Weekly Torah Readings, Behukkotai and Be-Har, May 24, 2019

In Israel: Behukkotai: Fortuna   There’s a word that occurs seven times in this week’s reading and nowhere else in the whole Bible. Commentators and translators are thus understandably confused about the precise meaning of the word keri. On largely …

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Weekly Torah Reading, BeHar and Emor, May 18, 2019

In Israel: BeHar Ancient Israel was largely a farming economy. This week’s Torah portion stipulates that every seventh year is to be a “sabbatical” for the land: “You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard” (Lev 25:4). In …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Emor and Kedoshim, May 11, 2019

Weekly Torah Reading (in Israel): Emor, May 11, 2019    (Outside of Israel: Kedoshim. See below)   Why Do We Count the ‘Omer? In this week’s reading, the Torah commands the people of Israel to bring the first sheaf (‘omer) …

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Weekly Torah Readings, (in Israel) Kedoshim, (outside Israel), Aharei Mot May 4, 2019

Weekly Torah Readings, (in Israel) Kedoshim, May 4, 2019  (for outside Israel, Aḥarei Mot, —see below)   Like Yourself   No doubt the most famous verse in this week’s reading, Kedoshim, is Lev 19:18, “You shall love your neighbor like …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Seventh Day of Passover, April 26, 2019

Two Great Songs The reading for the Seventh Day features the Song of the Sea—the song that the Israelites sang after their miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15). Actually, this same song is recited every day as part …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Passover, April 20, 2019

Some Pointers for the Seder   In case you missed these last week, here again are some of my annual tips for the first night of Passover:   Reclining   The whole reason for having a Passover seder is to …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Shabbat ha-Gadol, April 13, 2019

Some Pointers for the Seder Here are some of my annual tips for the first night of Passover:   Reclining   The whole reason for having a Passover seder is to carry out the Torah’s commandment, “And you shall tell …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Tazri‘a, April 6, 2019

The Handoff   In addition to the regular weekly reading (Tazri‘a), this Shabbat includes a special reading, since it is Shabbat ha-Ḥodesh, the Shabbat that falls before or on the first day of the month of Nisan. The special reading …

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