Tag: Vayikra

Elevating the Matriarchs, and the Women, in Judaism

Elevating the Matriarchs, and the Women, in Judaism

Elevating the Matriarchs is important. Rabbi Goodman encourages this with a midrash on Parashat Shemini, urging that representation matters.
Parashat Bechukotai Study Guide The Vessel of Blessings

Study Guide: The Vessel of Blessings

The study guide for Bechukotai explores how "peace" is used in this week's parashah, as well as the commentary surrounding this.
Showered in Blessing

Showered in Blessing

Parashat Bechukotai consists of a litany of blessings and curses that will befall the Jewish people depending on whether or not we obey God.
Parashat Behar Haftarah: Words Don't Reach

Words Don’t Reach

Jeremiah tends to find himself left speechless as he is our prophet through the destruction of Judah, Jerusalem, and the First Temple.
Parashat Behar Study Guide: For the Land is Mine

Study Guide: For the Land is Mine

The study guide for Behar focuses on the concept of Shmitah, the rest year, and the language used to refer to it.
Given Over to the Heart

Given Over to the Heart

While this week's parashah mainly focuses on shmitah, this Dvar Torah explores a line in the parashah, focusing on how to treat others.
Parashat Emor Haftarah: Working Behind the Scene

Working Behind the Scene

Our haftarah expands on the parasha, limiting priestly work in the mikdash to only the descendants of Zadok.
Parashat Emor Study Guide: Sticks and Stones?

Study Guide: Sticks and Stones?

This week's study guide focuses on the curse of a person accused of violence. Discuss blasphemy versus blessing in this context.
Among the Bearded Barley

Among the Bearded Barley

Parshat Emor describes the Omer offering must be brought on the “day after the Sabbath," the second day of the Passover holiday.
Parashat Kedoshim Haftarah: Perspective

Perspective

Our haftarah starts bold and bloody, and connects the destruction in Amos to the destruction in the story of Noah and the flood.
Parashat Kedoshim Study Guide: Plugging of the Loophole

Study Guide: Plugging of the Loophole

The study guide for Kedoshim synthesizes Rashi, Rashbam, and Ramban to discuss a text from Vayikra about holiness.
How Old is Old?

How Old Is Old?

Public buses in Israel feature a sign that quotes from a verse in this week’s parashah: “You shall rise before the aged'' (Leviticus 19:32).
I Need Your Sacrifices After All

I Need Your Sacrifices After All

This week’s parashah contains God’s instructions to Moshe concerning Aaron’s entrance into the Holy of Holies to achieve atonement.
Parashat Acharei Mot Study Guide: Biblical Sartyrs

Study Guide: Biblical Satyrs

This study guide follows the word "se'irim," meaning sartyrs, through multiple biblical texts, tying this in with Ibn Ezra's commentary.
Parshat Acharei Mot Haftarah: Fathers

Fathers

This week, we read 1 Samuel 20, the story of Jonathan helping David escape from King Saul, in conjunction with Parashat Achrei Mot.
Parashat Metzora Study Guide: When Walls Speak

Study Guide: When Walls Speak

The study guide for this week's parashah, Meztora, discusses the impact that tzaraat has on the physical objects it touches.
One Mouth Per Person

One Mouth Per Person

The dangers of inappropriate speech are connected to the parashah, Metzora, the person stricken with leprosy.
Parashat Tazria Haftarah: Finding a Prince Charming

Finding a Prince Charming

This week's haftarah, from the book of Ezekiel, discusses the changing power structures and leadership in the changing times of Israel.
Parashat Tazria Study Guide: A Wonder Is Born

Study Guide: A Wonder Is Born

The study guide for Tazria focuses on pregnancy and childbirth and the outcomes of purity versus impurity derived from this.
Far From the Tree

Far From the Tree

Tazria takes its name from conception and childbirth. Ilana Kurshan connects this to bearing fruit, both literally and metaphorically.
Parashat Shmini Haftarah: On Shame

On Shame

Connected Parashat Shemini's Haftarah, in Ezekiel, Bex Stern Rosenblatt explores the intersection of shame, guilt, and embarrassment.
Parashat Shmini Study Guide: Why Did They Die?

Study Guide: Why Did They Die?

This week's study guide focuses on Nadav and Avihu, Aaron's sons, bringing "foreign flames" to give an offering to God.
Keeping Our Cool

Keeping Our Cool

When we lash out angrily at others, it is not really we who are speaking, but the evil inclination that takes control of us from ...
Parashat Tzav Haftarah: Unwanted Offerings

Unwanted Offerings

This week's haftarah explores human sacrifice. While the Tanakh seems to be mixed about it, God may command human sacrifice in this haftarah.
Parashat Tzav Study Guide: A Fraught Appointment

Study Guide: A Fraught Appointment

This week's study guide focuses on the consecration of Aaron and his sons and Kohanim and what that means.
Parashat Vayikra Study Guide: Treachery by Mistake

Study Guide: Treachery by Mistake

This week's study guide focuses on two words, ma'al and me'ilah, and what it means, both literally and in terms of this week's parashah.