The Many Uses of Olive Oil in Biblical Times

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 6, 2022 | Hebrew Language, Messiah, Purity, Temple, Tetzaveh

The portion of Tetzaveh begins by telling the Children of Israel to bring pure olive oil for use in the Menorah in the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:20). For normal use, oil is extracted from olives by pressing, but the Torah specifies that in this case the olives are...

What does Joseph have to do with the redemption?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 16, 2021 | Covenant, Messiah, Purity, Redemption, Vayishlach

The city of Shechem is mentioned as one of the first places Abraham passed through when he arrived in Canaan (Genesis 12:5). Later in the Bible, Dina, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, was raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, chief of the country. After the...

What’s the Difference Between Biblical Hebrew and Modern Hebrew?

by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 5, 2021 | Hebrew Language, Purity, Videos, Zephaniah

In Zephaniah 3:9 the prophet describes how all the nations of the world will have “purity of speech” in the end of days: “For then I will change the nations [to speak] a language of purity so that they all will proclaim the Name of God, to worship Him with a united...

What do Noah’s ark, the Temple lamp and anointing oil have in common?

by Mordi Levi | f 3, 2021 | Ezra and Nehemiah, Purity, Temple

The first time the olive tree is mentioned in the Bible is when Noah checked to see if the flood waters had receded. After the rain stopped falling, Noah waited until after the tops of the mountains became visible, and then sent a dove from the ark to check if the...

Weekly Torah Portion: Purity in the Land

by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 28, 2016 | Acharei Mot, Good and Evil, Israel, Purity

Chapter 18 of Leviticus is seemingly a list of dos and don’ts, not unlike many of the rules of purity and impurity listed throughout Leviticus. But at closer examination, there is something different about the instructions listed here. The chapter begins with...

Weekly Torah Portion: Purity and Impurity, Life and Death

by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 8, 2016 | Purity, Tazriah, Temple

This week’s portion continues the discussion of ritual purity. In last week’s portion, the instructions regarding purity revolved around various animals that are considered pure or impure. Those animals which are impure may never be eaten nor used for...