Tag Archives: Leviticus

Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27)

Posted on May 9, 2019 by

(From 2016)  Last week’s Torah portion, Acharei Mot, was full of instructions for purification by means of atonement, sacrifices, and abstention from forbidden sexual contacts.  Now that everyone’s been purified and prepped, they are ready for the next stage: Holiness. … Continue reading →

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Acharei Mot (Lev. 16:1 – 18:30)

Posted on May 2, 2019 by

First, a few notes from the calendar.  Then we get back to Leviticus. The 8th day of Passover, which was on Shabbat this year, is not observed in Israel nor by Reform Jews.  In Israel, they simply went ahead last … Continue reading →

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Metzora (Lev.14:1-15:33), Shabbat HaGadol

Posted on April 12, 2019 by

I have this nagging sense that we have entered an age of global isolationism and disaster. But outdoors, I see all these hopeful signs of spring, trees with pink and white blossoms and delicate green leaves, brilliantly yellow daffodils and … Continue reading →

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Torah Portion Humor – Tazria (Lev.12:1 – 13:59), Shabbat Rosh Chodesh (Num. 28:9 – 15), Shabbat HaChodesh (Ex. 12:1 – 20)

Posted on March 31, 2019 by

This week’s Torah portion, Tazria, delves further into causes of ritual impurity, not generally one’s favorite topic. At least it’s short.  It concerns ritual impurity associated with childbirth and with tzara’at, a skin affliction, formerly incorrectly identified with leprosy (Hansen’s disease), … Continue reading →

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Tzav (Lev. 6:1 – 8:36)

Posted on March 22, 2019 by

This week: a coveted cleaning job, the “why” of sacrifices, and the ordination of Aaron and his sons.  First, more on the olah, the burnt (totally) offering. After it burns overnight, only ashes remain. The priest, dressed in linen ritual … Continue reading →

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Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26), Shabbat Zachor (Deut. 25:17-19), Purim

Posted on March 14, 2019 by

[Taxes. Nagging cough.  Fatigue.  Not really in the mood for Leviticus or Purim.  I will send out Purim jokes separately, closer to the holiday.  Comments are from 2016.] Interesting mix of moods this week: We start Leviticus (Vayikra) with instructions … Continue reading →

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Yom Kippur

Posted on September 18, 2018 by

In biblical Hebrew there are about 20 different words which denote “sin.” That’s from an article in the Jewish Virtual Library, with lots of sources.  Yes, it’s almost Yom Kippur.  This is the culmination of the Ten Days of Penitence, at the … Continue reading →

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