Parashat Bechukotai (In My Decrees) Vayikra (Leviticus) 26:3-27:34 Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 I often ask myself, “Why do I do what I do?” It’s important for us to examine what motivates us. Do we do things … Read More
To Whom Does the Land Belong?
Parashat Bahar (On the Mountain) Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:1–26:2 Haftarah: Jeremiah 32:6–27 We live in very intersting times, since May 14th 1948, when David Ben Gurion said in Israel’s Declaration of Independence: “ACCORDINGLY WE, MEMBERS OF … Read More
Chosen for What?
Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 The Jewish people are often called God’s “chosen people”. This begs the question, “For what have we been chosen?” The answer: To reveal the God of … Read More
Holiness: What it Is & Isn’t
Parashat Kedoshim (Holy Ones) Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:1-20:27 Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 (Ashkenazi Jews) & Ezekiel 20:2-20 (Sephardic Jews) Over the years of being a Jewish follower of the Messiah, I have often asked, “What was I … Read More
Redemption Through Judgment
Parashat Acharei Mot (After the death) VAYIKRA (LEVITICUS) 16:1-18:40 HAFTARAH: EZEKIEL 22:1–16 God’s ways are mysterious. There are many things in Scripture that can be difficult to understand or seem to go against our human … Read More
His Kingdom Come
Parashat Metzora (Leprosy) Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:1-15:33 Shabbat HaGadol! Haftarah: Malachi 3:4-24 (4:6 English Bibles) This week we have a special reading from Malachi 3:4-24 for what is called the “Shabbat HaGadol” (Great Shabbat) which is … Read More
All Glory to Him
Parashat Tazria (She Conceives) Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:1-13:59 Haftara: 2 Kings 4:42-5:19 In the center of this week’s reading is the issue of leprosy. It is important to remember that when studying leprosy in biblical texts, … Read More
Do Our Traditions Honor God?
Parashat Shemini (Eighth) Leviticus 9:1-11:47 Shabbat HaChodesh (Shabbat of The Month) : Exodus 12:1-20 Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18 This week we have a special reading for what is known as Shabbat HaChodesh, which is the Shabbat … Read More
Redeemed for Relationship
Parashat Tzav (Command) Leviticus 6:1-8:36 (English 6:8-8:36) Shabbat Parah (Cow) Maftir: Numbers 19:1-22 Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16-38 The various sacrifices that God instituted point us to a larger purpose in God’s plan of salvation. In the … Read More
Submitting to His Sovereignty
Parashat Vayikra (And He Called) Vayikra (Leviticus) 1:1-5:26 Special reading for Shabbat “Zachor” (Remembrance) Deuteronomy 25:17-19 Haftarah: 1 Samuel 15:1-44 We have a special reading this week for Shabbat “Zachor” (Remembrance), which is the Shabbat … Read More