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Not Quite Forgiven Parashat Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30) Acharei Mot begins with instructions for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It is one of the most important days of the year, and from our reading we can see the how atonement and forgiveness are granted for the nation of Israel. Often, we often fail to notice the details of the Yom Kippur service and exactly what is going on. There are two specific things that we need to realize about this ritual. The first involves the function of the two goats, and the second involves exactly what could and couldn’t be forgiven. Let’s begin by understanding the purpose of each of these animals. Of the two goats of the Yom Kippur service, the goat that was designated l’Adonai, “for the LORD,” was slaughtered for the sanctification of the Tabernacle/Temple and all its furnishings: read more »	The Leaven of Leprosy Parashat Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33) The first full chapter in Parashat Metzora is a continuation of the instructions regarding the metzora (the person who has tzara’at—biblical leprosy) from our previous portion, Parashat Tazria. In both of these readings, our modern senses are immediately assaulted. Why do we read chapter after chapter of gross, or even embarrassing, details of skin diseases and bodily functions? After all, we live in a modern world where all of those types of things are handled privately and confidentially with one’s medical practitioner. Why are these detailed and meticulous laws concerning tzara’at important? They are actually a reminder of God’s great compassion. How so? read more »
A Flickering Candle An Inspiration for Hanukkah read more »	Pharaoh's Dream. Peter's Dream. Joseph’s early life was filled with tragedy. He was hated and betrayed by his brothers. He was thrown into a pit and his father made to believe he was dead. He was sold into slavery and carried down to Egypt where he was sold yet again. And just when things started looking up his master’s wife tried to seduce him. When he refused her advances she brought up false charges against him and he was thrown into prison. It so happens that Joseph found himself in Pharaoh’s dungeon alongside two former employees of the king. Both the royal cupbearer and the royal baker had been thrown into prison because they had displeased Pharaoh in some capacity. One night they both had troubling dreams and told them to Joseph who interpreted them. For the cupbearer, Joseph said that his dream was to let him know he would be restored to his position within three days. Joseph said the baker’s dream, however, signified that within three days he would be executed. read more »
Parashat Ki Tavo - Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8 The Responsibility of Influence Parashat Ki Tavo is so named because of its open verse, which says, “When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it …” (Deuteronomy 26:1). The words ki tavo mean “when you come.” Thus, this parashah is focused on the responsibility of the Children of Israel when they arrive in the land promised to them by Hashem. The first few paragraphs address bringing the bikkurim, the first fruits of the land to the LORD and the ceremony surrounding this procedure. After this Hashem gives Israel a reminder of their responsibility as a people who are consecrated to the LORD: read more »	Parashat Ki Tetze - Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19 Restoring The Lost Parashat Ki Tetze contains a plethora of laws ranging from managing the spoils of war to sexual immorality to fulfilling vows and oaths. Our focus will be on the responsibility of guarding a lost object. At the beginning of chapter 22 we read: You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother. And if he does not live near you and you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it. Then you shall restore it to him. And you shall do the same with his donkey or with his garment, or with any lost thing of your brother's, which he loses and you find; you may not ignore it. (Deuteronomy 22:1–3) read more »

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