May 12, 2008
Parashat Behar-Behukotai; Leviticus 25:1-27:34
With this double portion, Behar-Behukotai, the book of Leviticus comes to a close. We have a collection of laws that address the shmitta or sabbatical year (this year is one of those!), the jubilee year and a variety of other issues, including a strong reminder of the promises that are fulfilled if the Israelites fulfill the commandments and the ways in which the Israelites will suffer if the covenant is ignored or idolatry comes to rule their way of life.
Continue reading "Parashat Behar-Behukotai; Leviticus 25:1-27:34"May 05, 2008
Parshat Emor; Leviticus 21:1-24:23 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger
This week our parsha begins by addressing the Priesthood. The priests have an extraordinary duty to guard their holiness and purity and this week’s portion, Emor, begins by addressing this very idea. The priesthood who come into the sacred boundaries of the Sanctuary and offer the sacrifices, must according to this week’s portion be scrupulous in their attention to spiritual purity. And the High Priest himself, may not even come into contact with death through the death of his own parents. This is extraordinary in the boundaries that are used to protect the priest from any ritual impurity, the High Priest and ultimately the altar and sacrifices.
Continue reading "Parshat Emor; Leviticus 21:1-24:23 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger"April 28, 2008
Parshat Kedoshim; Leviticus 19:1 -20:27 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger
The Torah portion this week, Kedoshim, describes many pathways to holiness. Particularly in chapter 19 of Leviticus there are many examples of the high moral ground we must take in dealing with others in society. We are reminded that our call to live holy lives flows directly from God’s holiness. “You shall be holy for I Adonai your God, am holy” (Lev.19:3). Kedusha, holiness is a divine attribute according to the Torah. This is an attribute that we are called to aspire to and live by as Jews. In chapter 19 many of the mitzvot are those dealing with society as a whole. We must treat our fellow human beings with the same sanctity that we imagine in our relationship to God.
Continue reading "Parshat Kedoshim; Leviticus 19:1 -20:27 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger"April 22, 2008
Torah Reading For the Seventh Day of Passover; Exodus 13:17- 15:26, By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger
With the arrival of the seventh day, a Yom Tov, the end of Passover will soon be here. In Israel and for the Reform Jewish community the seventh day is the last day of the holiday while outside Israel in the Conservative and Orthodox communities one additional day is observed. But for all of the people Israel, on the seventh day of Pesach we read and study and celebrate one of the greatest miracles our people have ever witnessed: The splitting of the Sea. The Exodus that we prepared for and sang about at our Seder is not yet complete. We might have recalled the 10 plagues by pouring out ten drops of wine but the Israelites were not yet free from the Egyptians until the seventh day. Though the Children of Israel left, Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army after our people into the desert. Caught between the Sea and Pharaoh’s army, what were we to do?
Continue reading "Torah Reading For the Seventh Day of Passover; Exodus 13:17- 15:26, By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger"April 14, 2008
Parshat Achrei Mot; Leviticus 16:1 -18:30 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger
The name of our portion this week, Achrei Mot, makes reference to the fact that previously two of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu both priests, died because they came into the Tent of Meeting and offered some type of offering on the altar that was not called for. The tradition teaches that they were inebriated and made a mockery of their sacred duties. Other teachings state that they were trying to co-opt the power of their father, Aaron. While yet other interpretations say that Nadav and Avihu violated the sacred boundary of the Holy of Holies which was only for the High Priest to come to once a year and offered a sacrifice that was not called for and was not in proper form or time. For this they died.
Continue reading "Parshat Achrei Mot; Leviticus 16:1 -18:30 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger"