Emor (Say) – Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23
Death plays an important role, as this week’s Torah portion coincides with Israel’s Memorial Day, Independence Day, and the memorial for Shmuel’s late father.
Kedoshim (Holy) – Leviticus 16:1 – 20:27
Shabbat Shalom! This week’s Torah portion Kedoshim opens with a powerful statement: Be holy as I am holy. But what is holiness?
Achrei Mot (After the Death) Leviticus 16:1-18-3
Shabbat Shalom! This week we’re sharing an Orthodox Jewish commentary on the traditional reading of Song of Songs during Passover with Sondra Oster Baras.
Pesach (Passover)
Shabbat Shalom! This week we’re sharing an Orthodox Jewish commentary on the traditional reading of Song of Songs during Passover with Sondra Oster Baras.
Mezora (Leper) – Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33
This week’s Torah portion, Mezora talks about disease! But what exactly is this disease, often translated as “leprosy”?
Tazria (Conceived seed) – Leviticus 12:1-13:59
This week we read portion Tazria, but Shmuel is already looking ahead to next week’s portion, Mezora which deals with the topic of leprosy. Could leprosy be a tool to help the affected person?
Shmini (Eighth) – Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47
In this week’s video Shmuel discusses the foundation for the laws of kosher food, as well as his personal adventures of keeping kosher as a world traveler.
Tzav (And He Commanded Moses) – Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36
Portion Tzav describes the sacrifices performed in the Tabernacle. Shmuel connects this portion to Psalm 107, A psalm of thanksgiving.
Pikudei (And He (Moses) Gathered/Accounts) Exodus 35:1 – 40:38
The book of Shemot (Exodus) ends with the portion Pikudei. In this portion, the Shekhinah- the Divine Presence, finally arrives at long last. Why did it take so long?