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Weekly Torah
“You shall not turn to the worthless idols, nor shall you make molten deities for yourselves.” (Leviticus 19:4) Don’t fall prey to your own fears and weaknesses and begin shaping false gods to provide easy answers, and in essence become answerable to you. It is you who must shape your being and your destiny to G-d’s will, and by doing so, become answerable to G-d.
Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1-20:27)
Parashat Kedoshim is read on Shabbat:
Nisan 26, 5771/April 30, 2011
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G-d’s glory fills not only the Tabernacle, but the entire world. Serving G-d in this world and living life in the acknowledgment of His omnipresence is a fine line, and a highly choreographed balancing act. The laws of purity delineated throughout the book of Leviticus are, in fact, instructions for maintaining a spiritual nearness to G-d on an every day basis, without falling into the abyss of our own physicality.
Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30)
Parashat Acharei Mot is read on Shabbat:
Nisan 12, 5771/April 16, 2011
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The individual suffering from tzarat can bear the affliction within the walls of their house, the clothing that they wear, or upon their own flesh. While the affliction causes a debilitating physical reaction, it is essentially a spiritual wake-up call. Acknowledging one’s shortcomings and approaching the attending kohen is the beginning of a spiritual recovery, which leads to its own reward.
Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33)
Parashat Metzora is read on Shabbat:
Nisan 5, 5771/April 9, 2011
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The Torah concepts of tahara and tum’a, imperfectly translated as spiritual purity and impurity, are impossibly difficult for us to entirely grasp through our intellect. And this is because, simply put, these concepts, or the realities that they express, are so much greater than our own individual selves. The period of impurity which visits a mother upon the birth of a child bespeaks of the passage of pure and perfect knowledge from one world to the next, and the necessary loss that results. The extended period of impurity upon the birth of a daughter reflects the more perfect image of G-d that is embodied in the female soul.
Tazria (Leviticus 12:1-13:59)
Parashat Tazria is read on Shabbat:
II Adar 27, 5771/April 2, 2011
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This upcoming Shabbat, (March 26), we read the special Torah reading, Parashat Parah, Numbers 19, all about the parah adumah – the red heifer. A necessary part of Passover preparation during the time of the Holy Temple, the reading of the Torah description of the statute of the red heifer continues to be part of our tradition today. In spite of it all, the red heifer remains to this day the most compelling and elusive mystery in the Holy Torah. Yet what the mystery reveals about our own nature and our relationship with G-d is most enlightening.
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On the eighth day of the inauguration of the Tabernacle, the first day of the month of Nisan, a whole new reality overtook creation. As fire rushed down from heaven to consume the first offering placed upon the altar on this the first day of the Divine service in the Tabernacle, Nadav and Avihu, the righteous sons of Aharon the High Priest, sought eternalize the moment, to make the momentous now be forever. Their error in implementation cost them their lives. Torah prescribes for the rest of us a way to succeed where they failed.
Shmini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)
Parashat Shmini is read on Shabbat:
II Adar 20, 5771/March 26, 2011
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The olah – burnt offering – described in parashat Tzav is understood by our sages to embody the potential to expiate the sin of doubtful thoughts of the heart, those thoughts which can distance us from G-d and lead us to transgression. An untoward thought is a most serious spiritual lapse, even if it does not ultimately lead to an ill-conceived action. The inclusion of the olah in the daily Tamid service of the Holy Temple attests to the centrality of the doubtful thoughts of the heart in the human condition and our need to vanquish the doubt and draw near to G-d.
Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36)
Parashat Tzav is read on Shabbat:
II Adar 13, 5771/March 19, 2011
Sacred to the memory of Udi, Ruth, Yoav, Elad and Hadas Fogel. May G-d avenge their blood.
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