Parshat Behar 5774; Thoughts on Shemittoh, on Who Really Rules Eretz Yisrael and What Nation was Bequeathed Divine Sovereignty Over the Land?

Shalom Friends;

This week, our Parshat HaShevua, Parshat Behar is being sponsored by David and Julie Morris L’ilui Nishmas for the Yahrtzeit of Julie’s Mother Shulamit Devorah bat Rav Shimshon Raphael z”l and for Refuah Shlaima L’Cholei Yisrael. To the Morris family, many thanks for your sponsorship and for your continued kindnesses through the years.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua. read more

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Parshat Emor 5774: The Kohanim: Paradigm of Spiritual Unity Service, Chessed, Purity — for Am Yisrael, and All Mankind

Parshat Emor 5774: The Kohanim: Paradigm of Spiritual Unity Service, Chessed, Purity — for Am Yisrael, and All Mankind

by Moshe Burt

The positioning in Torah of our Parsha Emor, following last week’s Parsha Kedoshim gives rise to thought and contemplation.

In the previous 2 twin Parshas; Acharei Mos and Kedoshim, and Tazria and Metzora before them, we learn about the Kohen as the only one Divinely invested with ruling as to Tumah or Ta’Hara regarding ones’ skin, hair, clothing or homes, as well as with being the vehicle for Yom Kippur avodah, on behalf of the nation, in the Kadosh Kedoshim and as the model, the paradigm of the Darchim for the entire B’nai Yisrael to emulate as a model for all mankind. read more

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Parshat Kedoshim 5774: Carrying Out Hashem’s Command — By Outreach, Heartfelt Criticism, or By Coercion, Sinat Chinom?

Shalom Friends;

This week, our Parshat HaShevua, Parshat Kedoshim is being co-sponsored by Daniel & Ami Michaels L’ilui Nishmas for the Yahrtzeit of Daniel’s grandfather: Yoel Me’ir ben Yitzchak z”l, as well as by R’ Moshe & Jesica Myers L’ilui Nishmas for the Yahrtzeit of Moshe’s Dad: Shlomo Hersch/Tzvi ben Yaakov z”l. To our co-sponsors, the Michaels and Myers families, many thanks for your co-sponsorships and for your continued kindnesses. read more

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Dayenu 5774: “Being There” at the Pesach Seder and Remembering, Respecting Our Brethren — Then and Now

Shalom Friends;

Our Pesach vort is being sponsored anonymously Lilui Nishmas for the Yahrtzeit of Chana Yenta bat R’ Ze’ev. To our anonymous donor, many thanks for your sponsorship and for your continued kindnesses.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua.

Please be in contact with me with any questions, or for further details. read more

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Parshat Acharei Mos 5774: Torah’s Standard of Elevating the Jew Above the Nations and Above Animals

Parshat Acharei Mos 5774: Torah’s Standard of Elevating the Jew Above the Nations and Above Animals

by Moshe Burt

Parshiyot Acharei Mos and Kedoshim are normally what baseball fans refer to as another of the “doubleheader” parshiyot. But this is one of those years of both Adar א (Alef) and Adar ב (Bet), so the parshiyot each have their own Shabbos and leyning.

Just as Parshiyot Tazria and Metzora are extensions of each other, visa vi Tumah and Ta’Hara regarding post-birth, regarding skin, hair, clothing or regarding one’s home or building; Acharei Mos and Kedoshim are extensions of each other regarding Kohanim, Yom Kippur, the Kohen’s Yom Kippur avodah in the Kodosh Kedoshim and the Kohanic model of Darchim, which ideally the entire B’nai Yisrael would embrace and exhibit as a paradigm, as model, as a light for all mankind. read more

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