In this week’s parsha, Parshas Achrei Mos, the Torah tells us about the service, the avodah, which the Kohen Gadol performed on Yom Kippur in Temple times. When the Kohen Gadol (the High Priest) entered into the Kodesh ha’Kodashim, the Holy of Holies, he was to...
Pesach, the festival of redemption and freedom, is upon us. While still in Egypt, the first national mitzvah given to the about-to-be-freed Israelite slaves was the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh - sanctification of the new month. The verse says: הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם, רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים: רִאשׁוֹן הוּא לָכֶם,...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Metzora, we meet the individual who is now officially labeled as a metzora - one afflicted with the spiritual disease of tzaraas, a spiritual disease which manifests with physical symptoms. The metzora is one who spoke lashon harah - slanderous...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Tazria, we meet the metzorah, the individual afflicted with the plague of tzaraas, which can be defined as a spiritual illness with a physical manifestation. The Torah delineates the illness, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the metzorah over the two...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shmini, we read of the laws of permitted and forbidden in regard to kashrus. דַּבְּרוּ אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, לֵאמֹר: זֹאת הַחַיָּה אֲשֶׁר תֹּאכְלוּ, מִכָּל-הַבְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר עַל-הָאָרֶץ, Speak to the Children of Israel, saying: these are the life forms that you...
With the opening of Sefer Vayikra and Parshas Vayikra, we enter into the ancient world of korbanos, sacrificial offerings, in full force. Chazal point out that the same phrase רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ - a pleasing fragrance, is used with regard to korbanos of different value - cattle,...
Erev Shabos Kodesh, Rosh Chodesh Adar II, Parshas Pekudei, Shabos Chazak. The Sages teach (Taanis 29a) משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה, When Adar begins we increase joy. Rashi (ibid) explains that the joy is due to the great miracles that were done for Israel on the days...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayakhel, the Torah tells us that Betzalel, the son of Uri, the son of Chur, from the tribe of Yehudah, was appointed as the master craftsman to oversee the construction of the Mishkan. Along with him was appointed Ohaliav the...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Ki Sisa, we are commanded regarding the keeping, and sanctity, of Shabos kodesh. וְאַתָּה דַּבֵּר אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, לֵאמֹר, אַךְ אֶת-שַׁבְּתֹתַי, תִּשְׁמֹרוּ: כִּי אוֹת הִוא בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם, לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם--לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי ה’ מְקַדִּשְׁכֶם - And you shall speak to the Children of...
In the first two verses of this week’s parsha, Parshas Tetzaveh, the Torah commands us regarding the lighting of the Menorah in the Mishkan. The opening pasuk instructs Moshe as follows: וְאַתָּה תְּצַוֶּה אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְיִקְחוּ אֵלֶיךָ שֶׁמֶן זַיִת זָךְ כָּתִית--לַמָּאוֹר: לְהַעֲלֹת נֵר, תָּמִיד -...