Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11 – 34:35) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And God spoke unto Moses: Take unto you sweet spices, stacte , onycha and galbanum , these sweet spices with pure frankincense , all of an equal weight.” (Exodus 30:34) One of the most unique aspects of the Sanctuary, continued …
Parashat Tetzaveh: the Role of the Incense Altar How does the Lower Altar differ from the Higher Altar, and why doesn’t the commandment regarding the Incense Altar appear in its natural place? by Rabbi Baruch Kehat, senior faculty of the Joseph and Gwendolyn Straus Rabbinical Seminary and the Robert M. Beren Machanaim Hesder Yeshiva “There I will …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20 – 30:10) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And you shall command the children of Israel… And you shall bring forth your brother Aaron and his sons together with him… And you shall speak to all of the wise-hearted.” (Exodus 27:20–28:3) Often what you really have is that which …
Always There It feels counter-intuitive, but the twice-daily sacrifices on the Temple altar are a good starting point to connect to God Rabbanit Sally Mayers is the Rosh Midrasha of Midreshet Lindenbaum’s Maria and Joel Finkle Overseas Program Which one verse in the Torah summarizes what Judaism is all about? A midrash quoted in the …
Parashat Terumah: What’s the story? It’s interesting that right after the description of the covenant that Hashem makes with the children of Israel, instead of continuing the story of the Jews’ journey in the desert, the Torah chooses to describe the work done in the Tabernacle. Why? Rabbi Benjy Myers is the educational director of the …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Terumah (Exodus 25:1- 27:19) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “According to the way I show you the pattern of the Sanctuary and the pattern of its vessels, so shall you make them.” (Exodus 25:9) What is the real purpose of the Sanctuary – the forerunner of the Holy Temple – …
Parashat Mishpatim: The Social Message Money per se isn’t bad. It’s a tool and a resource we receive from the God. The real question is what the use of this money does to the person using it. Will that person choose to grow rich at the expense of the needy? Will people amass fortunes by defrauding …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1- 24:18) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “These are the statutes which you must place before them.” (Exodus 21:1) If two religiously observant Jews are engaged in a disagreement which has financial ramifications, are they permitted to go to a secular court to arbitrate their dispute or must …
Parashat Yitro: The Juxtaposition of Amalek and Yitro There are bad things in the world, but there also are things that are very good. Some Jews see the entire non-Jewish world as Amalek, or as something despicable, but those who don’t recognize the righteousness of certain gentiles and the benevolence of world culture are gravely mistaken. …
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