Hi,
This week we read two portions: Tazria, and an additional segment called HaChodesh.
Tazria
The end of the previous Torah portion, Sh'mini, dealt with laws of ritual purity, and that theme continues into this Torah portion, Tazria.
The Torah portion describes a rite of purification and a set of offerings brought by a woman after giving birth. According to one explanation of the Torah portion, one must go through a rite of purification after any experience involving creation or destruction of life. Thus one who comes into contact with the dead requires such a rite, and a woman who loses an egg goes through such a rite - and so does a woman who had been carrying an extra life as part of her, and now no longer is.
The Torah portion then describes Tzaraat, which is usually mis-translated as ‘leprosy.’ Tzaraat is not the same as the modern skin ailment called ‘leprosy.’ Tzaraat is a spiritual malady which manifests itself physically as marks on one’s skin. The marks are shown to a Kohen, who determines whether they are leprous or not. (For proof that this is not the same as any physical ailment, realize that this phenomenon may appear on clothing or homes!)
This disease is usually understood as punishment for slander against others – if a person publicly maligns others, that person finds himself publicly maligned, by his own skin. The marks may also appear on one’s skin, or even one’s home.
HaChodesh
Each year we add a special reading on the week before the start of the month of Nisan. This reading, called "HaChodesh," includes Gd’s declaration to Moshe in Egypt that the Jewish annual calendar should start with the 1st of Nisan, and Gd’s initial instructions to the Jews regarding preparations for the first Pesach.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Shemini and Parah
Hello,
This week we read the regular portion of Shemini and an additional portion called Parah.
Sh'mini
This portion begins with the 8th day of the 8-day dedication of the Mishkan, the Jews’ Tabernacle with which they travelled through the desert. They brought special offerings for this day.
Aharon was the Kohen Gadol (Head Kohen), and he led the service in the Mishkan, for the first time.
Two of his sons, Nadav and Avihu, attempted to bring an unscheduled offering of incense on their first day on the job, while they were somewhat intoxicated from the celebrations of the Mishkan. A fire emerged from inside the Temple and consumed them.
Aharon was instructed to complete the service regardless of the death of his sons. He and Moshe disagreed about proper disposal of offerings in Aharon’s state of mourning; Aharon proved to be correct.
Moshe and Aharon were then given a joint instruction to convey to the nation – they were taught the laws of keeping Kosher:
1. Animals must have split hooves and must chew their cuds.
2. Fish must have fins and scales.
3. Almost all flying, swimming and crawling bugs are prohibited. Some grasshoppers are permitted, though.
4. Only certain birds are Kosher.
The Jews were taught these laws of keeping Kosher as part of using their animal aspects (eating) to attain holiness.
They were also taught about Tumah, a form of ritual impurity which could be communicated by various creatures.
Parah
Parah is the opening part of the portion of Chukat, found in the book of Bamidbar (Numbers).
In preparation for Passover, the Jews of Temple times were instructed to make themselves Tahor (ritually prepared) in order to be able to bring the Passover Offering. The rite of purification centered on the ashes of a slaughtered Parah Adumah (Red Heifer).
In order to remind people to begin this process before Passover, we read about the Red Heifer on the Shabbat preceding the Shabbat preceding the month of Nisan. Some consider this a biblical obligation, as part of preparing for Passover.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
This week we read the regular portion of Shemini and an additional portion called Parah.
Sh'mini
This portion begins with the 8th day of the 8-day dedication of the Mishkan, the Jews’ Tabernacle with which they travelled through the desert. They brought special offerings for this day.
Aharon was the Kohen Gadol (Head Kohen), and he led the service in the Mishkan, for the first time.
Two of his sons, Nadav and Avihu, attempted to bring an unscheduled offering of incense on their first day on the job, while they were somewhat intoxicated from the celebrations of the Mishkan. A fire emerged from inside the Temple and consumed them.
Aharon was instructed to complete the service regardless of the death of his sons. He and Moshe disagreed about proper disposal of offerings in Aharon’s state of mourning; Aharon proved to be correct.
Moshe and Aharon were then given a joint instruction to convey to the nation – they were taught the laws of keeping Kosher:
1. Animals must have split hooves and must chew their cuds.
2. Fish must have fins and scales.
3. Almost all flying, swimming and crawling bugs are prohibited. Some grasshoppers are permitted, though.
4. Only certain birds are Kosher.
The Jews were taught these laws of keeping Kosher as part of using their animal aspects (eating) to attain holiness.
They were also taught about Tumah, a form of ritual impurity which could be communicated by various creatures.
Parah
Parah is the opening part of the portion of Chukat, found in the book of Bamidbar (Numbers).
In preparation for Passover, the Jews of Temple times were instructed to make themselves Tahor (ritually prepared) in order to be able to bring the Passover Offering. The rite of purification centered on the ashes of a slaughtered Parah Adumah (Red Heifer).
In order to remind people to begin this process before Passover, we read about the Red Heifer on the Shabbat preceding the Shabbat preceding the month of Nisan. Some consider this a biblical obligation, as part of preparing for Passover.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tzav
Hi,
This week's portion is Tzav (pron. tsahv).
Tzav begins where last week's portion halted, describing the services for three types of offerings to be brought in the Tabernacle:
1. Olah ("burnt offering") - Such offerings, which included personal voluntary offerings as well as communal daily offerings, were burnt entirely on the altar.
2. Chatat ("sin offering") and Asham ("guilt offering") - Parts of these offerings would go on the altar, and parts would be eaten by the Kohanim.
3. Shelamim ("whole offering" or "peace offering") - Parts were put on the altar, parts were eaten by the Kohanim, and parts were eaten by the owners of the offering.
Various types of offerings could be brought using grain flour, instead of animals; such an offering was called a Minchah. Flour was processed, and then the Kohen separated a fistful of flour using a method called Kemitzah. He then put that flour on the altar, and the rest was eaten.
The portion then describes the seven-day procedure for dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Kohanim were dressed in their uniforms of service, and then the Mishkan was annointed with a special, spiced olive oil. The Kohanim were then annointed with that same type of oil, and their special offerings were brought.
Have a great day and a happy Purim,
Mordechai
This week's portion is Tzav (pron. tsahv).
Tzav begins where last week's portion halted, describing the services for three types of offerings to be brought in the Tabernacle:
1. Olah ("burnt offering") - Such offerings, which included personal voluntary offerings as well as communal daily offerings, were burnt entirely on the altar.
2. Chatat ("sin offering") and Asham ("guilt offering") - Parts of these offerings would go on the altar, and parts would be eaten by the Kohanim.
3. Shelamim ("whole offering" or "peace offering") - Parts were put on the altar, parts were eaten by the Kohanim, and parts were eaten by the owners of the offering.
Various types of offerings could be brought using grain flour, instead of animals; such an offering was called a Minchah. Flour was processed, and then the Kohen separated a fistful of flour using a method called Kemitzah. He then put that flour on the altar, and the rest was eaten.
The portion then describes the seven-day procedure for dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Kohanim were dressed in their uniforms of service, and then the Mishkan was annointed with a special, spiced olive oil. The Kohanim were then annointed with that same type of oil, and their special offerings were brought.
Have a great day and a happy Purim,
Mordechai
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Vayyikra - Zachor
Hello,
This week we read Vayyikra as our main portion, and we also read the additional portion of Zachor, which is read annually on the Shabbat preceding Purim.
Outline of Vayyikra
This portion, which starts the book of Vayyikra (Leviticus), begins right after the Jews completed construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), in which to worship Gd. Now that the Jews had built the building, they needed to learn about the service which would take place inside.
Vayyikra is essentially a list of various types of offerings; next week's portion (Tzav) will detail the specifics of each offering's service.
The portion begins with an Olat Nedavah, an offering which a person brings as a voluntary donation, in order to publicly affirm his relationship with Gd. Such offerings were entirely burnt on the altar. They could be brought from cattle, sheep, birds or flour.
The portion continues to discuss the Shelamim, a celebration offering. These offerings were brought to mark great occasions, and people ate parts of these offerings.
Finally, the portion presents a list of sin-offerings to be brought in the event of different types of violations of Torah law. Some offerings were linked to the person’s status; for example, the Kohen Gadol (Head Kohen) had a special offering in the event that he sinned. Other offerings were linked to the type of sin; for example, a person who withheld testimony for a trial had his own special offering. In addition, there was a special type of offering, Asham Talui, for a person who wasn't sure if he had sinned.
Outline of Zachor
Every year, Jews worldwide read the portion of "Zachor" on the Shabbat preceding Purim. This section records the story of the war the nation of Amalek launched against the Jews right after the Jews came through the Red Sea. We are biblically instructed to read this and remember it always.
We read this on the Shabbat before Purim because Haman, the villain of Purim, descended from Agag, who was a king of Amalek.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
This week we read Vayyikra as our main portion, and we also read the additional portion of Zachor, which is read annually on the Shabbat preceding Purim.
