Category: 02 – Exodus
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Why Did God Create Suffering?
This week in synagogue we will read the Bible portion called “Terumah” (Exodus.25.1-27.19), which means “offering” in English. “Terumah…opens as God tells Moses to collect donated materials in order to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan (Tabernacle). God describes how to build the vessels that will fill the Mishkan – including the…
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The Jewish-American Perspective On Witchcraft
This week we read the Torah portion called “Mishpatim,” or laws,” Exodus 21:1-24:18. Within the portion verse 22:17 tells us that witches and warlocks must be hunted down–here is the origin of the term “witch hunt”–and executed. “מְכַשֵּׁפָ֖ה לֹ֥א תְחַיֶּֽה” – “You shall not allow a sorceress to live.” Exodus 22:17 The authoritative commentator Rashi…
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God Will Make A Mockery Of Those Who Mocked Him
“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them. “That you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them,…
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The Death Of Baal
“Assuredly, by this aloneShall Jacob’s sin be purged away;This is the only priceFor removing his guilt:That he make all the altar-stonesLike shattered blocks of chalk—With no sacred post left standing,Nor any incense altar.” Isaiah 27:9 This week’s Bible reading includes Isaiah 27:9, in which the prophet declares that the children of Jacob (the Jewish people)…
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God as “Chief Branding Officer”—and Bezalel
This week’s Bible portion, Vayakhel-Pekudai (Exodus 35:1-40:38 and Ezekiel 45:16 – 46:18) teaches us how God specifically named the people He wanted to build His place of worship in the desert. