by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant Last week’s Torah Parsha (BECHUKOTAI) was the final portion in the Book of LEVITICUS. The entire Book of LEVITICUS provided us with dozens of commandments, directives, and sins; with corresponding punishments if any of God’s laws were disobeyed. Parsha (BECHUKOTAI) was particularly harsh, in the terror and curses, which […]
Posts in the A ‘Bissel’ of Torah category:
A weekly dvar Torah from our wonderful Joy Scott.
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: BECHUKOTAI (LEVITICUS 26:3-27:34)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Parsha (BECHUKOTAI) sets out with stunning clarity the terms of Jewish life under the covenant. In the first part, there is an idyllic picture of the blessing of Divine favor. If Israel follows God’s decrees and keeps his commandments, there will be rain; the earth will yield […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: BEHAR (LEVITICUS 25.1-26.2)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In the Book of EXODUS, we read how God miraculously overcame all obstacles to finally liberate the Israelites from over 400 years of slavery and bondage, in Egypt. The primary focus of the Book of LEVITICUS (which follows the Book of EXODUS) is to create a civilized society […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: KEDOSHIM (LEVITICUS 19:1-20:27)
In last week’s Torah Parsha (ACHAREI MOT), we read about how, as a community, we atone for an enumeration of sins and Transgressions, during the Yom Kippur service. This week’s Parsha (KEDOSHIM) begins with the Lord speaking to Moses: “Bring the entire congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them, you shall be […]
A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: ACHAREI MOT (LEVITICUS 16:1-18:30)
by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant For the last two weeks of Shabbat, we interrupted our Torah reading of LEVITICUS, first to repeat specific chapters of EXODUS, for the first two days of Passover; and, subsequently to read several portions of DEUTERONOMY for the eighth and final day of Passover. This week, we return […]
A Bissel of Torah Pesach
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” […]
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 […]