And He called to Moshe

(Leviticus 1:1)

Nisan 4, 5777/March 31, 2017

"Vayikra el Moshe - And He called to Moses" - this is how the book of Leviticus opens. Who called to Moshe, and where? This we learn as the verse continues, "and HaShem spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying... " Twice before G-d prefaced His words to Moshe with a call for his attention. Once was at the burning bush, and once was after Israel had encamped at Sinai. Wanting to inform Moshe as to what was about to occur, G-d called him and invited him to ascend the Mount so that he could coordinate with Moshe what would happen next. Each of these three "vayikra" moments preceded what would be life-changing paradigm shifts for Israel and for the world at large. Each time G-d first consulted, one-to-one, with Moshe.

Salt of the Covenant

Every Friday night at the Sabbath table, we salt the Sabbath bread as a remembrance of the Temple's ritual of salting the sacrifices. What does the salt symbolize?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayikra (ויקרא | And he called)

Torah: Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23

Gospel: Mark 7:1-30

The cloud of HaShem was upon the Mishkan

(Exodus 40:38)

Adar 26, 5777/March 24, 2017

With the reading of the double Torah portion of Vayak'hel-Pekudei this Shabbat, we bring the book of Exodus to a close. But the conclusion of the book of Exodus doesn't simply mark yet another chapter in the annals of man's relationship with G-d. It marks a whole new beginning. Or more precisely, it marks a whole new end of the beginning, a whole new end of "In the beginning... "

The 'Church' at Mount Sinai

We often see pictures of Jesus in church, but in reality, Jesus himself never set foot in a church. He attended synagogue services, and He assembled along with all Israel at the Temple, but He did not go to church because there was no such thing.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayakhel-Pekudei (ויקהל/פקודי | He gathered/Countings)

Torah: Exodus 35:1-40:38

Haftarah: 1 Kings 7:40-50 *

Gospel: Mark 6:14-29/John 6:1-71

* Special readings for Shabbat HaChodesh are applicable this Shabbat.

Shabbat HaChodesh (החדש | The Month)

* Maftir: Exodus 12:1-20

* Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

The Man Moshe

(Exodus 32:1)

Adar 19, 5777/March 17, 2017

The children of Israel were right to be concerned when "the man Moshe" (Exodus 32:1) appeared to be lingering more than anticipated on Mount Sinai. The man who had stood up to Pharaoh, led Israel out of Egypt, shepherded them across the Sea of Reeds, brought them to Mount Sinai where they experienced a direct confrontation with G-d, and lived to tell the tale, was now gone. Thirty nine days earlier he stepped into the fire and smoke at the top of Mount Sinai and never reemerged.

People are not Numbers

If we want to see the world with God’s eyes, we need to learn to see people as individuals. Each one is precious; each one possesses a unique soul of inestimable value.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Ki Tisa (כי תשא | When you take)

Torah: Exodus 30:11-34:35

Haftarah: 1 Kings 18:1-39

Gospel: Matthew 9:35-11:1

* Special readings for Shabbat Parah are applicable this Shabbat.

Shabbat Parah (פרה | Cow)

* Maftir: Numbers 19:1-19:22

* Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16-36:38

Bring near to yourself your brother Aharon

(Exodus 28:1)

Adar 12, 5777/March 10, 2017

"And you bring near to yourself your brother Aharon, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel to serve Me [as kohanim]: Aharon, Nadav, and Avihu, Eleazar, and Itamar, Aharon's sons. You shall make holy garments for your brother Aharon, for honor and glory." (Exodus 28:1-2)

We all know that the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) fulfills the most central and important task in the Holy Temple, the place where G-d has chosen to rest His presence among His children here on earth. But the ability of the Kohen Gadol to successfully perform his role before G-d depends entirely upon the two prerequsites listed above: We must first bring near to us and embrace the Kohen Gadol as our brother, and then we must make and cloth him in "holy garments... for honor and glory." (ibid)