Parshat Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1 – 20:27) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “Speak to the entire congregation of the People of Israel and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2) What does it mean to be holy? In our generation, the emotionally-charged observance of …
Parshat Tazria-Metzora (Leviticus 12:1 – 15:33) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (Leviticus 12:3) The mitzva of circumcision in the portion of Tazria appears in the midst of the discussion of the impure and pure periods immediately following childbirth. Furthermore, our Sages …
Parshat Shemini (Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed (the two sons of Aaron) and they died before the Lord” (Leviticus 10:2) the celebration of the dedication of the Sanctuary . Aaron’s greatest triumphs turned tragedy. And one of the deepest …
This week’s parsha commentary has been dedicated in loving memory of Faye Manger, z”l,beloved wife of Ben Manger z”l,mother of Renee, Marc, Joyce and Steven, z”l. Faye was a lifelong Zionist and an active member of the Jewish community Last Days of Pesach By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “You shall observe the month of the springtime and perform the …
Parshat Tzav-Shabbat Hagadol (Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “Behold, I send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And he [Elijah] will turn [back to God] the hearts of the parents through their children and the hearts of the children through …
Read more“Shabbat Shalom” – Parshat Tzav-Shabbat Hagadol 5781
Parshat Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “If the entire congregation of Israel commits an inadvertent violation as a result of (a mistaken legal decision of the Highest Court)….and they thereby violate one of the prohibitory commandments of God, they shall incur guilt” (Lev. 4:13) If the Jewish state …
This week’s parsha has been dedicated in honor of the third yahrzeit of Marvin Wolfe, משה אליה בן שאול ז”ל loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather by Howard Wolfe and family Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei (Exodus 35:1 – 38:20) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And he erected the courtyard around the sanctuary and the altar, set up the …
This week’s parsha has been dedicated by Eric Jankelovits in memory of Erna Jankelovits, רחל בת אריה ז״ל an אשת חייל and a wonderful loving mother Parshat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11 – 34:35) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “Lord, Lord a God of Compassion…” (Exodus 34:6) It is difficult to imagine the profound disappointment and …
Shabbat Shalom: Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20 – 30:10) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel — “Make a forehead-plate of pure gold, and engrave on it…’Holy to God’. Attach a twist of sky-blue wool to it” (Exodus 28:36-37) This week’s portion of Tetzaveh, wherein Moses’ name is not mentioned even once, exclusively …
Shabbat Shalom: Terumah (Exodus 25:1- 27:19) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel –– “They shall make an ark of acacia trees. Overlay it with pure gold— outside and inside—and you shall make upon it a gold crown all around. Cast for it four gold rings and place them on its four …
Shabbat Shalom: Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1- 24:18) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel –– “When [Hebrew: ‘im’] you lend money to My people, to the poor person with you, you shall not behave toward him as a lender; you shall not impose interest upon him.” (Ex. 22:24) How can we ensure that Jewish ideals—such …
This week’s column has been sponsored in honor of Ellie Yona Charif’s first birthday on 23 Shevatby the Charif family in Sydney, Australia Shabbat Shalom: Yitro (Exodus 18:1 – 20:23) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel –– “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shall you …