Outline of Vayyikra
This portion, which starts the book of Vayyikra (Leviticus), begins right after the Jews completed construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), in which to worship Gd. Now that the Jews had built the building, they needed to learn about the service which would take place inside.
Vayyikra is essentially a list of various types of offerings; next week's portion (Tzav) will detail the specifics of each offering's service.
The portion begins with an Olat Nedavah, an offering which a person brings as a voluntary donation, in order to publicly affirm his relationship with Gd. Such offerings were entirely burnt on the altar. They could be brought from cattle, sheep, birds or flour.
The portion continues to discuss the Shelamim, a celebration offering. These offerings were brought to mark great occasions, and people ate parts of these offerings.
Finally, the portion presents a list of sin-offerings to be brought in the event of different types of violations of Torah law. Some offerings were linked to the person’s status; for example, the Kohen Gadol (Head Kohen) had a special offering in the event that he sinned. Other offerings were linked to the type of sin; for example, a person who withheld testimony for a trial had his own special offering. In addition, there was a special type of offering, Asham Talui, for a person who wasn't sure if he had sinned.
Outline of Zachor
Every year, Jews worldwide read the portion of "Zachor" on the Shabbat preceding Purim. This section records the story of the war the nation of Amalek launched against the Jews right after the Jews came through the Red Sea. We are biblically instructed to read this and remember it always.
We read this on the Shabbat before Purim because Haman, the villain of Purim, descended from Agag, who was a king of Amalek.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Pekudei - Shekalim - Rosh Chodesh
Hi,
This week we read from three Torah scrolls:
1. The weekly portion, Pekudei.
2. The special portion for Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the month on the Hebrew calendar.
3. The special portion of "Shekalim" for the Shabbat preceding the month of Adar. This year Adar actually begins on Shabbat, and so we read Shekalim on the Shabbat that is first day of Adar.
The three portions are read in that order, because of the frequency with which they occur - the Torah portion occurs every week, Rosh Chodesh occurs 12 times per year, and Shekalim is once a year.
Pekudei
Pekudei begins with a list of the amounts of metal used in making the Mishkan’s (Tabernacle's) different parts. It continues to decribe the clothes made for the Kohanim.
We then learn about the assembly of the Mishkan. On the first day of the month of Nisan, after the Jews had been in the desert for almost one full year, Moshe collected all of the components and assembled the Mishkan.
A cloud then descended, signifying Divine approval of the construction. The cloud served to lead the Jews, remaining on the tent until it was time for the Jews to disassemble the Mishkan and travel to their next stop.
Rosh Chodesh
The Rosh Chodesh reading describes the offerings brought in the Mishkan, and later the Beit haMikdash [Temple], on Shabbat and on Rosh Chodesh. This portion comes from the Parshah called Pinchas.
Shekalim
This portion comes from the beginning of the portion of Ki Tisa, and it describes a mandatory one-time donation of a half-Shekel per soldier to the Mishkan.
After the first year, this donation became an annual Mitzvah. Every Jew (and not just every soldier) gave to the Mishkan, and later to the Beit haMikdash in Jerusalem. The donations were used to purchase offerings and incense, and the leftover money was used for improvement of the building itself and for specific communal needs.
We read this portion at the start of the month of Adar because Adar was the traditional month for the half-Shekel donations; the community would begin to make use of the collected Shekalim in the following month, Nisan. Thus the reading serves as a reminder to send in the donations.
Jews today continue to make this donation, but in the temporary absence of a Beit haMikdash we give it to tzedakah.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
This week we read from three Torah scrolls:
1. The weekly portion, Pekudei.
2. The special portion for Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the month on the Hebrew calendar.
3. The special portion of "Shekalim" for the Shabbat preceding the month of Adar. This year Adar actually begins on Shabbat, and so we read Shekalim on the Shabbat that is first day of Adar.
The three portions are read in that order, because of the frequency with which they occur - the Torah portion occurs every week, Rosh Chodesh occurs 12 times per year, and Shekalim is once a year.
Pekudei
Pekudei begins with a list of the amounts of metal used in making the Mishkan’s (Tabernacle's) different parts. It continues to decribe the clothes made for the Kohanim.
We then learn about the assembly of the Mishkan. On the first day of the month of Nisan, after the Jews had been in the desert for almost one full year, Moshe collected all of the components and assembled the Mishkan.
A cloud then descended, signifying Divine approval of the construction. The cloud served to lead the Jews, remaining on the tent until it was time for the Jews to disassemble the Mishkan and travel to their next stop.
