The Splitting of the Red Sea

The Splitting of the Red Sea

Shabbat Shalom! This week, we pause from the regular Torah cycle to reflect (a few days early) on the seventh day of Passover, a day dedicated to one of the most awe-inspiring moments in our history—the splitting of the sea. Why is this miracle given an entire holiday...
Tzav | Leviticus 6:1 – 8:26

Tzav | Leviticus 6:1 – 8:26

Shabbat Shalom  Portion Tzav describes the sacrifices performed in the Tabernacle. Shmuel connects this portion to Psalm 107, a psalm of thanksgiving. As Shmuel said, this Psalm is essentially “…recognition of the fact that God is good”. Thankfulness, matzah, and...
Vayikra| Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26

Vayikra| Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26

https://youtu.be/6AAXD5r83Io Shabbat Shalom  Much of the Torah is about sacrificing animals, and this is especially obvious in the book of Leviticus. In times with no Temple, one must ask: what is the essence of sacrificing animals? One opinion is that the sacrificial...
Vayakhel-Pikudei | Exodus 35:1- 40:38

Vayakhel-Pikudei | Exodus 35:1- 40:38

Shabbat Shalom  Parashat Vayakhel discusses the unity of the Jewish people. The “togetherness” of the Jewish community has preserved it across the centuries. In Bowling Alone, Robert D. Putnam, writes that American society today is less social than in previous years....
Ki Tisa | Exodus 30:11 – 34:35

Ki Tisa | Exodus 30:11 – 34:35

Shabbat Shalom  Let’s talk about Shabbat! Did you know that the building of the Tabernacle influenced the laws of Shabbat?  It’s true! There are 39 prohibited acts of work on the Sabbath and many of these laws came from the instructions to build the Tabernacle. God...