T’rumah: Offering
This week’s Torah Portion describes the instructions for building the Mishkan, or Tabernacle, which will hold the Ark of the Covenant. The Tabernacle becomes the symbol for G~d’s presence among the Israelites.
This Torah Portion also describes the laws governing Shabbat. The people are instructed to bring offerings. Precise instructions are given for the construction of the Tabernacle.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Adar
Adar (אֲדָר) is the twelfth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar. It is a month with 29 days. In years when there is a leap month, it is preceded by Adar I, which has 30 days.
Adar is the happiest month of the Hebrew Calendar because Purim occurs during Adar. Purim is the holiday that commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman, and is recorded in the Book of Esther.
Events in Adar:
1 Adar ~ The ninth plague, the Plague of Darkness is said to have occurred on the land of Israel in 1313 BCE before Pharaoh allowed the Israelites leave the land of Egypt.
1 Adar ~ the death of Rabbi Avraham ben Mier ibn Ezra (b. 1089 ~ 1164).
13 Adar ~ Fast of Esther. The Megillah of Esther is read in synagogue on this date.
14 Adar ~ Purim.
Adar is the happiest month of the Hebrew Calendar because Purim occurs during Adar. Purim is the holiday that commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman, and is recorded in the Book of Esther.
Events in Adar:
1 Adar ~ The ninth plague, the Plague of Darkness is said to have occurred on the land of Israel in 1313 BCE before Pharaoh allowed the Israelites leave the land of Egypt.
1 Adar ~ the death of Rabbi Avraham ben Mier ibn Ezra (b. 1089 ~ 1164).
13 Adar ~ Fast of Esther. The Megillah of Esther is read in synagogue on this date.
14 Adar ~ Purim.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Mishpatim / Exodus 21:1 ~ 24:18
Mispatim: Ordinances. Also known as The Book of the Covenant.
This Torah Portion contains the first body of Laws that are found in Torah. The laws include moral imperatives which set the stage for social standards, as well as outlining civil and criminal statutes and rites of worship. The Parsha begins with the laws governing slaves, who must be offered freedom after seven years. These rules were followed by criminal laws. In Hebraic law, murder, kidnapping and injuring one's parents were all considered capital offenses.
This Parsha also sets out religious festivals and rituals, including Passover, Shavout and Sukkot.
The Parsha ends with Moses repeating the commands to the Israelites, who affirm their loyalty to the covenant. Moses climbs up the mountain to receive the tablets, where he remains hidden in the clouds for 40 days and nights.
This Torah Portion contains the first body of Laws that are found in Torah. The laws include moral imperatives which set the stage for social standards, as well as outlining civil and criminal statutes and rites of worship. The Parsha begins with the laws governing slaves, who must be offered freedom after seven years. These rules were followed by criminal laws. In Hebraic law, murder, kidnapping and injuring one's parents were all considered capital offenses.
This Parsha also sets out religious festivals and rituals, including Passover, Shavout and Sukkot.
The Parsha ends with Moses repeating the commands to the Israelites, who affirm their loyalty to the covenant. Moses climbs up the mountain to receive the tablets, where he remains hidden in the clouds for 40 days and nights.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Yitro / Exodus 18:1 ~ 20:23
Yitro: Jethro
After Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, learned of the flight of the Israelites from Egypt., he brought Moses' wife, Zipporah and their sons to Moses. Moses greeted them and welcomed them into his camp. He recounted the miracles that G~d had performed against Pharaoh to assist the Israelites.
Moses began acting as a judge, working around the clock to resolve issues between his people. Jethro was horrified to see Moses performing this function,fearing that he will tire himself. Jethro organized a hierarchy of judges and named Moses as the Chief Judge. After establishing a judicial system, Jethro returned to his home.
