March 28, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

After the dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and the ordination of the cohanim (priests), two of Aharon’s sons bring a strange fire before God and are consumed by fire; God then instructs Moshe and Aharon regarding which animals, fish, and birds may be eaten by the Bnei Yisrael. An interesting point appears in chapter 11, […]

• Parent-Child Learning

March 22, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, Hashem tells Moshe to describe to the cohanim (priests) the rituals for some of the offerings; the cohanim then undergo the process of ordination. As part of the process of ordination, Moshe commands Aharon and his sons as follows (8:33): “You shall not go out from the door of the tent of […]

• Parent-Child Learning

March 16, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, God commands Moshe regarding various types of korbanot (animal and vegetative offerings): under what circumstances they should be offered, and what they should consist of. An interesting verse appears in Chapter 2, which may shed some light on a popular tradition [verse 13]: “And every meal-offering of yours, you should season with […]

• Parent-Child Learning

March 9, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this final parasha in the book of Shemot (Exodus), the work of constructing the Mishkan (Tabernacle) is completed; Moshe receives the command to anoint its vessels and to anoint Aharon and the cohanim (priests). The author or Author of the Torah did not divide the text into parashot or into chapters; those divisions were made much later. The […]

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March 1, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, the Bnei Yisrael bring so many materials for the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) that Moshe tells them to stop; Betzalel and Oholiav, gifted craftspeople, construct the elements of the Mishkan. The backgrounds of these craftspeople elucidate some important principles. Betzalel is introduced in Chapter 35, verse 30 as “Betzalel, the son of […]

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February 22, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, Hashem continues describing the Mishkan (Tabernacle) to Moshe; the people worship the Aygel Hazahav (Golden Calf), Moshe pleads on their behalf, and Hashem forgives them. After the sin of the Aygel Hazahav, Moshe ascends the mountain again to commune with Hashem, and an interesting exchange takes place [30:17-23]. During this conversation, Moshe asks […]

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February 16, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, God describes to Moshe the mizbe’ach haketoret (incense altar) and the clothing and anointing process of the cohanim (priests). The ketoret (incense offering) was a blend of aromatic spices and other ingredients that, when burned, gave off a wonderful smell. Some suggest that the command to offer incense was to purify the air and to perfume […]

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February 9, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, Hashem instructs Moshe to collect gifts from Bnei Yisrael in order to build a Mishkan (Tabernacle) so that Hashem can dwell among the people; Hashem describes to Moshe the vessels and structures that comprise the Mishkan.  The words we use to describe something make a difference. People will respond differently to being described as “stingy,” […]

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February 2, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this week’s parasha, Moshe informs the people of numerous ethical and ritual laws and seals the brit (covenant) between the Bnei Yisrael and Hashem. One of the numerous laws in the parasha states (22:20), “Do not wrong a stranger nor oppress him for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Hermann Cohen (1842-1919, […]

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January 27, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this week’s parasha, Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law, suggests a system for establishing lower courts to settle disputes; Hashem articulates the Aseret HaDibrot (Ten Commandments) to the Bnei Yisrael amidst fire, smoke, and sounds of the shofar. The author of the book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), traditionally regarded to have been Shlomo HaMelech (King Solomon), wrote “ein kol chadash tachat hashemesh – there is nothing new […]

• Parent-Child Learning