This is a commentary on the Torah portion Emor – “say.” This torah portion turns its attention back to the priests and their responsibility to maintain higher standards of purity. Though addressing the priests, we who have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light to be a royal priesthood should take note of the […]

This is a commentary on the Torah portion Kedoshim – “Holy.” If  the previous portion begins what is regarded as lev ha’torah (the heart of the Torah), this portion is the “heart of the heart.” This sidrah defines the call to Israel to be holy “because I the LORD your God am holy.” This portion emphasizes the […]

This is a commentary on the Torah portion Acharei Mot – “After the death.” This portion begins what is regarded as lev ha’torah (the heart of the Torah) and emphasizes how the Creator is to be approached and uses the death of Aaron’s sons to make the point that it must not be done “at […]

This is a commentary on the Torah portion Metzora – “Leper.” In the previous Torah portion we learned about the affliction of tzarat and how it was the physical manifestation of a spiritual malady. In Metzora, instruction is given as to the procedure when a metzora is healed of his affliction. The distinctions between this ritual […]

This is a commentary on the Torah portion Tazriah – “Conceive.” Where the previous Torah portion emphasized those animals whose carcass could render someone unclean, this portion focuses on contamination resulting from what emanates from humans. The greater part of this sidrah details the plague of tzarat, most commonly treated as “leprosy,” yet as we see, […]

This is a commentary on the Torah portion Sh’mini – “Eighth.” All the preparation for and anticipation of the mishkan culminates on this the eighth day since the consecration of the priesthood began. Yet, on what should have been a joyous occasion for Aaron and his sons, this day turns out to be one of tragedy. […]

Where the previous torah portion addressed the people of Israel and the instructions of where and how they were to present their offerings, this sidrah addressed the priests and how they were perform their duties. These chapters essentially constitute a “how to” manual for the priests where these offerings are concerned. Some of the specifics […]

This is a teaching on the parsha Vay’yikra – “And He called.” This sidrah establishes a connection between the process to construct the mishkan with the necessary procedures to sustain the mishkan as it was intended to be – the place where His Presence would reside in the midst of His people. This teaching emphasizes […]

Here is my d’rash (commentary) on the Torah Portion – Pekudei (“accountings”). In this parsha, we see the concluding stages of the mishkan’s construction and its erection on 1 Aviv. The culmination of this entire process is when the Sh’kinah fills the house signifying His presence among His people. This teaching highlights how the Tabernacle is a manifestation […]

Here is a d’rash (commentary) on the Torah Portion – Vay’yakhel (“He assembled”). In this parsha, Moses invites the entire nation to participate in the building of the mishkan by bringing the items needed to build it. This portionhighlights the willingness of the people to participate and the wisdom of the artificers responsible for taking what God had said […]