Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And God spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they came near before the Lord and died.” (Leviticus 16:1) Which is the greater evil in God’s eyes – hot sins of passion or …
Shabbat Shalom: Last Day(s) of Pesach By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “The Lord will do battle for you and you shall be silent” (Exodus 14:14) The last day of the festival of Passover is dedicated to the splitting of the Reed’s Sea, one of the most dramatic and cataclysmic events in Biblical history. …
Shabbat Shalom: Pesach By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – On Seder night, we are commanded to tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The Mishna tells us that the retelling should be done in response to questions posed by the children. If they have no questions, we teach them the four questions, which …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – The Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron saying,“When you come into the Land of Canaan which I give to you as an inheritance and I shall give you the plague of leprosy in the houses of the land of your inheritance.” …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Tazria (Leviticus 12:1-13:59) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “If a woman has conceived seed and born a male child: then she shall be unclean for seven days; as in the days of her menstrual sickness shall she be unclean.” (Leviticus 12:2) One of the greatest miracles of life is that …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And Nadav and Avihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, placed fire on it, and laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire which He had not commanded them. And there came forth fire from before God, and it devoured them, …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Tzav (Leviticus 6:1- 8:36) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And the Lord spoke to Moses saying: ‘Command Aaron and his sons, saying, this is the law of the burnt offering…’” (Leviticus 6:1–2) When first encountering the concept of animal sacrifices in the book of Leviticus, we explored in depth the …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1- 5:26) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel –“Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them: When any person of you brings an offering unto God, you shall bring from the cattle, the herd or the flock “ (Leviticus 1:2) The book of Leviticus continues where the book of …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Pekudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel –“And he set the laver between the Tent of the Meeting and the altar, and put water there for washing. And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet… “ (Exodus 40:30–31) Before the priests would enter the Tent …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1- 38:20) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And Moses assembled all of the congregation of the children of Israel and said unto them: …Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day shall be for you, a day of complete rest for the Lord. “ (Exodus 35:1–2) The portion of …
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 …
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 …
