Study

"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 […]