The Torah reading of Bechukotai contains two distinct parts and there is seemingly no relation between the parts. The first part, chapter 26, is blessings and curses promising material reward…
The Torah reading of Behar opens with a seemingly innocent statement in relation to the subject of the Sabbatical year but which demands explanation - “And the Lord spoke unto…
The Torah reading of Behar opens with the laws of the Sabbatical year and the Jubilee (יובל). The Sabbatical year is every seventh year, and is to be “a Sabbath…
Chapter 23 of the Book of Leviticus stands out in the Hebrew Bible in importance - and, is known in the Jewish tradition as “the order of the appointed times”…
Chapter 19 of the Book of Leviticus, the Holiness Chapter, stands out as one of the most important chapters in the Hebrew Bible. The chapter begins with a command addressed…
Chapter 19 of the Book of Leviticus, the Holiness Chapter, stands out as one of the most important chapters in the Hebrew Bible. The chapter begins with a command addressed…
Strikingly, and contrary to what is widely and mistakenly believed, homosexuality is not seen as a sin, and is not discussed at all, in the Hebrew Bible. The Biblical prohibition…
The Torah readings of Tazria and Metzora are often read together in the Synagogue - and, a main subject of both Torah readings is leprosy although the Hebrew term (צרעת)…
The Torah reading of Tazria begins with laws relating to childbirth. Strikingly, a woman who gives birth to a son or daughter is to bring a sin offering - “she…
The Torah reading of Shmini contains dietary laws referred to in the Jewish tradition as laws of kashrut (from the Hebrew word kosher) - however, the term kosher does not…