Parashat Emor (Say) Parasha: Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 This week’s Parashah speaks directly to the priests , those set apart for service to God. As I read through these chapters, I was reminded … Read More
Stop Pointing Fingers
Parashat Achrei Mot (After the Death) & Kedoshim (Holy Ones) Vayikra (Leviticus) 16:1-18:40 & 19:1-20:27Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 (Ashkenazi Jews) & Ezekiel 20:2-20 (Sephardic Jews) It’s easy to point at the world and say, “They’re the problem.” … Read More
Unlikely Messengers of Hope
Parashat Tazria (She Conceives) & Metzora (Leprosy) Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:1-13:8 & 14:1-15:33Haftarah: 2 Kings 7:3-20 This week’s double portion, Tazria and Metzora, deals with a topic that feels distant to many of us today: biblical leprosy, or tzara’at. While these … Read More
The Problem of Good Intentions
Parashat Shemini (Eighth) Leviticus 9:1-11:47Haftarah: 2 Samuel 6:1-7:17 This week, during our staff meeting, we found ourselves asking a fundamental question: Why do we do what we do? As followers of God, are we simply going through … Read More
God’s Not Done Yet
Parasha: Exodus 13:17-15:26 Maftir: Numbers 28:19-25Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51Sheviei of Pesach (7th of Passover) This Passover, as I sat with the special Torah portions and looked back on the last year and a half, I couldn’t … Read More
The Fire That Purifies
Parashat Tzav | Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:1–8:36 Haftarah: Malachi 3:1–24 Shabbat HaGadol – The Great Sabbath Before Passover As we enter this special Shabbat—Shabbat HaGadol—we stand on the threshold of freedom. Soon we will retell the … Read More
The Power of Salt
Parashat Vayikra (And He Called) Vayikra (Leviticus) 1:1-5:26Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21–44:23 This week, we begin reading from the Book of Leviticus. In our Parashah, we find detailed instructions that God gave to Moses—commands meant for the children … Read More
Practicing His Presence
Parashat Pequdei (Accounts Of) Shemot (Exodus) 38:21-40:38Shabbat HaChodesh (Shabbat of The Month) : Exodus 12:1-20Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18 This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Pequdei, which closes the book of Exodus. It’s also Shabbat HaChodesh, the Shabbat that falls … Read More
Serving with a Full Heart
Parashat VaYaqhel (And He Assembled)Shemot (Exodus) 35:1–38:20Maftir: Numbers 19:1-22Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16-38Shabbat Parah (Cow) This week is Shabbat Parah (Cow). Shabbat Parah, observed before Shabbat HaChodesh, includes a special Torah reading from Numbers 19:1-22 about the … Read More
The Time is NOW!
Parashat Ki Tisa (When You Lift Up) Shemot (Exodus) 30:11-34:35 Haftarah: 1 Kings 18:1-39 This week, we read of what could have been one of the most amazing moments in the history of the children … Read More