Tag Archives: Pieces of Parasha

Lift Up Your Head

Parashat Bamidbar What is the purpose of the census at the beginning of the book of Numbers, and why is so much detail placed on the encampment of the tribes of Israel around the Tabernacle? This week’s Torah portion begins the … Continue reading

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Demonstrating Faith

Parashiot Behar – Bechukotai What is the connection between these two parashiot, and what is the ultimate promise made by G-d to the Jewish people? Behar and Bechukotai are the last two portions in the book of Vayikra, Leviticus. On non-leap years, when … Continue reading

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Preparing for Shavuot

Parashat Emor We are currently in the last few weeks of counting the omer. The ‘omer’ is a measure of grain, but according to the Torah, it also the measure we use to count the days between Passover and Shavuot. … Continue reading

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Holiness in Doing

Acharei Mot – Kedoshim This week’s double-portion seems to be a long list of do’s and don’ts. If so, why is their so much talk about holiness and being holy? What is the connection? Parashat Kedoshim is one of my favorite parashiot in … Continue reading

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The Leper Scholar

Parashiot Tazria-Metzora Our Torah portions this week discuss the malady of tzara’at. Previously I have discussed how tzara’at is not what we often think it is. Although it is common to understand these passages as dealing with an actual skin … Continue reading

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God Needs YOU!

Parashiot Vayakhel – Pekudei “G-d spoke unto Moshe, saying: ‘On the first day of the first month, you are to set up the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting (Exodus 40:1-2).’” Judaism teaches that G-d has a unique purpose for each … Continue reading

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One Cow, Two Cow, Red Cow, Gold Cow

Shabbat Parah – Ki Tissa This week is a special Shabbat called Shabbat Parah. It is named after the special maftir reading from Numbers 19 that describes the process for sacrificing the Red Heifer. This portion is always read before … Continue reading

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Purim: A Sudden Reversal

Parashat Tetzave – Shabbat Zachor What is the connection between this week’s Torah portion and Purim? G-d takes ritual roles very seriously. Parashat Tetzave deals almost exclusively with the Kohanim – the priests. The Torah describes in detail their role … Continue reading

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Divine Presence

Parashat Terumah What is the connection between the construction of the Tabernacle, its furnishings and the Presence of G-d among the people of Israel? This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Terumah, centers on the instructions concerning the building of the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) and … Continue reading

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What does G-d expect of us?

Parashat Yitro This week’s Parasha tells us that “Moshe went up to G-d, and then HaShem called to him from the mountain.” This phrase begins the retelling of the powerful story of G-d giving the Torah to Israel, and of the … Continue reading

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