Parashat Behaalot’ha (When You Kindle) Bamidbar (Numbers) 8:1–12:6 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 As I was reading this week’s Parasha and Haftara one word connected the two, which is the “Menorah”. In the vast majority of English … Read More
A Special Vow
Parashat Nasso (Lift Up) Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:21–7:89 Haftarah: Judges 13:2–25 In this week’s Parasha, we read of a very special vow that a person can take upon him or herself: Again the LORD spoke to Moses, … Read More
A Future Peace
Parashat Bamidbar (In the Desert/Wilderness) Bamidbar (Numbers) 1:1–4:20 Haftarah: Hosea 2:1–22 (1:10–2:20 in the English Bible) In Hebrew, the Book of Numbers is called במדבר״ ״ which actually means “In the Desert (Wilderness)”. It recounts … Read More
Our Only Hope!
Parashat Bahar (On the Mountain) & Bechukotai (In My Decrees) Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:1–26:2 & 26:3–27:34 Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19–17:14 “If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out,” Leviticus … Read More
A Higher Calling
Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1–24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15–31 In our Parasha, we read “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them…” (Leviticus 21:1a). It then … Read More
Bought with a Price
Parashat Achrei Mot (After the death) & Kedoshim (Holy ones) Vayikra (Leviticus) 16:1-18:40 & 19:1-20:27 Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 (Ashkenazi Jews) & Ezekiel 22:1-16 (Sephardi Jews) I previously wrote similar thoughts about this week’s reading, but … Read More
The Foolish Shaming the Wise
Parashat Tazria (She Conceives) & Metzora (Leprosy) Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:1–13:8 & 14:1–15:33 Haftarah: 2 Kings 7:3–20 This week’s Parasha contains some very interesting precepts that God gave to the children of Israel regarding that which … Read More
What Does God Ask of You?
Parashat Shemini (Eighth) Vayikra (Leviticus) 9:1–11:47 Haftarah: 2 Samuel 6:1–7:17 In our Parasha portion we read of the incredible account that took place when Aaron offered the sacrifice before the Lord: Then Aaron lifted up … Read More
Passover Reflections
Pesach (Passover) Shemot (Exodus) 13:17–15:26 Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1–51 This week there is a special reading for the seventh day of Passover (the last day), which according to tradition, is the day God parted the … Read More
Giving Him Our All
Parashat Tzav (Command) Shemot (Exodus) 6:1–8:36 (English 6:8–8:36) Haftarah: Malachi 3:4–24 This Shabbat is the Shabbat before Passover. It is called the “Shabbat HaGadol” (Great Sabbath) because while in Egypt, it was on Shabbat that … Read More