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 […]
Posts with the Torah tag
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI (EXODUS 35:1 – 38:20)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week, we read two parshiot: Vayakhel followed by Pekudei. Each of these parshiot are replete with contradictions and multiple interpretations. The first enigma is the question of why they exist at all. In the Torah parshiot Terumah and Tetzaveh, we read descriptions of every one of the […]
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, […]
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 […]