Category Archives: Vayikra

Vayikra 5781

Vayikra

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GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR,
YOUR HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE

In this week’s Parsha, Vayikrah, the Torah introduces the various korbanos (offerings) that were brought in the Mishkan. The first animal offering is the bull, the second is the sheep and goats and the third animal is the bird offering. The first paragraph begins, “If from the bull is his offering…” and the second paragraph begins, “If from the sheep is his offering”. The third paragraph begins slightly differently, “If from the birds is his offering to HaShem…”

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Vayikra 5779

Vayikra

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INTEGRITY & FIDELITY; OUR SECRET WEAPON

This week, in addition to the regular Parsha of Vayikra, we will read a second Parsha, Parshas Zachor. Parshas Zachor instructs us to remember that Amalek attacked us when we left Egypt. They had no interest in attacking us other than to demonstrate that G.D’s people are just as mortal and human like every other nation. In reality, however, we know that as HaShem’s people, we are not mortal. The nation of Israel is eternal, we will outlive history itself.

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Acharei Mos Kedoshim 5781

Acharei Mos, Kedoshim

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JUST THINK ABOUT IT!

The first mitzvah of Kedoshim instructs us ‘to be holy because HaShem your G.D is holy’. The Torah is stating that HaShem’s holiness is the cause for us to be holy. Holiness in this context refers to being removed from the materialism of this world. The notion of HaShem’s holiness is that He is removed from the material world, He exists outside of this universe. To be more accurate, HaShem exists outside the spiritual realms as well; He created those realms just as He created the material world. HaShem is therefore Absolute Holiness. The question we must ask is how can HaShem’s holiness be the reason for us to be holy? HaShem’s holiness is intrinsic and such holiness within the sphere of the human condition is absurd. We understand that the Torah would not instruct us to be creators because HaShem is a creator. Such a mitzvah would be absurd since creation is the exclusive domain of HaShem. In a similar way HaShem’s holiness cannot be the reason for Man to be holy since His holiness is of a totally different nature.

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