Tag: Parent-Child Learning
Torah Talk for Parashat Kedoshim
May 9, 2016 by
In this parasha, God tells Moshe to give the people a series of ethical and ritual laws instructing them in how to be holy. The parasha opens with the words Kedoshim tihiyu – “You shall be holy.” A very simple statement, but how does one achieve this, and what is holiness anyway? The American Heritage Dictionary […]
Torah Talk for Parashat Acharei Mot
May 2, 2016 by
In this parasha, God instructs Moshe regarding the procedures for the Day of Atonement; sexual prohibitions are then listed. In one of those strange vicissitudes of the Jewish calendar, the parasha we read immediately following Pesach addresses the Temple service on Yom Kippur. Our minds are still wrapped around the fun we had at the […]
Torah Talk for Parashat Metzora
April 12, 2016 by
In this parasha, God describes the purification ritual for people and homes afflicted with tzara’at (leprosy); God also instructs Moshe and Aharon regarding laws related to the emission of bodily fluids. Chapter 14, verse 11 tells us: “The cohen that cleanses him shall set the man that is to be cleansed and those things before […]
Torah Talk for Parashat Tazria
April 5, 2016 by
In this week’s parasha, God instructs Moshe about the purification rituals for mothers following childbirth; God then describes to Moshe and Aharon the procedures for identifying and responding to those infected with tzara’at (usually translated as leprosy). Commentators, most notably Rashi, maintain that the Torah is written in thematic order so that we can ascertain […]
Torah Talk for Parashat Shemini
March 28, 2016 by
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, […]
Torah Talk for Parashat Tzav
March 22, 2016 by
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 […]
Torah Talk for Parashat Vayikra
March 16, 2016 by
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 […]
Torah Talk for Parashat Pekudei
March 9, 2016 by
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 […]
Torah Talk for Parashat Vayakhel
March 1, 2016 by
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 […]
Torah Talk for Parashat Ki Tisa
February 22, 2016 by
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 […]
