Tazria takes its name from conception and childbirth. Ilana Kurshan connects this to bearing fruit, both literally and metaphorically.
When we lash out angrily at others, it is not really we who are speaking, but the evil inclination that takes control of us from within.
Parashat Tzav teaches us that in those moments when we don’t feel we have anything to offer, we offer nonetheless.
At start of Leviticus, the Mishkan becomes the domain of Aaron and the priests, who are responsible for the system of sacrificial worship.
Parashat Pekudei describes the construction of the Mishkan in accordance with the specific instructions given by God to Moshe.
In the film Raiders of the Lost Ark, archeologist Indiana Jones vies to recover the Ark of the Covenant, featured in this week’s parashah.
Our parashah contains the Ten Commandments, as well as instructions for preparing the Ketoret, the incense offered in the Tabernacle.
This week’s parashah opens with God’s instructions to Moshe concerning the oil used for lighting the Menorah in the Mishkan.
Our parashah describes the creation of the Mishkan, especially the ark, holding the tablets, manna, Aaron’s staff, and oil.
Our parashah describes a puzzling episode, following the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai when elders of Israel envision God.
Our parashah contains the words of the Ten Commandments, which God speaks to Moses and the people of Israel from Mount Sinai.
Just three days after escaping Egypt, the Israelites find themselves in the desert with no water, causing spiritual crises.
This week’s parashah opens a conversation about when the beginning of the year is and the impact that it has on time itself.
Vaera opens with God reiterating the covenant made with Moshe’s ancestors. What’s the connection between this parshah and pizza toast?
Shemot describes the early years of Moshe’s life up to the pivotal moment when he is informed of his mission awaiting him in Egypt.
Parashat Vayechi chronicles the deaths of Jacob and his son, Joseph, both of whom provide explicit instructions regarding their burials.
In parashat Vayigash the patriarch Jacob learns the truth about his son Joseph, in realizing Joseph’s laden wagons.
In parashat Miketz, Jacob sends his sons to Egypt, but unbeknownst to his sons, the ruler dispersing rations is their younger brother, Joseph.
In this week’s parashah, Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar tricks him into sleeping with her after she is not able to conceive with his sons.
On the eve of Jacob’s meeting with his brother Esau, he finds himself wrestling with a divine figure, winning, and receiving a new name.
After leaving his father’s home, Jacob dreams of God and experiences prayer for the first time. Learn about living in dialogue with God.
In Toldot, Isaac, now the family patriarch, bestows the blessing of the firstborn on Jacob instead of Esau, when Jacob tricks him.
Parashat Chayei Sarah describes the final years of Abraham’s life, following the death of his wife Sarah and culminating in Abraham’s own death.
Parashat Vayera is about a tense and dramatic conversation between God and Abraham about the destruction of Sodom.
Parashat Lech Lecha depicts an acute marital crisis between Abraham and Sarah that occurs at a particularly difficult moment in their lives.
We learn in Parashat Noach: God comes to appreciate, the problem was not creating human beings, but having unrealistic expectations of them.
In the beginning, according to God’s original plan, the Sun and the Moon were two who ruled alongside one another. What happened?