Weekly Torah Lesson – 2 Parasha: K’doshim – Holy OnesTorah: vaYikra 19:1 – 20:27 Leviticus 19:4 Turn you not to idols, nor make to yourselves molten idols: I am Avinu Elohekah. ** Notice that two different types of ‘idols’ are mentioned in the command. What is an idol? Some erroneously teach that an idol is “anything that separates you from Avinu”. Bowling or football might keep you from spending quality time with your family but it certainly doesn’t fit the Scripture’s definition of an … [Read more...] about No Idols
Articles
The Ahazel Goat
Weekly Torah Lesson – 1 Parasha: Acharei Mot After the deathTorah: VaYikra 16:1 – 18:30 Leviticus 16:7 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before Avinu at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 8 And Aharon shall cast lots on the two goats; one lot for Avinu, and the other lot for the ahazel. 9 And Aharon shall bring the goat on which Avinu’s lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the ahazel, shall be presented alive … [Read more...] about The Ahazel Goat
Rosh Chodesh Iyar
At sundown, Friday, 4/24/2020, the month of Aviv comes to its end and Rosh Chodesh Iyar begins. Rosh Chodesh is not a prescribed monthly Shabbat but it is commanded to be “observed”. In 1 Samuel 20, we see that particular Rosh Chodesh was being observed for two days . Some use this recorded biblical event as proof that the current calendar based method of determining the arrival of Rosh Chodesh today was in use earlier than the construction of the first Temple. This two … [Read more...] about Rosh Chodesh Iyar
Gossip’s Consequences
Weekly Torah Lesson Parasha: Metzora "Infected one"Torah: VaYikra 14:1 - 15:33 ** Before we get into the body of this lesson, I want to point out that the ‘metzorah’ has been mis-translated ‘leper’ in many translations of the Scriptures. In fact, the ‘metzorah’ (afflicted one) is showing a physical condition that is called ‘tzaraat’ which is the outward manifestation of a spiritual condition brought on by ‘gossip’. Leprosy is a chronic infection that produces sores on the skin. It is a … [Read more...] about Gossip’s Consequences
Childbirth and Uncleanness
Weekly Torah Lesson Parasha: Tazria she bears seedTorah: vaYikra 12:1 – 13:59 ** At eight verses, I think that this is the shortest chapter in the Torah. Surprisingly it isn’t dealing with ‘sin’ but with a spiritual condition called ‘tamei’ or ‘unclean’. What this means is that a person can become ‘unclean’ without sinning. There are certain events in our lives that make us ‘unclean’. This chapter defines this one event in detail. *** “vaYikra (Leviticus) 12:1 And Avinu spoke to Moshe, … [Read more...] about Childbirth and Uncleanness
Wave Sheaf
“9 And Avinu spoke to Moshe, saying, 10 Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When you come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest: 11 And he shall wave the sheaf before Avinu, to be acceptable for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 And you shall offer that day when you wave the sheaf a he lamb without blemish of the first year for an olah … [Read more...] about Wave Sheaf