Post The Nazirite: Saint or Sinner? The Book of Numbers describes the vow of the Nazir (Nazirite). The Nazir is not allowed to drink wine, cut his hair, or come into close contact with the dead…. Read More
Post The Omer Wave Offering The Omer, a biblical measurement of approximately 43 ounces, refers to the wave offering of barley that was brought to the Temple along with a sacrifice of a lamb. Before… Read More
Post The Peace Offering in the City of Peace People who are unfamiliar with the Bible think that a sacrifice is an unspecified animal that is slaughtered haphazardly and thrown into a blazing fire to be burnt entirely. But… Read More
Post The Portion of Acharei Mot The portion of Acharei Mot picks up following the deaths of Aaron’s older sons, Nadab and Abihu. It contains the instructions for the Yom Kippur — or Day of Atonement… Read More
Post The Portion of Metzorah This week’s Torah portion describes the purification of a recovered metzora, or leper, by the priest through a specific procedure involving two birds, spring water stored in an earthen vessel,… Read More
Post The Portion of Tzav Our portion provides additional details regarding the sacrificial rites discussed in last week’s portion. God instructs both the priests and the people, via Moses, on proper conduct with the various… Read More
Post Slaughtering a Mother and Her Offspring on the Same Day The Torah contains many commandments pertaining to eating animals; which animals are permitted and how to slaughter them. In the context of verses pertaining to Temple offerings, the Torah adds… Read More
Post The Ritual of Routine It is the ongoing, everyday actions—our consistent efforts to connect with God, to live by His commandments, and to treat others with love and respect—that truly define and deepen our… Read More
Post The Shewbread: God’s Sustenance By the time we read the Torah portion of Emor (Leviticus 21–24), the Tabernacle has been built along with all of its necessary utensils. The Kohanim (priests) stand at the… Read More
Post The Status of the Priests, Then and Now After the sin of the Golden Calf, the tribe of Levi is chosen to serve in the Temple instead of the firstborn as they did not participate in the sin…. Read More