Acharei Mot (After the death) & Kedoshim (Holy) (Leviticus) Vayikra 16-20
Torah Portion: Acharei Mot (After the death) & Kedoshim (Holy) (Leviticus) Vayikra 16-20
Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 22:1-19 & 20:2-20
Tonight we read two Torah Sections again. These sections cover the laws governing Yom Kippur, the commandments dealing with inter-personal relationships, sexual sins and other issues that have to do with leading a holy life in our world today. Often we read these words and have difficulty seeing a connection to our life today in our modern enlightened society. I pray by the end of tonight we will be able to grasp what these two portions say to us personally.
Tazria (Conceived) and Metzora (Leper) (Leviticus) Vayikra 12-15
Torah Portion: Tazria (Conceived) and Metzora (Leper) (Leviticus) Vayikra 12-15
Haftorah Reading: II Kings 4:42-5:19 and II Kings 7:3-20
Tonight we read two Torah Portions concerning clean and unclean items and people. Remember, this condition of being unclean does not necessarily mean sin has occurred. Usually it is a result of just living in the world or natural bodily functions such as we see here tonight.
However, as with leprosy it can be brought on by the sin of “lashon harah” or an evil tongue. This is related to gossip or talking badly about someone or in some cases about something. The most obvious example is the case of Miriam, the sister of Moshe. We read about this in Numbers/B’Midbar 12:1-10. When we read these verses we read where Aaron and Miriam were talking about Moshe marrying a Cusite woman. G-d judged Miriam by causing her to have leprosy. Scripture says she became white as snow and was restored only when Moshe prayed for her. We also see where this condition was looked on as if she was dead.
Shemini (Eighth) Leviticus Vayikra 9-11
Torah Portion: Shemini (Eighth) (Leviticus) Vayikra 9-11
Haftorah Reading: II Samuel 6:1-7:17
Tonight we read the Torah portion that is dedicated to the consecration of the Mishkan or Tabernacle. In the last weeks we have read seven Torah portions covering the details of the building and dedicating of the Mishkan and now in this portion we read about the first public use of the “House of G-d.” We read where the fire fell and the people shouted out when the glory of G-d appeared.
Chol Hamoed Days of Passover
Chol Hamoed Intermediate Days of Passover
Tonight there is no Torah portion read. We are in the Chol HaMoed days of Passover, which means the intermediate days. Two biblical holidays have intermediate days. Passover is one. What is the other? The answer is Sukkot. Both of these holidays extend for a full week. So tonight we are in the Shabbath of the intermediate days of Passover.
Tzav (Command) Leviticus (Vayikra 6-8
Torah Portion: Tzav (Command) (Leviticus) Vayikra 6-8
Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 7:21-9:24
Tonight we read the Torah portion Tzav or Command. This Torah portion continues with the details of sacrifice and ends with the setting apart of Aaron and his sons for their ministry in the Mishkan.
Vayikra (And He Called) Lev. 1-5
Torah Portion: Vayikra (And He Called) (Leviticus) Vayikra 1-5
Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 43:21-44:23
This Torah portion is the first of the third book of the Torah. “Vayikra” translated to English is “And He Called.” This term is usually seen as a term of endearment. This term is frequently followed by a mission or task that only that person can do. Another example in the Prophets is the book of Samuel where the exact same words are used when G-d calls Samuel. (I Samuel 3:8)
Ki Tisa (When You Take) Exodus Sh’mot 30-34
Tetzaveh (You Shall Command) Sh’mot/Exodus 27-30
Torah Portion: Tetzaveh (You Shall Command) Sh’mot Exodus 27-30
HafTorah: Ezekiel 43:10-27
This week our Torah portion is Tetzaveh and it covers the clothing worn by the priests as they carried out their duties before the L-rd in the Mishkan and ends with the Incense Altar, its construction, and how to do the burning of incense on the altar.
T’rumah (Donation) Sh’mot Exodus 25-27
Torah Portion: T’rumah (Donation) Sh’mot Exodus 25-27
HafTorah: I Kings 5:26-6:13
This week we read the Torah section named T’rumah or donations in English. This portion begins with the instructions for gathering the materials and building the Mishkan/Tabernacle in the wilderness. An interesting fact, in the book of Sh’mot/Exodus 40 % of the book is talking about this process and the end results. That gives us some idea of the importance of what we read when we study the Mishkan.
Mishpatim (Judgments) Sh’mot Exodus 21-24
Torah Portion: Mishpatim (Judgments) Sh’mot Exodus 21-24
HafTorah: Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26
Tonight we read the Torah portion Mishpatim or Judgments. This portion follows immediately after the giving of the Ten Commandments in last weeks Torah reading. The Jewish people had been in Egypt for hundreds of years, most of that time serving as slaves to the country of Egypt. They had little or no experience living as a free people, a people that had to deal with how to live as a free society. Here in this portion we read the beginning of G-d’s instructions on how a society should operate.