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TORAH TIDBIT

Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David.
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot Mishpatim

Naso I – I נָשֹׂא (Numbers 4:21-5:31)

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

We made it. Last night we began Shavuot and celebrated receiving Torah at Mt. Sinai. Imagine what it must have been like. The rabbis teach that the whole world received Torah as a song, a melody that rang through the bodies and beings of every living thing on this earth. Some heard thunder and saw lightning and became afraid. Some heard nothing– the sound was too much to bear, so they felt the loving embrace of the omnipresent Divine.

Last night we concluded our counting. I offer a prayer of conclusion as we move toward summer and hopefully a slower, more leisurely counting.

I have numbered my days and have come to understand that each day has become an invitation:

  • Today: an invitation to become present
  • The day before: an invitation to be reflective
  • The day after: an invitation to become repentant
  • Not today: an invitation to be discerning
  • Tomorrow: an invitation to anticipate
  • Yesterday: an invitation to remember
  • Never again: an invitation to commit
  • Someday: an invitation to dream
  • Most days: an invitation to cultivate discipline
  • Until the day of all days, the last day: an invitation into eternity

-Rabbi Karyn Kedar

Parsha Naso I – I 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) Naso I – I נָשֹׂא
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot Mishpatim

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)

Today is the 43rd (out of 50) day of the Omer, and we enter week 7 of counting. This week is all about prayer. What is prayer? Prayer is everything and nothing, stillness and movement, silence and screaming. Prayer is our heart, soul, and kishkas (gut). The essential element is patience. Attune yourself inward to your world within and beyond, and you will discover all the abundance you require.

This week, I offer this prayer and practice by Franz Kafka:

Learn to be quiet.
You need not do anything.

Remain sitting at your table and listen.

You need not even listen; just wait.

You need not even wait; just learn to be quiet, still, and solitary.

And the world will freely offer itself to you unmasked.

It has no choice,
It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.

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 Today is the 43rd (out of 50) day of the Omer, and we enter week 7 of counting. This week is all about prayer. What is prayer? Prayer is everything and nothing, stillness and movement, silence and screaming. Prayer is our heart, soul, and kishkas (gut). The essential element is patience. Attune yourself inward to your world within and beyond, and you will discover all the abundance you require. This week, I offer this prayer and practice by Franz Kafka: Learn to be quiet. You need not do anything. Remain sitting at your table and listen. You need not even listen; just wait. You need not even wait; just learn to be quiet, still, and solitary. And the world will freely offer itself to you unmasked. It has no choice, It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot Mishpatim

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)

Today we enter week six of the Omer. We are nearing the end of our march to Sinai. Week six is all about courage. Wandering through the desert, we had no sense of direction. Each step required enormous faith because we stepped into something unknown and unfamiliar with every footfall. Annie Dillard explains, “There is no less holiness at this time… in any instant [you may be wiped out]…the bush may flare, your feet may rise…In any instant, you may avail yourself of the power to love your enemies; to accept failure, slander, or the grief of loss; or to endure torture….each and every day the Divine Voice issues from Sinai, says the Talmud.”

Everything Dillard offers up requires faith, courage, and trust. As we move closer to receiving Torah, now is the time to delve deep into our souls and reach for our courage. Our courage to move forward in the darkness toward more darkness. Courage offers Rabbi Karen Kedar, “requires that you simply do what you can. No more, but also no less.”

What are you able to do this week to harness your courage?

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
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot Mishpatim

Emor – אֱמֹר (Levicitus 21:1−24:23)

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

Shabbat Shalom! Today is the 29th day of the Omer. We are moving closer and closer to receiving Torah at Sinai. One way of marking this particular time is through the study and practice of various combinations of the attributes of the Sefirot. Chesed and Hod represent this day of counting. Hod is our theme for the next seven days of counting, and it is all about radiant and infinite manifestations of the Divine. Chessed is deep loving-kindness. Today revel in radiant love and pay close attention to how beauty, God, and loving-kindness reveal themselves to you. You might be surprised!

Parsha Torah Summary:

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