseases our ancestors faced in the ancient world. Despite how disgusting it may be, we learn from this Torah that each one of us is responsible for the health of not just ourselves, but our entire community. This Shabbat it is my prayer that we can slow down and really take care of ourselves.

Parsha Tazria – M’tzora – תַזְרִיעַ – מְצֹרָע Torah Summary:

God describes the rituals of purification for a woman after childbirth. (12:1-8) God sets forth the methods for diagnosing and treating a variety of skin diseases, including tzara-at (a leprous affection), as well as those for purifying clothing. (13:1-59) Priestly rituals to cure tzara-at when it afflicts humans are described. (14:1-32) Rituals to rid dwelling places of tzara-at are presented. (14:33-57) The parashah denotes male impurities resulting from a penile discharge or seminal emission. (15:1-18) The parashah concludes with accounts of female impurities caused by a discharge of blood. (15:19-33) Tazria – M’tzora – תַזְרִיעַ – מְצֹרָע כׇּל־יְמֵ֞י אֲשֶׁ֨ר הַנֶּ֥גַע בּ֛וֹ יִטְמָ֖א טָמֵ֣א ה֑וּא בָּדָ֣ד יֵשֵׁ֔ב מִח֥וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה מוֹשָׁבֽוֹ׃ All the days on which the disease is present, they shall surely be impure. Being impure, they shall dwell apart; in a dwelling outside the camp. (Leviticus 13:46). Tazria-Metzora is the dreaded Torah Portion for any B’nei Mitzvah student, given the graphic descriptions of diseases our ancestors faced in the ancient world. Despite how disgusting it may be, we learn from this Torah that each one of us is responsible for the health of not just ourselves, but our entire community. This Shabbat it is my prayer that we can slow down and really take care of ourselves.

Sh’mini – שְׁמִינִי (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Sh’mini – שְׁמִינִי (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)

וַיָּבֹ֨א מֹשֶׁ֤ה וְאַהֲרֹן֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וַיֵּ֣צְא֔וּ וַֽיְבָרְכ֖וּ אֶת־הָעָ֑ם וַיֵּרָ֥א כְבוֹד־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־כׇּל־הָעָֽם׃

Then Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting. When they exited, they blessed the people, then the Presence of Adonai appeared to the entire People. (Leviticus 9:23).

This beautiful piece of Torah is a powerful reminder that we are all deserving of blessings and that each one of us has access to the Divine. This Shabbat, my prayer is that we take the time to acknowledge just how special and deserving of blessing each of us is, just for being who we are.

Parsha Sh’mini – שְׁמִינִי Torah Summary:

Aaron and his sons follow Moses’ instructions and offer sacrifices so that God will forgive the people. (9:1-24) Two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, offer “alien fire” to God. God punishes these two priests by killing them immediately. (10:1-3) God forbids Moses, Aaron, and his surviving sons from mourning but commands the rest of the people to do so. Priests are told not to drink alcohol before entering the sacred Tabernacle and are further instructed about making sacrifices. (10:4-20) Laws are given to distinguish between pure and impure animals, birds, fish, and insects. (11:1-47) Sh’mini – שְׁמִינִי וַיָּבֹ֨א מֹשֶׁ֤ה וְאַהֲרֹן֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וַיֵּ֣צְא֔וּ וַֽיְבָרְכ֖וּ אֶת־הָעָ֑ם וַיֵּרָ֥א כְבוֹד־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־כׇּל־הָעָֽם׃ Then Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting. When they exited, they blessed the people, then the Presence of Adonai appeared to the entire People. (Leviticus 9:23). This beautiful piece of Torah is a powerful reminder that we are all deserving of blessings and that each one of us has access to the Divine. This Shabbat, my prayer is that we take the time to acknowledge just how special and deserving of blessing each of us is, just for being who we are. Sh’mini – שְׁמִינִי

Chol HaMo-eid Pesach – חוֹל הַמֹּעֵד פֶּסַח (Exodus 33:12-34:26)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Chol HaMo-eid Pesach – חוֹל הַמֹּעֵד פֶּסַח (Exodus 33:12-34:26)

יְהֹוָ֣ה ׀ יְהֹוָ֔ה אֵ֥ל רַח֖וּם וְחַנּ֑וּן אֶ֥רֶךְ אַפַּ֖יִם וְרַב־חֶ֥סֶד וֶאֱמֶֽת׃

Adonai, Adonai, compassionate and kind God, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness & faithfulness… (Exodus 34:6).

During Passover, the Torah reminds us that God yearns to be in relationship with us through lovingkindness, faithfulness, and compassion. This also teaches us that if God chooses to do this with us, all the more so we should be willing to treat those in our communities and the stranger in our midst with lovingkindness, faithfulness, compassion, and acceptance.

Chol HaMo-eid Pesach – חוֹל הַמֹּעֵד פֶּסַח Summary: On the Shabbat during Passover, we are reminded of the age-old desire to know God. Moses implores God to let him see God. While God will not allow Moses to see God’s face, God tells Moses, “I will make My goodness pass before you…” Perhaps we experience the divine presence throgh the goodness we create in the world. The Torah then sets forth the thirteen attributes of God, among them that God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. By emulating these very attributes, we create the goodness which allows us to know God. יְהֹוָ֣ה ׀ יְהֹוָ֔ה אֵ֥ל רַח֖וּם וְחַנּ֑וּן אֶ֥רֶךְ אַפַּ֖יִם וְרַב־חֶ֥סֶד וֶאֱמֶֽת׃ Adonai, Adonai, compassionate and kind God, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness & faithfulness… (Exodus 34:6). During Passover, the Torah reminds us that God yearns to be in relationship with us through lovingkindness, faithfulness, and compassion. This also teaches us that if God chooses to do this with us, all the more so we should be willing to treat those in our communities and the stranger in our midst with lovingkindness, faithfulness, compassion, and acceptance.

Tzav – צַו (Leviticus 6:1−8:36)

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

“For I GOD act with loving kindness,
justice, and equity in the world;
For in these I delight
—declares GOD”.

God wants us to be like God – treating every person with Hesed (loving kindness, caring and compassion). That is the only thing that matters.

Parsha Tzav – צַו 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 – צַו “For I GOD act with loving kindness, justice, and equity in the world; For in these I delight —declares GOD”. God wants us to be like God – treating every person with Hesed (loving kindness, caring and compassion). That is the only thing that matters.

Vayikra – וַיִּקְרָא (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)

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

“When a leader (president) sins” Leviticus 4:22

The Torah lists the sacrifices that regular people bring to the Sanctuary, if they sin. When it comes to a leader (The Torah specifies a president) the terms are not “if” but, “when”. Teaching us that power corrupts, and leaders sin. Teaching us that a good and worthy leader acknowledges that they made a mistake, and after publicly admitting it, brings a sacrifice.

Parsha Vayikra – וַיִּקְרָא 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) Vayikra – וַיִּקְרָא “When a leader (president) sins” Leviticus 4:22 The Torah lists the sacrifices that regular people bring to the Sanctuary, if they sin. When it comes to a leader (The Torah specifies a president) the terms are not “if” but, “when”. Teaching us that power corrupts, and leaders sin. Teaching us that a good and worthy leader acknowledges that they made a mistake, and after publicly admitting it, brings a sacrifice.