Post Sexual Purity and the Land of Israel Leviticus chapter 18 introduces the Torah’s restrictions on sexual relations. The punishment for violating these transgressions is karet (being cut off from Israel). The title given for the list of… Read More
Post The Portion of Kedoshim The portion of Kedoshim includes moral and ritual laws designed to increase the holiness of the nation, as well as punishments for many of the transgressions mentioned in Acharei Mot…. Read More
Post The Portion of Vayeira The Torah portion of Vayeira continues the story of Abraham as he establishes the foundation for the Jewish nation. Having circumcised himself at God’s command, he now encounters three visitors… Read More
Post The Status of the Menstruant Woman When a woman has her menstrual period she becomes ritually impure. The Torah laws concerning this (referred to as the laws of niddah) are the basis of family purity, one… Read More
Post Tzaraat On Clothing: The First Warning Leviticus introduces the affliction of tzaraat. Commonly mistranslated as leprosy, tzaraat can afflict the body, a home, or even clothing. Tzaraat only afflicts clothing made of three materials: wool, linen,… Read More
Post Tzaraat: Leprosy or the Messiah’s Affliction? The Torah portion of Tazria (Leviticus 12–13) deals with tzaraat, a disease usually mistranslated as leprosy. Tzaraat is a malady that afflicts the body, clothing, and the walls of houses…. Read More
Post Purity in the Land Chapter 18 of Leviticus is seemingly a list of dos and don’ts, not unlike many of the rules of purity and impurity listed throughout Leviticus. But at closer examination, there… Read More
Post What Does it Mean to Be Holy? Leviticus Chapter 19 begins with a deceptively simple commandment:Â You shall be holy, for I, Hashem your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:2 There has been much speculation about this verse…. Read More
Post A Priest’s Marriage Limitations Until the Exodus from Egypt, the patriarchs had an individual relationship with God, bringing sacrifices wherever and whenever they felt the calling. But when God brought the Children of Israel… Read More
![Our portion teaches that social responsibility leads to holiness. [Image: Shutterstock]](https://theisraelbible.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/child-grandfather-holding-hands.jpg)
