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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

Chol Ha-moeid Pesach (Exodus 33:12-34:26)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Chol Ha-moeid Pesach (Exodus 33:12-34:26)

This week’s Passover Torah portion carries within it one of the most luminous and awe inspiring moments in all of the Torah. Moses, cradled gently in the hand of God, emerges from the cleft of the rock to glimpse a sight of the Divine Presence just as the glory of God passes by.

But, what exactly did Moses see? What can we learn from this vision of God’s back which Moses glimpses as God passes by? My favorite response to this question is found in the Talmud where Rabbi Shimon Hasida explains that what Moses saw was the knot of the leather strapped tefillin which encircled God’s head. (Berachot 7a)

Wait a minute! God wears tefillin, the traditional prayer garb of a Jew in prayer? Does this mean that God prays? To whom, and for what? The answer, I believe, can only be that God prays for us.

May we be sheltered in God’s protective hands, may we be in God’s prayers, now and always.

Chol Ha-moeid Pesach 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 through 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.

This week’s Passover Torah portion carries within it one of the most luminous and awe inspiring moments in all of the Torah. Moses, cradled gently in the hand of God, emerges from the cleft of the rock to glimpse a sight of the Divine Presence just as the glory of God passes by. But, what exactly did Moses see? What can we learn from this vision of God’s back which Moses glimpses as God passes by? My favorite response to this question is found in the Talmud where Rabbi Shimon Hasida explains that what Moses saw was the knot of the leather strapped tefillin which encircled God’s head. (Berachot 7a) Wait a minute! God wears tefillin, the traditional prayer garb of a Jew in prayer? Does this mean that God prays? To whom, and for what? The answer, I believe, can only be that God prays for us. May we be sheltered in God’s protective hands, may we be in God’s prayers, now and always.

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