By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week, we read a double parshiot: Tazria, followed by Metzora. Each of these parshiot describe in punctilious detail the bewildering phenomenon of ‘tzaraat’. In effect, this is a physical manifestation of a spiritual malaise, frequently mistranslated as ‘leprosy’. An individual afflicted with ‘tzaraat’ would be referred to […]
Author: AHWebMaint
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: SHEMINI (LEVITICUS 9:1-11:47)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant For several weeks and many chapters – the longest prelude in the Torah – we have read of the preparations for the moment at which God would bring His Presence to rest amid the people. Five Torah parshiot (Teruma, Tetzaveh, Ki Tisa, Vayakhel, and Pekudi) all describe the […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: TZAV (LEVITICUS 6:1-8:36)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant The primary theme of last week’s Torah parsha, Vayikra, pertained to the five diverse sacrifices which the Israelites presented at the Sanctuary. On the surface, this week’s parsha, Tzav, appears to be merely an extension of Vayikra, differentiated solely by the focus shifting to the kohanim, who were […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: VAYIKRA (LEVITICUS 1:1-5:26)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Torah parsha, Vayikra, is the first in the Book of Leviticus, known formally as ‘Torat Kohanim’ (Instructions for the Priests) (1). The title, Vayikra, defines the entire Book of Leviticus: “and He called”. We have just completed reading the thrilling and dramatic story of the Book […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: PEKUDEI (EXODUS 38:21-40-38)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant Pekudei is the last chapter in the Book of Exodus. For the fourth time, as in parshiot Tetzaveh, Terumah and Vayakhel, we again read a tedious repetition of the inventory of all the equipment used in the building and decorating of the Sanctuary: “These are the records of […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: VAYAKHEL (EXODUS 35:1 – 38:20)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant Both this week’s Torah reading, Vayakhel, and next week’s reading, Pekudei, are replete with questions and contradictions. The first enigma is the question of why they exist at all. In parshiot Terumah and Tetzaveh, we read descriptions of every one of the Sanctuary’s dozens of components as dictated […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: KI TISA (EXODUS 30:11-34:35)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Torah parsha, Ki Tisa, begins on Mount Sinai, where God is relating to Moses some rather benign instructions pertaining to the final particulars to complete the Holy Sanctuary. It is expected that Moses will remain at the top of the mountain for another forty days. Here, […]
Bissel of Fun Logic Puzzles: March 2025
Welcome to the 2025 Logic Puzzle Contest! Send in your answers to get points. The top three puzzlers at the end of year will get gift cards PLUS ultimate bragging rights. Easy: 10 POINTS Medium: 20 POINTS Hard: 30 POINTS ________________________________________________ March 2025: Easy Level Three people, all of whom are members of Temple Shalom, live in houses on […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: TETZAVEH (EXODUS 27:20-30:10)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant The primary theme of last week’s Torah parsha, Terumah, was the building of the Mishkan (Sanctuary). Each Israelite donated the gold, silver, copper, fabric and all of the other materials required to create a dwelling of splendor, where God would live ‘within its midst’. This week’s Torah parsha, […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: TERUMAH (EXODUS 25:1-27:19)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In last week’s Torah parsha, Mishpatim, Moses provided clarification of the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites by God at Mount Sinai. Additionally, the Children of Israel learned the nature of numerous other laws, commandments, prohibitions and the consequences for disobedience. This week’s Torah parsha, Terumah, begins with […]