The Biblical Symbolism Of Passover Foods

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2022 | Bo, Israel, Passover, Redemption, Temple

The home-based Passover service, known as the Passover Seder, is brimming with Biblical symbolism. Seder is the Hebrew word for order, alluding to the idea that God runs the world in an orderly manner. Similarly, there are 15 steps to the Seder and they are completed...

The Fast of the Firstborn

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2022 | Bo, Nisan, Passover, Responsibility, Temple

On the eve of Passover, firstborn sons fast from sunrise to sunset in commemoration of the salvation of the Israelite firstborns during the Plague of the Firstborn in Egypt. Unlike all other Jewish fast days, only firstborn children are required to fast on the Fast of...

Understanding the Healing Process for a “Leper”

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 8, 2022 | Community, Free Will, Metzorah, Temple

The healing process for tzaraat (a spiritual malady frequently mistranslated as leprosy) requires a series of sacrifices in the Temple. Two live birds are brought to the priest. Springwater is placed in an earthenware vessel, over which one of the birds (traditionally...

The Ritual Bath: A Spiritual Rebirth

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 7, 2022 | Marriage and Relationships, Metzorah, Modesty, Purity, Repentance, Temple

In modern times, we rarely think of the state of our spiritual purity. We can go into a synagogue, travel where we want, handle fruits and vegetables and sit on any chair without thinking about the spiritual ramifications. But in ancient Israel, when the Temple stood,...

The Hidden Haftorah: Elisha’s miracle of the loaves and healing leprosy

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 30, 2022 | Israel, Kings, Metzorah, Miracles, Nisan, Passover, Tazriah, Temple

Every week a portion from the Torah is read aloud in the synagogue, as well as a corresponding portion from the Prophets that is thematically connected to the Torah portion called the haftarah.  The portion of the Torah called Tazria (Leviticus 12-13) is accompanied...

Tzaraat: The Messiah’s Affliction?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 28, 2022 | Israel, Messiah, Tazriah, Temple

The Torah portion of Tazria (Leviticus 12-13) deals with tzaraat, a disease usually mistranslated as leprosy. Tzaraat is a malady that afflicts the body, clothing, and the walls of houses. The afflicted is diagnosed by the priest and rendered impure. Tzaraat is...