Hi, “Animal sacrifices”? They’re pretty prominent in the Book of Leviticus. The same Book that taught the world many of its greatest moral values! … It’s hard for us to relate to the idea of sacrifices. It brings images to our mind. Like the pagan idea of sacrifices. Bringing sacrifices was pretty compelling to them. […]

Hi, We’re ready to leave the Book of Exodus. And start Leviticus.  In Hebrew, Vayikra. It’s called Vayikra because of the first word. Vayikra.  “And G-d called to Moshe… (Leviticus, 1:1) … Before we get to the details of the Book? Here’s something small.  With a huge lesson. If you would look at a Torah […]

Hi, One more thing before we leave the Golden Calf. This story goes back 3300 years ago. Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the Tablets. The Ten Commandments. He saw the Golden Calf.  And smashed the Tablets. The date? Seventeenth day in the Jewish month of Tamuz. According to Jewish tradition, that day was […]

Hi, Here’s one of my favorites about Shabbat. “The Children of Israel shall observe the Sabbath… between Me and them it’s a sign forever”.  (Exodus, 31:16-17) The Torah calls Shabbat a sign. … Think of a large business.  It’s been around for many years. Very successful. But the old generation is gone.  And it’s handed […]

Hi, I assume that by now you have heard of the suicide bombing in Netanya. It’s very sad when we find ourselves saying, “Thank G-d, only two people killed”. But we do need to say it. … I wanted to share two experiences that I had today. This morning at synagogue, I noticed an elderly […]

Hi, The last Torah Minute was not totally accurate! I kept talking about the Jewish People making and worshipping a golden calf. Well, that needs to be qualified. Part of the Jewish People did. Which part? The Talmud makes it very clear.  And a careful reading of the text supports it. (Exodus, 32:1-3) It was […]

Hi, Only in the Torah! I’m referring to what happens just forty days after the Revelation at Mount Sinai. You may remember the scene in the movie, “The Ten Commandments”. (But don’t forget, the Book is better than the movie!) Moshe comes down from the mountain holding the Tablets.  The Ten Commandments. And what does […]

Hi, Here’s a follow up to the last Torah Minute. We saw how we can get involved in something really important? And lose sight of why we’re doing it. … It’s something that can happen to each and every one of us. Because there’s something we all get very “into”. And even if I don’t […]

Hi, The Temple in the desert was built with donations. Voluntary donations.  No pressure. And no mandatory “building fund”! The response was amazing.  The whole nation mobilized. Men and women brought gold, silver and other materials. … And then something amazing happened. And you may want to sit down for this! … There was too […]

Hi, The Jews were traveling through the desert. (I got the spelling right this time!) So the Temple was portable. And all the utensils had carrying poles. It was very practical.  Need to move on? You insert the poles and transport them … But when it comes to the Ark? Something very interesting. “The poles […]