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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …