Study

Mishpatim/מִּשְׁפָּטִי (“Laws”) recounts a series of God’s laws that Moses gives to the Israelites. These include laws about treatment of slaves, damages, loans, returning lost property, the Sabbath, the sabbatical […]

Terumah תְּרוּמָה(“Donation”) opens as God tells Moses to collect donated materials in order to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan (Tabernacle). God describes how to build the […]

Ki-Tisa ( כִּי תִשָּׂא“When You Elevate”) opens as God tells Moses to collect a half-shekel donation from all Israelites and to anoint the Mishkan (Tabernacle), its vessels, and the priests. […]

In this week's parashah, Vayakhel וַיַּקְהֵל (“He Assembled”), God commands the Israelites to observe the Sabbath. Moses asks for material donations for the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), and the […]

We begin the third book of the Torah this week, in which the Israelites receive instructions for various sacrifices and offerings to be made in the Tabernacle. We'll read and […]

"And Moses said to the people, “Remember this day on which you went out of Egypt, from the house of slaves, for by strength of hand the LORD brought you […]

Shemini (“Eighth”), Leviticus 9:1-11:47, opens with the consecration of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Two of Aaron’s sons are consumed by a fire sent from God when they attempt to offer a “strange […]

Tazria (“She Bears Seed”) Vayikra/Leviticus 12:1-15:33,  opens by describing the purification process for a woman after childbirth. It then describes different forms of tzaraat, a discoloration condition on skin or clothing, and […]

"Bringing the Omer to the Kohein" by Ahuva Klein (Israel) Emor / אֱמֹר ("say") Vayikra/Leviticus 21:1-24:23, opens with laws regulating priestly behavior, working in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), and consuming sacrifices […]

Behar/בְּהַר (“On The Mountain”) Vayikra/Leviticus 25:1-27:34 details the laws of the sabbatical year (Shemita), when working the land is prohibited and debts are forgiven. It also sets out laws of indentured servitude and […]

Bamidbar בְּמִדְבַּר (“In The Desert”) Numbers 1:1-4:20 is the first Torah portion in the Book of Numbers. It describes God's command to take a census and details the camping formation of the Israelites in […]

"The Priestly Blessing" by Carmi Plaut Naso  נָשֹׂא (“Take A Census”), Bamidbar/Numbers 4:21-7:89 , the longest portion in the Torah, opens by detailing responsibilities of the Levites. It also describes laws […]

Beha’alotcha -בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ (“When You Raise”) Numbers 8:1-12:16 opens with God instructing Moses to inaugurate the Levites for service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). It also recounts the stories of people who request a second […]

"The Grapes of Canaan" - James Tissot (c.1896) Sh'lach שְׁלַח (“Send”) Bamidbar/Numbers 13:1- 15:41 tells of the Israelite spies sent into Canaan, the negative report they bring back, and the […]

Parashat Korach (קֹרַח) Bamidbar/Numbers 16:1-18:32 recounts the rebellion of Korach (a cousin of Moses and Aaron), Dathan, Abiram, and 250 of their followers. Some rebels are swallowed by the ground, while others […]