by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 17, 2022 | Fear of God, God, Hebrew Language, Ki Tisa, Prayer, Resurrection
There is no doubt that Moses was close to God, even speaking with Him “face to face, as one man speaks to another” (Exodus 33:11). But Moses wanted even more and requested, “Oh, let me behold Your Presence!” (33:18). God assented to His faithful servant’s request but...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 15, 2022 | Antisemitism, Holiness, Ki Tisa
After coming down from Mount Sinai, Moses’ face was so radiant that he had to wear a mask when speaking with people: And when Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moshe went in before Hashem to speak with Him, he would leave the...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 14, 2022 | Exodus, Repentance
In a divine tour de force, God brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt with miracles and wonders including the ten plagues and the splitting of the sea. Never before had men witnessed such direct proof of God’s actions. Nonetheless, when Moses delayed in coming...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 13, 2022 | Adar, Community, Israel, Ki Tisa, Temple
In the beginning of the Torah portion of Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35), God commands the Children of Israel to take a census by collecting a silver half-shekel from every male over the age of 20. What is the meaning of half shekel in the Bible? The half shekel is a...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2022 | Chanukah, Miracles, Purity, Temple, Tetzaveh
When God instructs the Children of Israel to make the menorah, He tells them to gather oil “for kindling lamps regularly” (Exodus 27:20). Rashi explains that the light was to be lit all night, every night, though not necessarily during the day. The lights...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2022 | Temple, Tetzaveh
When Aaron and his sons were anointed in order to begin serving in the Tabernacle, it transformed their descendants for all time, establishing them as Kohanim (priests) and the only people to perform the Temple service. It should be noted that initially, the...