Rosh Chodesh
The Rosh Chodesh reading describes the offerings brought in the Mishkan, and later the Beit haMikdash [Temple], on Shabbat and on Rosh Chodesh. This portion comes from the Parshah called Pinchas.
Shekalim
This portion comes from the beginning of the portion of Ki Tisa, and it describes a mandatory one-time donation of a half-Shekel per soldier to the Mishkan.
After the first year, this donation became an annual Mitzvah. Every Jew (and not just every soldier) gave to the Mishkan, and later to the Beit haMikdash in Jerusalem. The donations were used to purchase offerings and incense, and the leftover money was used for improvement of the building itself and for specific communal needs.
We read this portion at the start of the month of Adar because Adar was the traditional month for the half-Shekel donations; the community would begin to make use of the collected Shekalim in the following month, Nisan. Thus the reading serves as a reminder to send in the donations.
Jews today continue to make this donation, but in the temporary absence of a Beit haMikdash we give it to tzedakah.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Vayyakhel
Hi,
In many years this portion is doubled-up with next week's Pekudei, but this year is a leap year, providing us with extra Shabbatot, so Vayyakhel and Pekudei are spread across two weeks.
Moshe descended from Sinai on Yom Kippur with the second set of Tablets, as recorded in last week's portion, and now the Jews were ready to begin building the Mishkan, which would be their Temple in the desert and for their initial entry into Israel. On the day after Yom Kippur, the Jews were instructed to keep Shabbat - and that's the way Vayyakhel begins. The Jews needed the instruction to keep Shabbat in order to teach that even construction of the Mishkan would not override Shabbat.
Moshe then communicated all of the building instructions to the Jews, and he recruited craftsmen. The Torah specifies that both men and women volunteered and contributed their materials and their work. Betzalel and Ahaliav were commissioned to lead the work.
The craftsmen soon informed Moshe that the the nation was bringing more supplies than were needed. The fact that they brought extra was, itself, an atonement for the spirit of volunteerism which was involved in creating the Golden Calf.
The Torah then goes out of its way to list everything the Jews made, even though all of these items had already been listed in Gd's instructions to Moshe. This redundancy serves to praise those who donated their time, and to show the value of their efforts.
Moshe was the one to actually assemble the Tabernacle; our Sages teach that Gd specifically left this job to him, so he would have a role in the physical creation of the Tabernacle.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
In many years this portion is doubled-up with next week's Pekudei, but this year is a leap year, providing us with extra Shabbatot, so Vayyakhel and Pekudei are spread across two weeks.
Moshe descended from Sinai on Yom Kippur with the second set of Tablets, as recorded in last week's portion, and now the Jews were ready to begin building the Mishkan, which would be their Temple in the desert and for their initial entry into Israel. On the day after Yom Kippur, the Jews were instructed to keep Shabbat - and that's the way Vayyakhel begins. The Jews needed the instruction to keep Shabbat in order to teach that even construction of the Mishkan would not override Shabbat.
Moshe then communicated all of the building instructions to the Jews, and he recruited craftsmen. The Torah specifies that both men and women volunteered and contributed their materials and their work. Betzalel and Ahaliav were commissioned to lead the work.
The craftsmen soon informed Moshe that the the nation was bringing more supplies than were needed. The fact that they brought extra was, itself, an atonement for the spirit of volunteerism which was involved in creating the Golden Calf.
The Torah then goes out of its way to list everything the Jews made, even though all of these items had already been listed in Gd's instructions to Moshe. This redundancy serves to praise those who donated their time, and to show the value of their efforts.
Moshe was the one to actually assemble the Tabernacle; our Sages teach that Gd specifically left this job to him, so he would have a role in the physical creation of the Tabernacle.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Ki Tisa
Hi,
This week's portion is "Ki Tisa."
The portion begins with instructions for a military census, telling Moshe to collect a half-shekel per male of military age. By using a collection for this purpose rather than a direct count, Moshe establishes the principle that we don't count Jews in a normal manner, separating them one by one from the whole, and this is a practice followed to this day.
Moshe was then instructed regarding creation of a "Kiyyor," the copper sink which was used in the Mishkan. The Kohanim washed their hands and feet with the Kiyyor before entering the Mishkan.
Gd gave Moshe the list of ingredients for the oil employed in anointing the Kohanim and the Mishkan. Gd also gave him the list of ingredients for the daily Ketoret (incense).
