By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah, Congregant This week’s Torah Parsha (EMOR) begins with God saying to Moses: “Speak to the Kohanim; and, say that none of them can become defiled; impure; or, ceremonially unclean; by touching a dead person, unless the one who died is a wife, or a blood relative”(1). The requisite for purity […]
Author: AHWebMaint
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: KEDOSHIM (LEVITICUS 19:1-20:27)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant The second Parsha for this week (KEDOSHIM) begins with the momentous call: “You shall be holy because I, the Lord, your God am holy” (1). This statement is followed by repetition of dozens of ‘Divine’ commandments, which would enable the Israelites to consecrate their holy relationship with God. This […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: ACHEREI MOT (Leviticus 16:1–18:30)
This week, we read two Parshiot, (ACHAREI MOT), followed by Parsha (KEDOSHIM). The primary focus of the first Parsha pertains to the ancient rituals of Yom Kippur, the ‘Day of Atonement’. During the period of MISHNAH (i.e. the first major redaction of the Oral Torah) in the second century, the Jewish calendar was altered, so […]
Jane’s Kitchen: Roasted Chicken with Clementines & Arak
Servings: 4 Recipe Origin: Yotam Ottolenghi, Jerusalem 6 1/2 tablespoons arak, ouzo or Pernod 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice 3 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons grain mustard 3 tablespoons light brown sugar 2 medium fennel bulbs , 1 pound 3 pounds chicken thighs, skin-on, bone-in 4 clementines, […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: TAZRIA-METZORA (LEVITICUS 12:1-15:33)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week, we read a double Parshiot (TAZRIA), followed by Parsha (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 […]
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 in the midst of the people. Five Torah Parshiot (TERUMAH, TETZAVEH, KI TISA, VAYAKHEL, and PEKUDI) […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: PASSSOVER
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant When Passover coincides with Shabbat, we intercept our reading of Leviticus, and return to the portion of EXODUS, to repeat the miraculous story of how our ancestors escaped slavery in Egypt, and became a free nation. We reiterate the tenth and final plague, which God imposed on the Pharaoh […]
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 (VAKIRA) pertained to the five diverse sacrifices, which the Israelites presented at the Sanctuary. On the surface, this week’s Torah Parsha (TZAV) appears to be merely an extension of Parsha (VAKIRA), differentiated solely by the focus shifting to the kohanim, who […]
Jane’s Kitchen: Mock Mock Turtle Soup
Servings: 10 A vegetarian version, of a beef and veal version, of the turtle meat original, that was really popular with the founding fathers dining at the City Tavern in Philadelphia in 1776. 2 teaspoons unsalted butter 12 ounces Plant-based burger (I like Impossible brand) 2/3 cup carrots, chopped 2/3 cup onions, chopped 2/3 cup […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: VAKIRA (LEVITICUS 1:1-5:26)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Torah Parsha (VAKIRA) is the first Parsha in the Book of Leviticus, known formally as ‘Torat Kohanim’ (instructions for the Priests) (1). The title for this Parsha defines the entire Book of Leviticus. We have just completed reading the thrilling and dramatic story of the Book of […]