This week’s Portion, Ki Tissa, continues the theme of God and Moses on Mount Sinai. God gives Moses more instructions for the Israelites – instructions for taking a census; instructions for fashioning oil, incense, and utensils for Priestly rituals. God divinely inspires Betzalel, a master craftsman, to lead the building process. God tells Moses to […]
Be Careful What You Wish For
Tetzaveh – Be Careful What You Wish For – Sermon – 2/12/2011 https://media.blubrry.com/jcasttotalfeed/jcastnetwork.org/storage/dsksermons/dsk009.mp3Podcast: Download
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Shabbat Commentary – Tetzaveh
In the last few Torah Portions, we’ve seen God play many roles. Now, in this week’s Parasha (Portion), Tetzaveh, we see God as Fashion Designer, describing in minute detail the Priest’s clothing and ornaments. In addition, God tells Moses of the ritual offerings which the Priest, Aaron, and his sons shall make. In the final […]
Commentary – T’rumah
From B’reishit on, we’ve experienced God as Creator, Guardian, Miracle Worker, Law Maker, Teacher. In this week’s Torah Portion, T’rumah, we see God in the roles of Fundraiser, Architect, Artisan, and Interior Decorator. With no Home Depot or Lumber Liquidators in sight, God commands the Israelites to build a portable Mishkan – “And let them […]
Shabbat Commentary – Mishpatim
Mishpatim is the type of Torah Portion that makes B’nai Mitzvah students groan. No catastrophic forces of nature as in Noach. No dramatic family sagas like those of Jacob and Joseph. No cruel pharaoh, eye-popping plagues, or anxious flight into the wilderness. Mishpatim is mostly about laws which God tells to Moses who then tells […]
Shabbat Commentary – Yitro
The grand event in Parshat Yitro is the revelation at Mt. Sinai, preceded by God’s promise to the Israelites that they will be God’s “treasure” (Exodus 19:5) if they “listen” to God and keep God’s Covenant. Scrubbed and trembling, the Israelites stand at the foot of the mountain, awed by a spectacular, theatrical display of […]
Commentary – Beshallach
Parshat Beshallach might be called “Days of Whine and Moses.” The Israelites’ behavior in Beshallach is an embarrassment, a shonda, as my mother would say in Yiddish. After experiencing God’s protection from Ten devastating Plagues, after escaping from slavery to freedom under the leadership of Moses who communicated directly with God, the Israelites had the […]
Shabbat Commentary – Bo
On the Jewish calendar, we may be only two weeks away from Tu B’Shvat, but in this week’s Torah Portion, Bo, it’s Passover – THE original Passover! Pharaoh remains steadfast in his refusal to free the Israelite slaves. As a result, three more plagues ( locusts, darkness, and death of the first born) descend, upon […]
Reflections on Va’era
We are only a few hours away from the dawn of 2011. The media are blaring out New Year’s advice in every form – “4 Money-Making Investments!” “6 Steps to Six-Pack Abs!” “8 Solutions to Household Clutter!” How about “7 Ways to Get Out of Egypt!” This item isn’t from CNBC or “The Martha Stewart […]
Words of Wisdom for Shabbat – Shemot
This week’s Torah Portion, Shemot, begins Sefer Shemot or the Book of Exodus. In Parshat Shemot, a cruel Pharaoh comes to power. Baby Moses is rescued from the Nile by Pharoah’s daughter. When grown, Moses kills an Egyptian who is beating a Jewish slave and flees to Midian where he marries Jethro’s daughter, Zipporah. God […]