My notes on Tetzaveh

Parashat Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10) Exodus 27 (continued) 27:20   And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. Comment: Gd’s chosen people is likened by oil in the following ways: (See, e.g., https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/259742/jewish/Jews-and-Oil.htm) (1) It gathers together. (See… Continue reading My notes on Tetzaveh

My notes on Terumah

Parashat Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19) Exodus 25 25:8   And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. Comment: “that I may dwell” (vshachanti in Hebrew):  this is the goal of building a sanctuary. The Hebrew word “dwell” is related to shechinah https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shekhinah, which can denote the presence of Gd. Gd’s present… Continue reading My notes on Terumah

My notes on Mishpatim

Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21-24) Exodus 21 21:1   Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. Comments: After the giving of the 10 commandments, Gd taught many detailed laws.  “judgments”: mishpatim in Hebrew, means Torah laws that make common sense. https://torah.org/torah-portion/ravfrand-5757-behar/ This is in contrast to chukim (“ordinances”, such as the red… Continue reading My notes on Mishpatim

My notes on Yitro

Parashat Yitro (Exodus 18-20) Exodus18 18:1   When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; Comment: This portion of weekly Torah reading is named “Yitro (Jethro)”, which contains the… Continue reading My notes on Yitro