Gd appointed Betzalel and Ahaliav as lead craftsmen. The Jews were then reminded to keep Shabbat even during the building of the Mishkan.
The Torah then reverts to the storyline of the Jews in the desert:
After Gd's declaration of the Ten Commandments, Moshe ascended Mount Sinai. After 39 days, the Jews grew concerned that Moshe was not going to come back to them. Some commentators understand that Moshe had told the Jews he would be there for 40 days, and that the Jews erred by including the day he had ascended. Others understand that the Jews had no 40-day deadline, but simply lost patience waiting for Moshe.
The Jews asked Aharon to bring them a replacement leader, just as Aharon had brought them Moshe originally. Aharon stalled them, but they ended up building an altar and a golden calf, and celebrating. The consensus of most commentators is that this was not expected to be a true idol, but only a Moshe-like intermediary between them and Gd.
Gd told Moshe, on Sinai, about the golden calf. Moshe pleaded for the lives of the Jews, and then he descended and saw the calf for himself. Moshe smashed the tablets on which the Ten Commandments had been inscribed.
Moshe punished the creators and worshippers of the calf, and he then turned to Gd and pleaded for the lives of the rest of the Jews. He put his own life on the line, saying it would be better for Gd to erase him if Gd would erase them. Moshe also mentioned that the nations would assume Gd had killed the Jews because He couldn't bring them into Israel. Moshe also blamed Gd for giving the Jews a wealth of gold and leaving them leaderless in the desert in Moshe’s absence.
Gd agreed to let the Jews live. He taught Moshe the 13 Divine attributes of mercy, as a means of appealing to Gd whenever needed.
Gd told Moshe to make a second set of Tablets himself. Gd visibly distanced Himself from the Jews at this point, moving His manifestation outside the camp. The portion ends with a physical sign of the new distance between HaShem and the Jews – the Jews were now unable to bear the glow of Moshe's face after Moshe communicated with Gd, and so Moshe donned a veil when addressing the people.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
This week's portion is "Ki Tisa."
The portion begins with instructions for a military census, telling Moshe to collect a half-shekel per male of military age. By using a collection for this purpose rather than a direct count, Moshe establishes the principle that we don't count Jews in a normal manner, separating them one by one from the whole, and this is a practice followed to this day.
Moshe was then instructed regarding creation of a "Kiyyor," the copper sink which was used in the Mishkan. The Kohanim washed their hands and feet with the Kiyyor before entering the Mishkan.
Gd gave Moshe the list of ingredients for the oil employed in anointing the Kohanim and the Mishkan. Gd also gave him the list of ingredients for the daily Ketoret (incense).
Gd appointed Betzalel and Ahaliav as lead craftsmen. The Jews were then reminded to keep Shabbat even during the building of the Mishkan.
The Torah then reverts to the storyline of the Jews in the desert:
After Gd's declaration of the Ten Commandments, Moshe ascended Mount Sinai. After 39 days, the Jews grew concerned that Moshe was not going to come back to them. Some commentators understand that Moshe had told the Jews he would be there for 40 days, and that the Jews erred by including the day he had ascended. Others understand that the Jews had no 40-day deadline, but simply lost patience waiting for Moshe.
The Jews asked Aharon to bring them a replacement leader, just as Aharon had brought them Moshe originally. Aharon stalled them, but they ended up building an altar and a golden calf, and celebrating. The consensus of most commentators is that this was not expected to be a true idol, but only a Moshe-like intermediary between them and Gd.
Gd told Moshe, on Sinai, about the golden calf. Moshe pleaded for the lives of the Jews, and then he descended and saw the calf for himself. Moshe smashed the tablets on which the Ten Commandments had been inscribed.
Moshe punished the creators and worshippers of the calf, and he then turned to Gd and pleaded for the lives of the rest of the Jews. He put his own life on the line, saying it would be better for Gd to erase him if Gd would erase them. Moshe also mentioned that the nations would assume Gd had killed the Jews because He couldn't bring them into Israel. Moshe also blamed Gd for giving the Jews a wealth of gold and leaving them leaderless in the desert in Moshe’s absence.
Gd agreed to let the Jews live. He taught Moshe the 13 Divine attributes of mercy, as a means of appealing to Gd whenever needed.
Gd told Moshe to make a second set of Tablets himself. Gd visibly distanced Himself from the Jews at this point, moving His manifestation outside the camp. The portion ends with a physical sign of the new distance between HaShem and the Jews – the Jews were now unable to bear the glow of Moshe's face after Moshe communicated with Gd, and so Moshe donned a veil when addressing the people.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
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