Archive for Nisan / Iyar 5776 - May 2016
The book of Leviticus concludes with a stark but promising choice: Either regard life as void of meaning, empty of purpose, vacant, meaningless and futile and discover that life regards you likewise, and suffer the torturous consequences, or “follow My [G-d’s] statutes and observe My commandments and perform them,” and see the purpose and holiness in life, and G-d will bless you with all good things.
Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3 – 27:34)
Parashat Bechukotai is read on Shabbat:
Iyar 20 5776/May 28, 2016 (Israel)
Iyar 27 5776/June 4, 2016 (Diaspora)
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Temple Talk is a weekly internet radio webcast with Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven of the Temple Institute.
This week features:
Iyar and the Sanctification of Earthiness
The Blessings and Admonition of Parashat Bechukotai: The Reality Test of our Lives
This week has hosted three important dates in this special month of Iyar: The Biblically-mandated Second Passover (Iyar 14), the day upon which the Manna began to fall in the desert (15 Iyar), and Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, anniversary of the passing of the famed sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (18 Iyar). This week’s fascinating edition of Temple Talk finds our hosts connecting the dots between these unusual days, and expounding further upon the unique qualities of the month of Iyar. Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Chaim Richman delve deeply into the Torah’s message of sanctifying the physicality of our world and finding Hashem’s presence in everything.
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The life force that G-d bestows upon all creation transcends time and space and invests all creation with holiness. By the laws of shemittah (7 year sabbatical cycle) and Yovel (49 year Jubilee cycle), Torah commands Israel to take possession of both time and space in order to reveal and make visible the holiness in G-d’s creation.
Behar (Leviticus 25:1-26:2)
Parashat Behar is read on Shabbat:
Iyar 13 5776/May 21, 2016 (Israel)
Iyar 20 5776/May 28, 2016 (Diaspora)
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The Holy Temple is not simply a unique place and time within which G-d’s presence dwells and can be experienced by all who enter. The Holy Temple, within which G-d’s presence is overwhelmingly in the here and now, shapes for all humanity, near and far, the space and time in which we live and the way we perceive our own place in space and time. The appointed Temple festivals around which our lives are centered, and the detailed precision of the daily service in the Holy Temple, create a spiritual gravitational pull that frees us from our own misconceptions and disorientation and puts us in step with the Creator of the universe.
Emor (Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23)
Parashat Emor is read on Shabbat:
Iyar 6, 5776/May 14, 2016 (Israel)
Iyar 13/May 21, 2016 (Diaspora)
Temple Institute Links:
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Temple Talk is a weekly internet radio webcast with Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven of the Temple Institute.
This week features:
You Can’t Dance at Two Weddings
Lessons from the ‘Second Passover:’ G-d Waits for Us to Ask for a Second Chance
This week’s edition of Temple Talk finds our hosts asking, what’s the election campaign for the American presidency have to do with the Torah’s commandment for the Sabbatical year in the Land of Israel? Everything. Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Chaim Richman share amazing insights from the Torah portion of Behar, examining the commandment of the Sabbatical year in the light of the contemporary reality in the Land of Israel. The Temple Mount takes center stage, as the Prime Minister of Israel ‘tries to dance at two weddings.’ What’s that expression mean? Tune in to this week’s passionate installment of Temple Talk to find out, and to hear what G-d would say if He were allowed to speak at the ‘Peace Talks:’ “The Land is Mine!”
Temple Institute Links:
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Temple Talk is a weekly internet radio webcast with Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven of the Temple Institute.
This week features:
Temple Talk’s Israel Independence Day Special
Secrets of the Month of Iyar & the ‘Biblical’ Holiday of Independence Day: The State of Israel Brings Blessing & Healing to the Whole World
Israel’s calendar has now reached the month of Iyar, a ‘quiet’ month sandwiched between Passover and Shavuot. But in our time, this month – the anniversary of the building of King Solomon’s Temple – has become host to a new reality: the establishment of the State of Israel. This week’s rousing edition of Temple Talk is a celebration of the miracle of the State of Israel, as hosts Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Chaim Richman focus on the unique confluence of Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day, with other events of the month of Iyar, and the Biblical significance of modern events as the prophetic fulfillment of G-d’s promises to His people.
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“You shall be holy, for I, HaShem, your G-d, am holy.” How is that possible? What is required? How is it to be achieved? Parashat Kedoshim describes what it takes to be holy because G-d is holy, and why this imperative, which applies to the entire nation, is included in Leviticus, the guide-book for Kohanim.
Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27)
Parashat Kedoshim is read on Shabbat:
Nisan 29, 5776/May 7, 2016
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