The name of this week’s Parasha is Shemini, which means “Eighth”, and it takes us from Leviticus 9:1 through 11:47. Moses summoned Aaron, his sons, and the Israeli elders on the 8th day after the 7 days of ordination for Aaron and his sons were completed. Aaron was instructed to sacrifice for himself an unblemished bull calf for a sin
The name of this week’s Parasha is Terumah, which means “Offering” and it takes us from Exodus 25:1 through 27:19. Moses receives specific instructions from God on the materials, construction and location of the Tabernacle, as well as the items to be placed inside the Tabernacle. These include the Ark of the Covenant, the table, the lampstand, and the altar
The name of this week’s parasha is Vayigash, meaning “and he drew near”, and covers Genesis 44:18-47:27. The story of Joseph’s brothers standing before him during their second journey to Egypt is continued in this parasha, which begins with Judah’s plea – asking to take Benjamin’s place as Joseph’s slave, since he had guaranteed Benjamin’s safe return to their father
The name of this Shabbat’s parasha is Vayera, meaning “and he appeared”, and covers Genesis 18:1-22:24. Abraham saw God and two angels (in human form) near his tent and invited them in, offering them food and water. Adonai promised to return the same time the following year, and Sarah will give birth to a son! Upon hearing this, Sarah silently
The name of this week’s parasha is Ki Tavo, which means “when you enter in” and covers Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8. In chapter 26, Moses instructed the Israelis on honoring God with the first fruits of the harvest after they settled in the Promised Land, including a declaration of His mighty deeds in bringing them into the Land. In the 3rd year
The name of this week’s parasha is Korach, which means “Korah” and covers Numbers 16-18. Moses’ authority was challenged by a faction led by Korah, son of Kohath, from the tribe of Levi, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On from the tribe of Reuben, along with 250 Israeli leaders. They objected to the restriction that priests could only come from
The name of this week’s parasha is Emor, which means “say” and covers Leviticus 21-24. Adonai commanded Moses to instruct the priests on the need for holiness. Priests must not become ceremonially unclean when dealing with the death of an Israeli, unless it is a close relative. They were not to shave their heads, trim the sides of their beards,
The name of this week’s parasha is Ki Tisa, which means “when you elevate” and covers Exodus 30:11-34:35. Adonai instructs Moses on collecting the Israelis’ money for atonement when they were counted in a census. Everyone was to give a half shekel, which was designated for the Tent of Meeting. Adonai gave Moses instructions for Aaron and his sons to
The name of this week’s parasha is Beshalach, which means “when he sent” or “when he let go,” and covers Exodus 13:17-17:16. After Pharaoh finally released the Jewish people, Adonai led them along the Red Sea with a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. Moses took Joseph’s bones when Israel left Egypt, fulfilling the
The name of this week’s parasha is Toldot, which means “generations” and covers Genesis 25:19-28:9. Isaac prayed to Adonai for his wife Rebecca to bear children and he got a two-for-one deal! During Rebecca’s pregnancy, the children struggled inside her and she asked the Lord why. God told her that two nations were inside her; one stronger than the other
The name of this week’s parasha is Vayelech, which means “and he went” and covers Deuteronomy 31:1-30. Moses told the Jewish people that when they entered the Promised Land, Joshua would be their leader, and Adonai would go before them to deliver the nations there into their hands. Those nations would suffer the fate of the Amorite kings Sihon and
The names of this week’s parashas are Mattot and Masei: Matot means “tribes” and Masei means “journeys”. They cover Numbers 30:2-36:13. Moses gave Israel Adonai’s commands regarding vows in chapter 30. If a woman made a vow, it could be revoked by her husband or father. However, widows and divorced women didn’t have this option and would have to fulfill
The name of this week’s parasha is Sh’lach L'cha, which means “Send For Yourself” and covers Numbers 13:1-15:41. Adonai told Moses in chapter 13 to send leaders from each of Israel’s tribes to explore Canaan. Included in this list are Caleb, representing Judah, and Hoshea (whom Moses re-named Joshua), representing Ephraim. Moses told these men to gather information about the
