Parashat Emor begins with the special laws that apply to the Kohanim. The commentators noted that the Torah opens this section with a seemingly redundant phrase: “G-d said to Moshe: Speak to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon,...
The Torah in Parashat Kedoshim presents a large number of Misvot, covering a very wide range of topics. This Parasha begins with G-d instructing Moshe to present these commands “El Kol Adat Beneh Yisrael” – “to the entire...
Parashiyot Tazria and Mesora devote a great deal of attention to the laws of Sara’at, a condition that would befall people as a punishment for various sins. Sara’at manifested itself as a discoloration either in a person’s...
Twice during the Seder on Pesah we take a piece of food and dip it into a liquid before eating it. First, after Kiddush, we take the Karpas – a vegetable – and dip it...
One of the sacrifices discussed in Parashat Sav is the Korban Toda, or thanksgiving offering. A person who emerged safely from certain dangerous situations – illness, captivity, desert travel or an overseas trip – was required to bring this...
The Torah in Parashat Vayikra discusses the various kinds of sacrifices, including the sin-offering that one was required to bring after committing certain sins. In introducing this sin-offering, the Torah speaks of “Nefesh Ahat” – literally, “one soul” –...
Upon reading Parashat Vay-akhel, we cannot help but be struck – and perplexed – by the Torah’s ver-bosity. The Torah laboriously repeats all the details regarding the construc-tion of the...
Parashat Ki-Tisa begins with the Misva of “Maha- sit Ha’shekel” – the mandatory half- shekel tax that was imposed upon all members of Beneh Yisrael. The first time this tax was collected, the silver coins were used to make...
On Shabbat Zach- or, we read the final three verses in Para- shat Ki-Teseh which command us to remember the unprovoked attack launched against our ancestors when they left Egypt by the nation of Amalek. This attack oc- curred...
Parashat Teruma begins with the com- mand, “Ve’yikhu Li Teruma,” instructing Beneh Yisrael to do- nate materials for the construction of the Mishkan. Curiously, rather than commanding Beneh Yisrael to “give” or “donate” materials, Hashem commands them to “take...