Saturday, April 14, 2012

Friday, March 2, 2012

T'tzaveh / Exodus 27:20 ~ 30:10

T'tzaveh: You will Instruct.

This Torah portion picks up where last week's portion left off.  The Torah portion begins with commands about providing olive oil for the lighting in the Ohel Mo'ed, or Tent of Meeting.

The Torah portion then turns the the establishment of the priesthood and its accompanying rituals.  The priesthood flows through Aaron and his sons.   They are provided with special clothing to distinguish them from the other Israelites.  Great detail is given for the attire of the Kohen Gadol, or High Priest.

The Torah portion ends with summary.  After the tents and its furnishings have been completed, the priests were to be consecrated and G~d consecrated the Ohel Mo'ed and the whole establishment would become functional for the Israelites.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

T'rumah / Exodus 25:1 ~ 27:19

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.

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.

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.

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

Wednesday, February 8, 2012