Weekly Torah Reading, Vayyakhel-Pekudei, March 18, 2023

Exodus 35:1-40:38 The Message in Repetition   In general, rabbinic interpreters (and some of their predecessors) shied away from acknowledging repetition in the biblical text. “Every word counts” meant that no verse, or even some part of a verse, could …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Ki Tissa, March 11, 2023

Exodus 30:11-35:1   Hur Explained   Moses was on Mt. Sinai for forty days and forty nights, during which time God revealed to him the various laws and regulations to be included in the Torah. But as this period dragged …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Book of Esther, Purim and Shushan Purim, March 7-8, 2023

  When Kings Go Bad   It’s easy to identify the Persian king’s problem: he’s an alcoholic.    When we first see him he is presiding over a huge banquet celebrating the third year of his ascension to the throne. …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Terumah, February 25, 2023 Exodus 25:1-27:19

Exodus 25:1-27:19   By Human Hands   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. An obvious question arises: Why …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Mishpatim, February 18, 2023

  Exodus 21:1-24:18   A One-Man Court   Anyone who witnessed the mass protest in Jerusalem this week could not but be impressed. An estimated 100,000 people turned out to express their opposition to the Netanyahu government’s plan to fundamentally …

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A One-Man Court

Exodus 21:1-24:18   A One-Man Court   Anyone who witnessed the mass protest in Jerusalem this week could not but be impressed. An estimated 100,000 people turned out to express their opposition to the Netanyahu government’s plan to fundamentally change …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Yitro, February 11, 2022

Exodus 18:1-20:23 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 …

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Exodus 13:17-17:16 “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 …

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