Words Give Life

parasha Ki Tisa 5784 - The Half Shekel

weekly Torah reading: parasha Ki Tisa 5784 - The Half Shekel

“This is what everyone who is entered in the records shall pay: a half-shekel by the sanctuary weight—twenty gerahs to the shekel—a half-shekel as an offering to the L-RD.” – Exodus 30:13

zeitgeist: Light & Darkness

zeitgeist: Light & Darkness - cultural confusion in the modern world

"The words You inscribed give light." - Psalm 119:130, JPSN

zeitgeist: Waters of Division

zeitgeist: Day Two - Waters of Strife & Division

This division symbolized strife; and, for this reason, the second day was not referred to as “good.”

 

Being Human is Key

Transcending Divisive Politics

When you associate the identity of another person with his or her politics, then you are viewing them through the lens of identity-politics. Transcend this limited view by seeing the other as a whole person, not only as someone whose view is such and such.

parasha Vayakhel 5784 - Bestowing Heavenly Qualities

weekly Torah reading: parasha Vayakhel 5784 - Bestowing Heavenly Qualities

“And He hath filled him with the spirit of G-d, in wisdom, in understanding, and in all manner of workmanship.” – Exodus 35:31 JPS, 1917 Tanach

parasha Pekudei 5784 - The Inner Sanctuary of the Soul

“And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony; as the L-RD commanded Moses.” – Exodus 40:21, JPS 1917 Tanach

parasha Vayikra 5784 - The Call from Within the Sanctuary

The completion of the Mishkan was followed by the manifestation of HaShem's presence, in the form of a cloud that filled the Tabernacle, and prevented Moshe from entering. Then HaShem calls (vayikra) to Moshe from the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting).

parasha Tzav 5784 - The Fire of Renewal & Redemption

weekly Torah reading: Tzav - the Fire of Renewal & Redemption

“And the fire upon the altar shall be kept burning thereby, it shall not go out; and the priest [kohein] shall kindle wood on it every morning.” – Leviticus 6:5, JPS 1917 Tanach

parasha Shemini 5784 - Approaching the Divine with Reverence

weekly Torah reading: parasha Shemini 5784

“Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put fire therein, and laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the L-RD, which He had not commanded them. And there came forth fire from before Hahem, and devoured them, and they died before the L-RD.” – Leviticus 10:1-2, JPS 1917 Tanach

parasha Tazria 5784 - Yearning of the Soul

weekly Torah reading: parasha Tazria 5784

“This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: he shall be brought unto the priest [kohein].” – Leviticus 14:2, JPS