In this week’s parsha, Parshas Tazria, we are introduced to the Biblical illness known as Tzara’as. This condition has no translation into English (it is not leprosy) for it was not a physical illness, such as a bacteria or virus, as we know illnesses today. ...
This Shabbos, Shabbos Parshas Shemini, is also Shabbos mevorchim Chodesh Nissan, the first month of the year (Shemos 12:2 with Rashi). Nissan is the month of geulas Mitzrayim, the month of the miraculous redemption from Egypt, which we commemorate, relive and reenact each year on...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Tzav, the Torah continues to instruct us regarding the role of the kohanim in the Mishkan, as well as the avodas korbanos (sacrificial rites and services) that they perform. There are further halachos delineated regarding korbanos (such as pigul -...
The Shabbos before Purim is known as Shabbos Parshas Zachor, and before we celebrate the miraculous redemption and salvation of Purim, we remember Haman m’zerah Amalek, and what he planned to do to Am Yisrael. To fulfill the mitzvah d’Oraisa of Zachor, we will all...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Pekudei, an accounting is given of all the materials collected for the Mishkan. Hashem commands Moshe regarding the ha’kamas ha”Mishkan, which is to take place on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, in the second year from the Exodus from Egypt. The Torah...
This Shabbos, Parshas Vayakhel, Mevorchim Chodesh Adar, we will lein from a second sefer Torah in honor of Parshas Shekalim. This special Torah reading (Shemos 30:11-16) is the first of four special Shabbasos that lead up to Chag Ha’Pesach. Before Purim, we read Shekalim and...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Ki Tisa, opens with further instructions and details regarding the building of the Mishkan. We learn of the machatzis ha’shekel (which is also read before Purim, for Parshas Shekalim), the spices for the anointing oil, the eleven spice mixture of the...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Tetzaveh, the Torah commands us regarding the bigdei kehunah, the special priestly vestments worn by the kohanim as they served in the Mishkan/Mikdash. The Kohen Gadol (Aharon ha’Kohen) wore eight special garments and the kohen hed’yot (Aharon's sons) wore four...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Terumah, the Torah introduces us to the Mishkan. The journey from slavery to freedom occurs in the book of Shemos - also known as Sefer ha’Geula (the book of Redemption) in three main stages: physical freedom (Shemos, Va’era, Bo, Beshalach),...
In this week’s parsha, Mishpatim, the narrative of Matan Torah continues. Whereas Parshas Yisro delineates the astonishing, awe-inspiring and impactful method by which the Torah was given - thunder, lightning, the continuous blast of the shofar growing ever stronger, the mountain itself was shaking, the...