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
Soul Searching
Parashat Tzav (Command) “Shabbat HaGadol” (Great Sabbath) Leviticus 6:1-8:36 (English 6:8-8:36) Haftarah Malachi 3:4-24 (English 3:4-4:5) LORD GOD This Shabbat is the Shabbat before Passover. It is called the “Shabbat HaGadol” (Great Sabbath) because while … Read More
Motivated by Gratitude & Love
Parashat Vayikra (And He Called) Vayikra (Leviticus) 1:1–5:26 Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21–44:23 This week, we begin reading from the Book of Leviticus. In our Parashah this week, we find the instructions that God gave to Moses, … Read More
Choosing Him Daily
Parashat Bechukotai (In My Decrees) Vayikra (Leviticus) 26:3-27:34 Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 “If” is one of the most important words that we find in Scripture, in my opinion. This week’s Parasha begins with this powerful word, … Read More
Spiritual Redemption in the Natural
Parashat Bahar (On the Mountain) Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:1–26:2 Haftarah: Jeremiah 32:6–27 In our Parashah this week, we find instructions regarding the year of Jubilee (Yovel in Hebrew): So you shall consecrate the fiftieth year and … Read More
An Earthly Cost; a Heavenly Reward
Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1–24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15–31 As I reflect upon this week’s reading and the higher call by which the Priests had to live, I have been thinking about the cost of … Read More
An Antidote to Sin
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