After wandering in the wilderness for three months, the Israelites reached Sinai. G~d offered a special covenant with the Israelites. Moses climbed Mt. Sinai and returned with the tablets of the Ten Commandments
After Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, learned of the flight of the Israelites from Egypt., he brought Moses' wife, Zipporah and their sons to Moses. Moses greeted them and welcomed them into his camp. He recounted the miracles that G~d had performed against Pharaoh to assist the Israelites.
Moses began acting as a judge, working around the clock to resolve issues between his people. Jethro was horrified to see Moses performing this function,fearing that he will tire himself. Jethro organized a hierarchy of judges and named Moses as the Chief Judge. After establishing a judicial system, Jethro returned to his home.
After wandering in the wilderness for three months, the Israelites reached Sinai. G~d offered a special covenant with the Israelites. Moses climbed Mt. Sinai and returned with the tablets of the Ten Commandments
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
B'Shalach / Exodus 13:17 ~ 17:16
B'Shalach: He Sent
This Torah Portion is the story of the Israelites crossing the Sea of Reeds (often depicted as the Red Sea). There are two versions of this event ~ one told in prose (Exodus 14:1 ~ 31) and one in a poem (Exodus 15:1 ~ 22). After crossing the Sea, the Israelites find themselves, not in the Promised Land, but in the heart of the Sinai Peninsula.
Pharaoh agreed to let the Israelites leave Egypt. He then had second thoughts and sent his army after the Israelites. The Egyptians nearly overtook the Israelites at the edge of the Sea. G~d tells Moses to instruct the Israelites to go forward. Moses lifts his rod and the Sea parts, so the people can move through on dry land. When the Egyptians try to follow the Israelites, they are blinded by a pillar of fire. As they move forward, the wheels of their chariots become mired in the mud. G~d then instructs Moses to again lift his rod. When he does this, the sea comes roaring over the Egyptians, drowning them all.
Although the Israelites are joyous at this event, G~d reminds the people that the Egyptians were his creation, too.
The Israelites move into the wilderness and soon begin to complain that there is no water or food. G~d allows Moses a miracle making bitter water turn sweet, until they come to an oasis. The Israelites then complain of hunger. G~d hears their complaints and brings them manna and quail, which fall from the sky, Each day, the Israelites collect enough manna for the day. On the sixth day, they collect a double portion so that they need not collect food for the Sabbath.
The Israelites move toward Massah, where they again complain over the lack of water.
The Torah Portion ends when the evil Amalekites attack. Joshua proves to be a strong military leader in defending against the Amalekite attack.
This Torah Portion is the story of the Israelites crossing the Sea of Reeds (often depicted as the Red Sea). There are two versions of this event ~ one told in prose (Exodus 14:1 ~ 31) and one in a poem (Exodus 15:1 ~ 22). After crossing the Sea, the Israelites find themselves, not in the Promised Land, but in the heart of the Sinai Peninsula.
Pharaoh agreed to let the Israelites leave Egypt. He then had second thoughts and sent his army after the Israelites. The Egyptians nearly overtook the Israelites at the edge of the Sea. G~d tells Moses to instruct the Israelites to go forward. Moses lifts his rod and the Sea parts, so the people can move through on dry land. When the Egyptians try to follow the Israelites, they are blinded by a pillar of fire. As they move forward, the wheels of their chariots become mired in the mud. G~d then instructs Moses to again lift his rod. When he does this, the sea comes roaring over the Egyptians, drowning them all.
Although the Israelites are joyous at this event, G~d reminds the people that the Egyptians were his creation, too.
The Israelites move into the wilderness and soon begin to complain that there is no water or food. G~d allows Moses a miracle making bitter water turn sweet, until they come to an oasis. The Israelites then complain of hunger. G~d hears their complaints and brings them manna and quail, which fall from the sky, Each day, the Israelites collect enough manna for the day. On the sixth day, they collect a double portion so that they need not collect food for the Sabbath.
The Israelites move toward Massah, where they again complain over the lack of water.
The Torah Portion ends when the evil Amalekites attack. Joshua proves to be a strong military leader in defending against the Amalekite attack.
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