Kavod and the Mishkan: Why Does an Infinite God Seek Honor?
Parsha Terumah is the first of many Torah portions dealing with the building of the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary and prototype of what will eventually become the Beit Hamikdash (aka […]
Category Archives: Exodus/Shemos
Mishpatim & Milk: When Generosity Becomes Control — By Ben
The word Mishpatim usually refers to civil laws, meaning the laws that govern society that make sense. Judges shouldn’t take bribes, if you damage someone’s property you should compensate them, […]
Yisro: Why do a Traitor, a Zealot, a Dictator, and a non-Jewish Priest get Torah portions named after them? — By Ben
There are only a handful of Torah portions named after individuals. Noach, Yisro, Korach, Balak, Pinchas, and if you want to get technical, Chaya Sarah. Putting Chaya Sarah aside (since […]
Man Plans, God Laughs: Life is a Joke – Are You in on It?
The person who runs away from a prophecy ends up running right into it. It’s probably the most cliché plot device in all of storytelling. Oedipus Rex. Return of the […]
Parsha Bo: Rosh Hashanah is in the Seventh Month?!
In parshas Bo, God gives the Jewish people their first official Mitzvah, God said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, [showing them the new moon:] “This renewal will signal the […]
Va’eira – Contradiction In Name
Parsha Va’eira begins, “God [Elohim] spoke to Moses and said to him, ‘I am Hashem [YKVK]. I revealed [Va’eira] Myself to Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yaakov as the Almighty [El Shaddai], […]
Bitachon in Beshalach — By Ben
For my recent blog posts I’ve been veering away from the weekly Torah portion to explore the concept of bitachon, or trusting in God, by going through Sha’ar HaBitachon, a […]
Is There a Jewish Hell? — By Ben
Even though I didn’t grow up very religious, I always liked the idea that Judaism doesn’t have a hell. The concept of a never ending torture fest because you didn’t […]
Ki Sisa – Remember What You Have
I’m pretty sure even the most disconnected uneducated atheist has some awareness of the infamous sin of the Golden Calf. Much like the “apple” from the Garden of Eden and […]
Tetzaveh – Moses Redacted
Tetzaveh may be considered a bit of a dry parsha as it mostly details the clothing and duties of the Kohanim (Priests of the Temple). But there’s an interesting oddity […]
Six Degrees Of Kosher Bacon 