by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2023 | Kedoshim
The portion of Kedoshim includes moral and ritual laws designed to increase the holiness of the nation, as well as punishments for many of the transgressions mentioned in Acharei Mot. Holiness Leviticus 19:1-37 This unit begins with an exhortation to “be holy”. The...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2023 | Happiness and Joy, Israel, Kindness and Compassion, Purity, Vayeira
The Torah portion of Vayeira continues the story of Abraham as he establishes the foundation for the Jewish nation. Having circumcised himself at God’s command, he now encounters three visitors as he recuperates. They bring him news. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2022 | Emor, Marriage and Relationships, Purity, Temple
Until the Exodus from Egypt, the patriarchs had an individual relationship with God, bringing sacrifices wherever and whenever they felt the calling. But when God brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt, what had been a clan, a loose conglomeration of individuals,...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 1, 2022 | Holiness, Kedoshim, Purity, Shabbat
Leviticus Chapter 19 begins with a deceptively simple commandment: You shall be holy, for I, Hashem your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:2 There has been much speculation about this verse. At first glance, the imperative seems impossible as it requires the nation of...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 27, 2022 | Bible Study
Leviticus chapter 18 introduces the Torah’s restrictions on sexual relations. The punishment for violating these transgressions is karet (being cut off from Israel). The title given for the list of the Bible’s prohibited sexual offenses is gilui arayot,...
![The Scapegoat, by William Holman Hunt. In Temple times, the scapegoat was a central part of the Yom Kippur service. [Image: Wiki Commons]](https://tibretired.kinsta.cloud/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/William_Holman_Hunt_-_The_Scapegoat.jpg)
