Weekly Torah Reading, BeHa’alotekha and Naso, June 6, 2020

Torah Reading Inside Israel: Weekly Torah Reading, Beha‘alotekha, June 6, 2020 Numbers 8:1-12:16   The Good Old Days   In the book of Ecclesiastes, the author advises, “Don’t say, ‘How has it come about that things were better in earlier …

Read More »

Weekly Torah Reading, Shavu‘ot, May 29, 2020

The Torah by Word of Mouth    The festival of Shavu‘ot, which starts tonight, commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It is marked with special celebrations and readings in synagogue, and many Jews stay up all night …

Read More »

Weekly Torah Reading, BeMidbar, May 23, 2020

Numbers, 1:1-4:20   Don’t Look!   This week’s Torah reading begins with a detailed census of Israel’s tribes. However, the Levites are not included in the census; they are listed separately afterwards.   The Torah says that there were three …

Read More »

Weekly Torah Reading, Behar-Behukkotai, May 15, 2020

Leviticus 25:1-27:34 Very Very!   The second part of this week’s double reading, the portion Behukkotai, contains of a long list of misfortunes that will befall the people of Israel if they fail to keep God’s commandments. These punishments—including various …

Read More »

Weekly Torah Reading, Emor, May 7, 2020

Leviticus chapters 21 through 24   Down for the Count   In this week’s reading, the Torah commands the people of Israel to bring the first sheaf (‘omer) of the new grain harvest to the Temple. This is to be …

Read More »

Weekly Torah Reading, Aḥarei Mot-Kedoshim, May 2, 2020

Leviticus 16:1-20:27 Two Sanctuaries   The very beginning of the reading for this Shabbat ought to appear somewhat surprising. Following the death of Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu, in the wilderness sanctuary (mishkan), God says to Moses: “Tell your …

Read More »

Weekly Torah Reading, Tazria‘-Metzora‘, April 24, 2020 Leviticus 12:1-15:33   Why These Two Readings?   Last week’s reading, Shemini, began with the death of Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu. They obviously did something wrong in what was to be …

Read More »

Weekly Torah Reading, Shemini, April 18, 2020

Leviticus 9:1 to 11:47   Rules Don’t Apply   In this week’s reading, Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu, are suddenly struck dead—on the very day that the people of Israel were to celebrate the start of regular worship in …

Read More »