Parashat Shemini (Leviticus 9-11) Leviticus 9 9:1 And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; Comment: “the eighth day”: Although this is the eight day since the start of the week-long sanctification process of the tent of meeting, this is also… Continue reading My notes on Shemini
My notes on Tsav
Parashat Tsav (Leviticus 6:8-8:36) Leviticus 6 (continued) 6:12 And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace… Continue reading My notes on Tsav
My notes on Vayikra
Parashat Vayikra (Leviticus 1-6:7) Leviticus 1 1:1 And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Comment: This portion is named Vayikra, which means “(He) called”, taken from this verse 1:1. Vayikra is also the “Jewish name” of this book Leviticus. This is the middle… Continue reading My notes on Vayikra
My notes on Pekudei
Parashat Pekudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38) (Parashat Vayakhel and Parashat Pekudei are often read together in the same week, in a non leap Jewish year. See https://aish.com/double-torah-portion/.) Exodus 38 (continued) 38:27 And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the… Continue reading My notes on Pekudei
（出40）通往金牙边冠冕之路
（出40）通往金牙边冠冕之路 （本文原型笔者曾刊登于以马内利社区） 我们在出埃及记37章看到一个镶着金牙边的约柜（出37：1-2），里面装着法版（出40：20），上面刻着主的话语（申10：4-5）。本章（出40）我们看到主的一个相关的命令，很奇特，要用一个幔子将约柜遮掩： （出40:1-3） “耶 和 华 晓 谕 摩 西 说 ， 正 月 初 一 日 ， 你 要 立 起 帐 幕 ， 把 法 柜 安 放 在 里 面 ， 用 幔 子 将 柜 遮 掩 。” 关于约柜，犹太人注意到了很多基督徒没有注意到的一个细节，就是圣所与至圣所中有三样“家具”镶着金牙边，分别是陈设饼桌，香坛，和约柜。犹太人将它们分别解释为君王，祭司，与圣言的冠冕［1］。虽然犹太人有很多优点，但是基督徒也能看到犹太拉比的解经有很多问题［2］。这些问题的根源，是犹太人因为怕被基督徒同化，就在解经时反对或避免提到新约与耶稣。 然而，如果不谈新约，具体在约柜的金牙边的解经上，就会产生这样一个矛盾。犹太人认为这个金牙边象征主的话Torah，并且这个冠冕与君王祭司的世袭冠冕不同，是一个人人可以得到的冠冕。这听上去很励志，但是, 镶着金牙边的约柜是在至圣所的幔子内（出40：3），常人不能进，进去会有死亡的危险！连大祭司也只能在赎罪日献了赎罪祭才能进去，参见（利16:1-3）： “亚 伦 的 两 个… Continue reading （出40）通往金牙边冠冕之路
My notes on Vayakhel
Parashat Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1-38:20) (Parashat Vayakhel and the subsequent Parashat Pekudei are often read together in the same week, in a non leap Jewish year. See https://aish.com/double-torah-portion/.) Exodus 35 35:3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day. Comment: Jews don’t cook with fire on Sabbath. Instead they have cooked… Continue reading My notes on Vayakhel
My notes on Ki Tisa
Parashat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35) Exodus 30 (continued) 30:20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: Comment: Jews still wash hands ritually before praying.… Continue reading My notes on Ki Tisa
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
My notes on Beshalach
Parashat Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) Exodus 13 (continued) 13:18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. Comment : “ … led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of …… Continue reading My notes on Beshalach
My notes on Bo
Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16) Exodus 10 10:3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me. Comment: “let my people go”: This phrase also… Continue reading My notes on Bo
My notes on Vaeira
Parashat Vaeira (Exodus 6:2-9:35) Exodus 6 (continued) 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Comment: The Bible talks about many families and relatives serving in Gd’s big plan. Relatives may have more natural communications with each… Continue reading My notes on Vaeira
My notes on Shemot
Parashat Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1) Exodus 1 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. Comment: When one has to choose between obeying Gd or obeying a human being, it is better to choose the former. 1:19 And… Continue reading My notes on Shemot