Vayakhel (Gathered) – Exodus 35:1 – 38:20
A simple structure constructed of volunteered items easily found in ordinary households, the Tabernacle represents the very essence of human freedom and equality.
Shabbat Shalom
Vayikra (And He [God] Called) – Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26
Leviticus is dedicated primarily to instructing us in the various sacrifices that are brought in the Tabernacle and, later on, in the Temple, as well as other instructions pertaining to the work of the priests and the Levites.
Tazria (Conceived Seed) – Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59
When seen from this perspective, the rules of purity and impurity contained in this portion enable us to deepen our understanding of the overwhelming power of life and the overarching value that the Bible ascribes to it. Life is from God. Life is pure.
Passover – The Exodus From Egypt
There is no way that the Children of Israel knew as they stood on the banks of the Red Sea, what effect this miracle would have on the surrounding nations. And, of course, in ancient times, news would not travel that fast in any case – it would be months before news reached Moab, Philistia, and Canaan.
Matot (Tribes) Numbers 30:2 – 32:42
Moses then reminds them of the sin of the spies who had returned from the Land of Israel and spoke ill of the land, causing the people to doubt the success of their imminent entry. God's response, of course, was to punish the people and delay the entry for an additional 38 years. Moses fears that if Reuben and Gad remain in the land east of the Jordan, the rest of the people will refuse to enter. After years of experience with the Children of Israel, Moses is quite aware that the littlest provocation can instill fear and lack of faith in the people.
Behukotai (My Statutes) – Leviticus 26:3 – 27:34
For centuries, anti-Semitism was fueled by a belief that G-d had abandoned His people, that the promises that had been listed specifically in the Bible for the Jewish people were no longer relevant. Medieval Christian theologies were based on this premise. But it is the clear statement in verse 44 that belies this idea, for G-d explicitly states that, despite exile and deserved punishment, G-d will never break His covenant with us.
Behar (At The Mountain) – Leviticus 25:1 – 26:2
The Sabbath reminds us that G-d created the world and we are commanded to rest one day each week, to stop our activities of work and creation and devote ourselves to spiritual pursuits. The land does the same in the seventh year and reverts to its original owner in the 50th year, after seven Sabbatical cycles.
Kedoshim Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27
We can aspire to holiness! You shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy. (Leviticus...
Acharei – Mot ( After the Death) Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30
Biblical Values keep our Families StrongChapter 18 of Leviticus is seemingly a list of dos and...
Pikudei – Exodus 38:21 – 40:38
Twice, Scripture tells us that the glory of God has filled the Tabernacle, which, in essence is what the Tabernacle was for. When God first instructed Moses on this issue, He said: “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst” (Exodus 25:8). Clearly, in having His glory fill the Tabernacle, He is dwelling among His people.