West Hawai`i Jewish Congregation
"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 and priestly food. It enumerates the biblical holidays of Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, and includes the "omer offering" – the instruction […]
The next KBS Book Club selection is “Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth” by Noa Tishby. A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A “fascinating and very moving chronological timeline spanning from Biblical times to today that explores one of the most interesting countries in the world—Israel.” (Aaron Sorkin, award-winning screenwriter of The West Wing andThe Social […]
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 the requirement of an infected person to dwell alone outside the camp and be inspected by a priest. Metzora opens by describing the purification process […]
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 fire.” God describes the animals, birds, and fish that are permissible and prohibited for consumption, as well as some laws of ritual purity. We'll read […]
"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 out from here" - Sh'mot/Exodus 13:3 Chag sameach, As we celebrate Passover, the Torah portions this week repeat chapters from Sh'mot/Exodus that tell of the freedom from […]
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 discuss Vayikra/Leviticus 1:1–5:26 on Zoom this Saturday, March 21, starting at 10:00 AM Hawai`i time. No prior knowledge is necessary and we welcome a wide […]
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 people respond. The artisans designated by God begin building the Mishkan and its vessels. Join in on Zoom this Saturday to read and discuss Vayakhel, Sh'mot/Exodus 35:1-38:20, in the KBS Torah […]
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. The Israelites worship the golden calf and Moses breaks the tablets. Moses beseeches God to forgive, and returns with a second set of tablets. Join […]
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 vessels that will fill the Mishkan - including the ark, table, menorah, and sacrificial altar - as well as the Mishkan’s walls and curtains. Join […]
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 year, holidays, and destroying idolatry. The portion ends as Moses ascends Mount Sinai for 40 days. Join in on Zoom this Saturday to read and discuss Mishpatim, Sh'mot/Exodus 21:1-24:18, in the […]
Please email info@konabethshalom.org for Zoom connection details. The discussion will also be live-streamed via the KBS YouTube channel.
"Song of Miriam" - William Gale Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח (“When He Let Go”) describes the splitting of the Red Sea and the song the Israelites sing upon crossing through. In the desert, God sweetens bitter water and provides manna and quail. The portion ends recounting the victory of the Israelites against an attack by the Amalekites. […]
"Vaera" ©Karin Foreman - Gratefully used with permission of the artist Vaera וָאֵרָא(“I Appeared”) opens as God promises to redeem the enslaved Israelites and bring them to the Promised Land. When Pharaoh repeatedly refuses to let the Israelites go, God sends a series of plagues: water turning to blood, frogs, lice, wild animals, death of livestock, […]
The Burning Bush by Mayim Eliana Ebert Shemot שְׁמוֹת (“names”) is the first Torah portion in the Book of Exodus. It describes the bitter enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt; a royal decree that all Hebrew boy babies be killed; how the newborn Moses is rescued in a basket on the Nile, and adopted into […]
Please email info@konabethshalom.org for Zoom connection details. The discussion will also be live-streamed via the KBS YouTube channel.
"Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph" (1656) by Rembrandt Vayechi וַיְחִי (“He Lived”) is the final Torah portion in the Book of Genesis. Jacob prepares for his death, making favorite son Joseph swear to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah. Jacob blesses Joseph’s two sons and his own 12 sons and then dies. Jacob’s […]
The KBS Book Club selection is “Drawing in the Dust,” the debut novel by Rabbi Zoë Klein, hailed as “a richly evocative and boundless love story that reverberates from biblical times to the modern world.” Publisher’s Weekly praises “Drawing in the Dust” for its “balanced, compassionate view of both Israeli and Arab traditions.” Join in […]
Join us on Zoom for the KBS Torah Study. This week's parashah is Vayeishev / וַיֵּשֶׁב (“He settled”), beginning the story of Joseph, describing his rivalry with his brothers, slavery in Egypt, and imprisonment after his master’s wife frames him for refusing her advances. It also includes the story of Tamar, her husbands, and her […]
Join us on Zoom for Torah Study. This week's parashah is Vayeitzei - (“He Went Out”) - in which Jacob sleeps with a rock for his pillow and dreams of angels going up and down a ladder: the original "stairway to heaven." He continues on his journey toward the home of his uncle Laban, […]
Chayei Sarah (“The Life of Sarah”) opens as Sarah dies and Abraham buys the Cave of Machpelah to bury her. Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. The servant meets Rebecca at a well, and Rebecca returns with the servant to marry Isaac. Abraham remarries, has more children, and dies at age […]