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
Obedience is a Choice
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 One of the most important words that we find in the Word of God is “if”. So … Read More
Caring for Body & Soul
Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 In this week’s Parashah, we see that God called the Levitical priests to a very specific standard of living. We find similar instructions in the Haftarah … Read More
Beyond Judgment
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) In the end days, God’s city Jerusalem will experience His … Read More
A Testimony of God’s Healing
Parashat Tazria (She Conceives) & Metzora (Leprosy) Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:1-13:8 & 14:1-15:33 Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24 This week’s reading portions contain some very interesting precepts that God gave to the children of Israel regarding that which … Read More
Foreign Fire
Parashat Shemini (Eighth) Leviticus 9:1-11:47 Haftarah: 2 Samuel 6:1-7:17 In reading this week’s Parashah and Haftarah portions, I was once again struck by two tragic accounts. In Leviticus 10:1–2 we read: Now Nadab and Abihu, … Read More