Weekly Torah Reading, Vayyakhel-Pekudei, March 10, 2018

Mirrors of Modesty   This week’s reading recounts in detail how the Israelites carried out God’s commandment to build a tabernacle (mishkan)—the moveable sanctuary that would serve as a kind of temple during their wanderings in the wilderness. The reading …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Ki Tissa, March 3, 2018

Not Speaking with God     The episode of the Golden Calf in this week’s reading is hard to justify. God had just finished telling the Israelites in the Ten Commandments not to make any statues or idols for worship, …

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Weekly Torah Reading Tetsavveh February 24, 2018

Clothes Made the Kohen   This week’s Torah reading describes the special garments to be worn by the kohanim (priests) in the Temple. Those garments were no minor detail. In ancient Israel, clothes made the kohen; he couldn’t serve in …

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Weekly Torah Reading Terumah February 17, 2018

A Garden Built by Humans   This week’s reading contains God’s instructions for the building of the mishkan, the traveling tabernacle (i.e., a big tent) in which the Israelites will offer sacrifices to God. Hardly a detail is left unmentioned. …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Mishpatim, February 10, 2018

Is Abortion Legal?   This week’s reading contains numerous laws governing various aspects of daily life. At first, some of these might seem far removed from our own daily lives. You’re probably not going to sell your daughter into slavery …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Yitro, February 3, 2018

How Much Is Torah Worth?   This week’s reading includes the famous account of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The people of Israel stood at the foot of the mountain as the Ten Commandments were solemnly proclaimed. …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Beshallaḥ, January 27, 2018

“This Is…”   Pharaoh changed his mind about setting the Israelites free. He dispatched his troops to try and catch up with them on their way to the Red Sea. Miraculously, however, the waters of the Red Sea parted at …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Bo’, January 20, 2018

With a Heavy Heart   Among the not-so-brilliant sermons I’ve heard over the years was one about this week’s Torah reading, Bo’. “The Almighty,” the rabbi began, “says to Moses, bo’ el par‘oh, ‘Come to Pharaoh.’ He doesn’t say ‘Go …

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