Kedoshim (Holy People) Vayikra/Leviticus 19:1-20:27

Kedoshim(Holy People)Vayikra/Leviticus 19:1-20:27
Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 20:2-20
 
Today we look at a Torah portion that by most accounts is the most important section of Torah. This Torah portion actually tells us in practical terms what it means to be holy. Our world has improved in many ways since Adam and Eve. Humanity has grown in number. There are many new inventions to make life easier. There are new and easier to use tools that are supposed to help us cope better with the challenges of life. These advances are to make our lives more pleasant and profitable.

Counting the Omer Leviticus 23:1-16

Eighth Day of Passover

Counting the Omer Leviticus 23:1-16

Today we will take a closer look at the period we are now in in G-d’s calendar. We will look at what the counting of the Omer can teach us about our spiritual life.

Tzav (Give an order) Lev.6-8

Torah Portion:  Tzav (Give an Order) Leviticus 6:1-8:36

HafTorah: Jeremiah 7:21-9:24

In our Torah portion today we continue with the instructions to the priests on what to do and how to do it when kindling the fire on the altar and how to prepare the offerings brought by the people to the Mishkan and later to the Temple.  In my last question for this week I asked you to compare Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:28 and II Corinthians 4:7 to see if you could see any connection between the two and any spiritual implications for us today.

Vayak’hel and P’kudei Ex. 35-40

Torah Portion: Vayak’hel (He assembled) and P’kudei (Accounts)

Shemot (Exodus) 35:1-40:38

HafTorah: I Kings 7:40-8:21

New Testament: II Cor. 9:1-15, Hebrews 9:1-14; Revelations 11:1-13; 15:5-8

In Shemot (Exodus) it says, “They shall make me a sanctuary and I shall dwell among them.” This verse is the basis for two names for G-d’s earthly dwelling places. The Hebrew word for dwell is “Shachin,” from this comes the word for Tabernacle or Mishkan. Later the Temple was known as “Beit HaMikdash.” Mikdash is from the root word Chodesh or holy. From it we also get sanctify and sanctity. So these places of G-d can be seen together to show us that G-d sanctifies that which He inhabits. G-d is seen by those who look for Him. To one person a tree is merely a tree – to another it is the handiwork of G-d, depending on the viewer. Our own joys and tragedies can seem quite accidental or they can be seen as    G-d’s hand in our life. How we see it depends on us. Everything in and about our life can reveal G-d if we allow it.