Parashat Behaalot’ha (When You Kindle) Bamidbar (Numbers) 8:1–12:6 As I was preparing to write the blog this week, I kept returning to the same Scripture again and again, which is Numbers 12:1. It is a … Read More
The Privilege of a Blessing
Parashat Nasso (Lift Up) Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:21–7:89 In our reading this week, we find a very special prayer and blessing which is possibly one of the most well-known blessings, known as the Priestly blessing, or … Read More
The Inner Circle
Parashat Bamidbar (In the Desert/Wilderness) Bamidbar (Numbers) 1:1–4:20 The Book of Numbers in Hebrew is called “In the Desert (Wilderness)” and it speaks of the time when the children of Israel wandered in the desert … Read More
Holding On Too Tight
Parashat Bahar (On the Mountain)& Bechukotai (In My Decrees) VaYikra (Leviticus) 25:1–26:2 & 26:3–27:34 Our weekly reading made me think about things that we hold on to, and the possessions that we think belong to … Read More
Deadly Sin
Parashat Acharei Mot (After the Death) & Parashat Kedoshim (Holy Ones) VaYikra (Leviticus) 16:1–18:30 & 19:1–20:27 Our weekly Scripture reading brings us to two very interesting portions, “After Death” and “Holy Ones”. I have previously … Read More
Bold Belief
Parashat Tazria (She Conceives) & Metzora (Leprosy) VaYikra (Leviticus) 12:1–13:8 & 14:1–15:33 In our Scripture reading this week, we read an interesting and sometimes puzzling set of purity laws that have a powerful connection to … Read More
A Strange Fire
Parashat Shmini (Eighth) Vayikra (Leviticus) 9:1–11:47 In my last blog entry, Don’t Miss this Opportunity, I wrote that, if after the current Covid-19 pandemic, everything will simply “return to normal”, we will have missed an … Read More
Don’t Miss this Opportunity
This past Wednesday, in my house in the Jerusalem hills, I had the privilege to join Jewish people around the world in an ancient tradition called Passover. There is no doubt that this year’s Pesach … Read More
Passover: A New Meaning for Our Time
On Wednesday evening this coming week, my family and I will have the privilege to join Jewish people around the world in an ancient tradition called Passover. This feast of remembrance, which God instructed Moses … Read More