Torah Talk

Ekev 5770

2010-07-26T19:35:00Z

This week, what you get when you "keep" the combination of "covenant" and "loyalty" -- or, more precisely, what you get when God keeps them.

(Click here for source sheet.)

Va-etchanan 5770

2010-07-21T13:40:00Z

   This week, a look at the Commandments -- make that "The TEN Commandments."



    (Click here for source sheet.)

Devarim 5770

2010-07-15T00:10:00Z

   This week, as we begin the book of Deuteronomy, God inserts a footnote! A look at the many voices in this week's reading.



   (Click here for source sheet.)

Mattot-Massei 5770

2010-07-05T19:30:00Z

   This week, a very Christian-sounding idea in the book of Numbers.



   (Click here for source sheet.)

Pinchas 5770

2010-06-30T12:51:00Z

   Who was Cozbi's father Zur, and why do we care?




   (Click here for source sheet.)

Balak 5770

2010-06-23T23:16:00Z

   In this week's episode -- Balaam: hero or villain?



   (Click here for source sheet and links to more info.)

   This week's addition music comes from Boston Zamir's CD "The Majesty of Holiness" (http://www.zamir.org/cds/912.html).

Hukkat 5770

2010-06-14T13:39:00Z

   The mystery of the "red heifer" -- and why it appears in Numbers 19, not in Exodus or Leviticus.



   (Click here for source sheet.)

Korah 5770

2010-06-09T19:15:00Z

This week, Korah's Rebellion, or "What's in a Name?"

(Click here for source sheet.)

Shelach Lecha 5770

2010-06-03T13:22:00Z

Sometimes it's a good idea to go to the place God tells you ... and sometimes it isn't.

(Click here for source sheet.)

This year's summer shalishides series will begin at 5 PM on June 12th.
I seem to remember that we read the story of David and Bathsheba last summer -- so we'll pick up at 2 Samuel 12.

Beha'alotcha 5770

2010-05-25T22:41:00Z

What did God want Aaron to do with the Levites -- and why?

(Click here for source sheet.)

Naso 5770

2010-05-17T14:40:00Z

   Lots of offerings this week, as the tribal chieftains help inaugurate the Tabernacle and its altar.
   But there are 12 tribes and only 6 carts to carry the stuff. Who shared a cart with whom?

   (Click here for source sheet.)

Bemidbar 5770

2010-05-12T00:55:00Z

   This week's reading shows how the Kohathites outrank their fellow Levites of the Gershonite and Merarite clans. We take a side trip to Joshua 21 to show that this is no coincidence.

   (Click here for source sheet.)

Bemidbar 5769 in mp3 format

2010-05-11T22:41:00Z

I'm reposting this podcast from last year in order to connect it to the JPS Tagged Tanakh for Parshat Bemidbar:
taggedtanakh.org/ /> Last year's version was in mp4 format, which some people have difficulty playing -- so this is an mp3 version.

A better name for the Book of Numbers:

Behar-Behukkotai 5770

2010-05-05T12:41:00Z

   What does Lev 25:10 mean by saying, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof"?

   (Click here for source sheet.)

Emor 5770

2010-04-28T10:20:00Z

   Why can an animal not be offered to God before it is eight days old?

   (Click here for source sheet.)

Aharei Mot-Kedoshim 5770

2010-04-22T12:57:00Z

What's the significance of cleansing the Tabernacle of sin "after the death of" Nadab and Abihu?

(Click here for source sheet.)

Tazria-Metzora 5770

2010-04-15T18:16:00Z

So you've just had a baby boy.
Now ... what was it you're supposed to do ... ?

Click here for source sheet.

Shemini 5770

2010-04-08T20:48:00Z

This week, Aaron becomes the High Priest. But first he must sacrifice a sin offering in order to cleanse himself of sin, so that he can make expiation for the Israelites.
The English translation conceals the culminating moment of this ritual -- but a modicum of Biblical Hebrew grammar will make it clear.

Click here for source sheet.

Tzav 5770

2010-03-25T20:33:00Z

What does it mean for sacrificial meat to become piggul, and why does this not apply to every sacrifice?

(Sorry, couldn't get the PDF upload to work this week.)

Vayikra 5770

2010-03-17T16:28:00Z

Do the sacrifices actually "feed" God? (Click here
for this week's source sheet.)
With apologies for my cold.

   Note: R. Ezra Bick of Yeshivat Har Etzion in Israel made the same point in his comment last week, in more detail:

Ezra Bick on Parshat Vayikra