Parashat Kedoshim (Holy Ones) Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:1-20:27 Shabbat “Head of the Month” Maftir: Numbers 28:11-15 Haftarah: 1 Samuel 20:18-42 There is a special reading for the Shabbat of the beginning of the month, which is … Read More
Jerusalem’s Destiny
Parashat Achrei Mot (After the Death) Vayikra (Leviticus) 16:1–18:40 Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1–16 Jerusalem is the most important city in the world. As I was reading this week’s Parasha and Haftarah portions, I couldn’t help but … Read More
Purification — Not Perfection
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
Eternal Leader
Parashat Tazria (She Conceives) Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:1–13:8 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 … Read More
Purification
Parashat Shemini (Eighth) Vayikra (Leviticus) 9:1–11:47 Maftir: Numbers 19:1–22 Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16–38 This week there is a special reading for what is called “Shabbat Parah”, which is the Shabbat before the “Shabbat HaChodesh” (Sabbath of … Read More
Missing the Point
Parashat Tzav (Command) Leviticus 6:1-8:36 (English 6:8-8:36) Haftarah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:30 & 9:22-23 In reading and writing this week’s Scripture commentary, I noticed a conflict that made me ask “Are we missing the point?” In the … Read More
Following God Wholeheartedly
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
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