“…a burnt-offering, a fire-offering, a satisfying aroma to Hashem.” (Lev.1:9) R’ Yaakov Tzvi Mecklenberg explained that a person shouldn’t think that s/he achieves forgiveness with their sacrificial offering. Rather, it is to be an aroma, a scent of the changed life that will now commence. You encounter the smell of… Read More »LEVITICUS 1:9
“A perpetual fire shall be lit on the altar; it may not be extinguished.” (Leviticus 6:6) According to the Talmud (Zevachim 91b) extinguishing even a single coal on the altar is a transgression. When we’re young, we have a healthy, enthusiastic and pure simple faith. We should never become jaded… Read More »LEVITICUS 6:6
Leviticus chapter 4 discusses the Korban Chatat – sacrifice for sin. We learn there that this sacrifice was only brought for unintentional transgressions. (For example, someone who cooked on the Sabbath, but didn’t realize it is forbidden). Rabbi Yitzchak Arama explained that intentional sin involves both our body and our… Read More »LEVITICUS 4 – SACRIFICE FOR SIN
“And He called to Moses, and Hashem spoke to him…” (Leviticus 1:1). Rashi explains that there were pauses between each time God spoke to Moses to give him new instructions in order to allow Moses to pause, reflect on, and digest the content of God’s communication. Sivan Rahav-Meir shares a… Read More »LEVITICUS 1:1- THE IMPORTANCE OF A PAUSE
The laws of the meal offerings required that they be salted, but there could be no leavened dough or honey (Leviticus 2:11-13). Temple offerings were supposed to both impact us spiritually and reflect our own spiritual growth. Leaven causes dough to rise, to puff it up. Honey, as well, artificially… Read More »Leviticus 2:11-13 – REFLECTING ON SPIRITUAL GROWTH
“These are the accounts of the Tabernacle – The tabernacle of Testimony, there were conducted by Moses’ order…” (Exodus 38:21). According to the Midrash, suspicious cynics were circulating rumors that Moses was pocketing some of the funds collected for the building of the Tabernacle, so he ordered a careful accounting… Read More »EXODUS 38:2 – EACH PERSON WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING
“On the first day of the first month you shall set up the Mishkan (Tabernacle) of the Tent of Meeting” (Exodus 40:2). The construction of the Mishkan began after Moses came down with the second set of tablets, which was on the tenth day of the 7th month (Yom Kippur).… Read More »EXODUS 40:2 – BE PATIENT
“Take from yourselves an offering to Hashem. Every person whose heart impels him to generosity shall bring an offering to Hashem…(Exodus 35:5). The Hebrew word m’itchem – “from yourselves”, implies an inner, personal initiative. The impulse to give comes from within. Often, people are only motivated to contribute to worthy… Read More »EXODUS 35:5 – TAKE FROM YOURSELVES
Hashem said to Moses: Go and descend! For your people that you have brought up from the land of Egypt have become corrupt…they have made for themselves a molten calf! They bowed down to it and sacrificed to it…” (Exodus 32:7-8). Moses descends from the mountain with the two tablets… Read More »EXODUS 32:7-8 – GO AND DESCEND!
“And the people took off their gold rings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron” (Exodus 32:3). Come and see, Rabbi Yitzchak of Slonim used to say, how even the corrupt individuals among those who left Egypt were ready and willing to give up their silver and… Read More »EXODUS 32:3 GOLD AND SILVER