The name of this week’s parasha is M’tzora, which means ‘lepers” and covers Leviticus 14:1 - 15:33. In chapter 14 Adonai gives Moses instructions on the procedure for cleansing from leprosy. A person healed from leprosy was to go before the priest with two live clean birds, along with cedar wood, scarlet, yarn and hyssop. One of the birds was
The name of this week’s parasha is Tetzaveh, which means “you shall command” and covers Exodus 27:20 - 30:10. The Jewish people were commanded to bring clear oil from pressed, unripened olives, to the Tent of Meeting so that Aaron and his sons could keep the lamps there burning. This command is repeated in Leviticus 24. The priestly garments worn
The name of this week’s Parasha is Vayetzei, which means “and he went out” and covers Genesis 28:10-32:3. During Jacob’s journey, he had a dream one night of seeing a ladder from Earth to Heaven and God’s angels going up and down the ladder, with God Himself above the ladder. God reaffirmed to Jacob the promises He made with Abraham
The name of this week’s parasha is Shoftim, which means "Judges" and covers Deuteronomy 16:18 through 21:9. Moses instructed the Israelis to appoint judges that would show justice and impartiality in the cases they heard. He listened to the wise counsel of his father-in-law Jethro by selecting God-fearing judges from among the people to judge the lesser cases, so that
The name of this week’s Parasha is Nasso, which means “Take up,” “Elevate” or “Lift” and covers Numbers 4:21-7:89. After taking a census earlier in chapter 4 of the Kohathite men that worked at the Tent of Meeting, who were Levites, Adonai told Moses to do the same thing for the Gershonites and Merarites, who were also Levites. The total
Have you ever received unsolicited advice from your in-laws? Moses received some good advice from his father-in-law, whose name, Yitro (Jethro), is also the title of this week’s Parasha, which covers Exodus 18:1-20:26. Jethro, a priest of Midian, who was Moses’ father-in-law and who is also called Reuel or “friend of God” in Exodus 2, heard about Adonai’s mighty deeds
The name of this week’s Parasha is Toldot, which means “generations” and covers Genesis 25:19-28:9. Isaac’s family is listed in Genesis 25 with Abraham as Isaac’s father and Rebecca as Isaac’s wife. Isaac prayed to Adonai for Rebecca to bear children and his request was granted. During Rebecca’s pregnancy, the children were struggling inside of her and she asked Adonai
The name of this week’s Parasha is Re’eh, which means “see” and covers Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17. Moses presented the blessings for obedience, and the curses for disobedience, to Adonai’s commandments described earlier in Deuteronomy 11. Upon entering the Promised Land, the Jewish people would proclaim the blessings on Mount Gerizim and the curses on Mount Ebal, with each tribe’s responsibilities listed
The name of this week’s Parasha is Sh’lach Lecha, which means “send” and covers Numbers 13:1-15:41. Adonai told Moses in chapter 13 to send leaders from each of Israel’s tribes to explore Canaan. Caleb, who represented Judah, and Hoshea (whom Moses re-named Joshua), who represented Ephraim, are included in this list. Moses told these men to gather information about the
The name of this week’s Parasha is M’tzora, which means “lepers”, and it takes us from Leviticus 14:1-15:33. Adonai gave Moses instructions on the procedure for cleansing from leprosy in chapter 14. A person healed from leprosy must appear before the priest with two living clean birds and cedar wood, scarlet, yarn and hyssop. One of the birds is killed
The name of this week’s Parasha is Mishpatim, which means “Judgments”, and it takes us from Exodus 21:1-24:18. Moses gave the Jewish people specific instructions on how to treat Jewish slaves. These slaves were to be released in the 7th year of their servitude and a man could take his wife with him if she had already been married to
The name of this week’s Parasha is Vayeshev, which means “and he settled.” It covers Genesis 37:1-40:23, and provides us with several important events in the lives of Jacob and his family, who are now dwelling in the land of Canaan. Unfortunately, Jacob favored Joseph over the rest of his sons, which caused the brothers to resent Joseph. Joseph was