Category Archives: Vayikra

Shmini 5777

Shmini

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IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT OF THE UNIVERSE

With Pesach behind us, we are in our second week of our ascent from the depravity of Egypt to the heights of spiritual purity of Mount Sinai. In this state we are presented with this week’s Parsha, Shmini. Shmini introduces us to the laws governing which animals are permitted for us to eat and which are not. Regarding non-kosher mammals the Torah writes “These animals are unclean for you” . Regarding non-kosher fish the Torah writes “all fish that do not have fins and scales are detestable to you” regarding the non-kosher birds the Torah writes “The following birds are detestable to you”.

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Vayikra 5777

Vayikra

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THE DIRECT LINE

This week’s Parsha begins the third book of the Torah, the book of Vayikra. The name “Vayikra” is actually the first word of the Parsha, “Vayikra el Moshe…”. It means “And He called to Moshe and said to him…” referring to HaShem’s calling to Moshe to prepare himself for the forthcoming prophecy. The Talmud teaches us that this was the manner in which HaShem al-ways spoke to Moshe. He first called him and then began the message.

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