Obedience and Sacrifice

What gift can you get for the God who already has everything? Does God desire sacrifice? The book of Leviticus opens with a gift registry that offers a few suggestions.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayikra (ויקרא | And he called)

Torah: Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23

Gospel: Matthew 5:23-30

* 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

Gospel: Luke 22:1-13

With the spirit of G-d, with wisdom, with insight, and with knowledge

(Exodus 35:30)

Adar 22, 5778/March 9, 2018

This Shabbat we read the concluding chapters of the book of Exodus, the double Torah reading of Vayakhel-Pekudei. In these chapters, Moshe, having descended from Mount Sinai and having dealt decisively with the debacle of the golden calf, now assembles the entire nation and gives over to them the instructions that G-d had given to him while still cloistered on Mount Sinai: the finely detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle, its vessels and the garments for the kohanim who will serve in the Tabernacle. Moshe then calls upon the people whose heart compels them to come forth and donate the raw materials necessary for the Tabernacle and its accoutrements. The nation as a whole rises to the occasion and with generous hearts bring such quantities of the necessary materials that, within just two days, Moshe sends out the call that no more materials are needed: the construction of the Tabernacle can begin. G-d calls upon Moshe to appoint master craftsmen Betzalel ben Uri and Ohaliav ben Achisamach, whose hearts He will fill "with the spirit of G-d, with wisdom, with insight, and with knowledge, and with [talent for] all manner of craftsmanship... " (Exodus 35:30) Work on the Tabernacle commences in earnest. The entire nation lends its skills and expertise to the fulfillment of the great project of making for G-d a sanctuary that He may dwell amongst them, the fulfillment of G-d's primordial desire for His presence to dwell among His people, the completion and perfection of His creation.

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.

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: John 13:1-19; Luke 16:1-13

* 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

Gospel: John 11:47-57

HaShem, HaShem, benevolent G-d

(Exodus 34:6)

Adar 15, 5778/March 2, 2018, Shushan Purim

Much has been written and said about the great debacle of the golden calf, whose story takes center stage in this week's Torah reading of Ki Tisa, sandwiched between G-d's final commandments to Moshe in Mount Sinai, concerning the preparation of the Tabernacle, and the parashah's closing description of the three pilgrimage festivals to be observed in the land of Israel, Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. To attempt to get to the bottom of the golden calf incident, its real meaning and significance, we need to not only determine what it was, but also what it wasn't.

The Word Made Stone

Moses descended and broke the tablets when he saw the golden calf. He returned to the cloud of glory, carrying new stone tablets before descending a second time in the glory of the LORD, carrying the new stone tablets of the renewed covenant.

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: Mark 9:1-10

You shall make holy garments for your brother

(Exodus 28:2)

Adar 8, 5778/February 23, 2018

"I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel and I will be their G-d. They will know that I, HaShem, am their G-d, Who brought them out of the land of Egypt in order that I may dwell in their midst; I am HaShem, their G-d." (Exodus 29:45-46) After G-d has completed His instructions to Moshe for building the Tabernacle and its vessels, making the priestly garments for Aharon and his sons, and dedicating the Tabernacle, He then reaffirms His reason for bringing Israel out of Egypt and His determination to dwell in their midst. What is the nature of this meeting place between G-d and man? What makes the Mishkan(Tabernacle) so unique? For sure, it is filled with beautiful vessels of gold and silver, but gold and silver are also the cherished possessions of earthly kings. And G-d doesn't command Israel to make for Him a sanctuary so that His presence may inhabit these man-made vessels, G-d forbid! G-d commands Israel to make for Him a sanctuary so that He may dwell amongst them.

Kohens, Priests of a Different Kind

What's the difference between the priests in the Bible and Christian priests? More than you might think. They aren't even related.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Tetzaveh (תצוה | You shall command)

Torah: Exodus 27:20-30:10

Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10-27

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20

* Special readings for Shabbat Zachor are applicable this Shabbat.

Shabbat Zachor (זכור | Remember)

* Maftir: Deuteronomy 25:17-19

* Haftarah: 1 Samuel 15:1-34

Gospel: Mark 6:14-29