Torah

Accounting for Life, and All of Its Treasures

PEKUDEI, Exodus 38:21-40:38

By:

Rabbi Joshua Runyan

With just six weeks until April 15, tax season is upon us. And as we all gather our receipts and statements in the push to make it to the filing deadline, it's perhaps comforting to know that no less than Moses was audited. According to a fascinating Midrash on the subject, he even requested it. This week's Torah portion begins...

Torah

Care for What You Have, Instead of Seeking More

VAYAKHEL, Exodus 35:1-38:20

By:

Rabbi Danielle Stillman

For her school picture this year, my daughter chose to wear a sweater my mother made for me when I was 3. That sweater, lovingly knitted, was then handed down to my sister, and cleaned and stored away till it could be given to my daughter. The sweater is in perfect condition. Care for things is rare these days. The...

Torah

A Blast From the Past: Relevance to Egypt

KI TISSA, Exodus 30:11-34:35

By:

Rabbi Howard A. Addison

Ki Tissa signals the lowest historic point of Israel's faithlessness. Feeling abandoned by Moses, the people besiege Aaron to fashion a Golden Calf, proclaiming "this is the god who brought you out of Egypt." Imagine the extent of Moses' horror as he descends from his 40-day sojourn atop Sinai to scenes of illicit, idolatrous revelry. Critical commentators have offered several...

Torah

Holy Path From Sinai Illuminated by the Torah

TETZAVEH, Exodus 27:20-30:10

By:

Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Jewish Exponent Feature

After the revelation at Sinai, how do we meet the challenge of becoming "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation"? Moses repeats "all the commands ... and all the rules ... (and) the people answer with one voice: ... 'All the things that God has commanded we will do!' " The Torah translates that lofty hope into a clear...

Torah

Building a Structure, as Well as a Peoplehood

TERUMAH, Exodus 25:1-27:19

By:

Rabbi Joshua Runyan

This week's Torah portion begins a bit like a bill of lading, listing all of the raw materials that went into the construction of the Tabernacle. All told, this movable sanctuary required "gold, silver and copper; blue, purple and crimson yarns, fine linen, goats' hair; tanned ram skins, [other animal] skins, and acacia wood; oil for lighting, spices for the...