by Joy Scott, Congregant When the eighth and final day of Passover coincides with Shabbat, we read extracts from seven different Parshot of DEUTERONOMY. On the first day of Passover, we revert back from LEVITICUS to the book of EXODUS, and how “on this very day God took the children of Israel out of Egypt” […]
Posts in the A ‘Bissel’ of Torah category:
A weekly dvar Torah from our wonderful Joy Scott.
A Bissel of Torah: Parshat Pesach
by Joy Scott, Congregant 14 NISSAN 5776: 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 […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: 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 portions (TERUMAH, TETZAVEH, KI TISA, VAYAKHEL and PEKUDEI) describe […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah Parashat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)
by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In Torah Parsha, TETZAVEH, we read the intricate details, described by God, to attire Aaron and his sons in an elaborate fashion, with specific emblems on both their arms, and breastplates representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The beginning of this week’s Parsha (KI TISA) continues with directions from God to […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah Parashat Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10)
by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In Torah Parsha, TERUMAH, we read last week how the magnificent ‘MISHKAN’ (Sanctuary), a sacred place, dedicated to God, was constructed. Parshat TETZAVEH begins with instructions to Moses for creation of the final piece, to be placed in the ‘Tent of Meeting’, outside the dividing curtain. “You shall command the children […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah Parashat Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)
by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In last week’s Torah Parsha (MISHPATIM), we were provided with a list of dozens of commandments and prohibitions, as spoken by God to Moses; and, subsequently to the Israelites. This week’s Parsha (TERUMAH) seems, at a first reading, to comprise another detailed list from God to Moses. This time God presents […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)
by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In last week’s Torah Parsha (YITRO), we read about the dramatic event which took place at the bottom of Mount Sinai. Amidst thick clouds of smoke, and the booming sound of the Shofar, the Israelites heard the Words of God, as he presented to them the ‘Ten Commandments’. In this week’s […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah Parashat Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)
by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In last week’s Torah Parsha (BESHLACH), we read about how the Israelites celebrated with song, to express their deep gratitude to God, for delivering them from the enslavement and bondage, which they experienced in Egypt, under the rule of the Pharaoh. At the beginning of this week’s Torah Parsha (YITRO), the […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah Parashat Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17-16)
by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant After the devastation and slaughter of all of the first-born to families in Egypt (God’s tenth and final plague), the Pharaoh finally freed the Jews in Egypt (Parsha ‘BO’). In this week’s Torah Parsha (BESHLACH), ‘The Song of the Sea’, we read about how the Israelites escaped Egypt, and a juxtaposition […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)
by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant Torah Parsha (BO) is a sequel to last week’s Parsha, VA’EIRA, which concluded with the perpetuation of the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt, despite the seven devastating plagues, which God had imposed on the Pharaoh and his people. In BO, God relentlessly exacerbates the essence of His final three plagues. […]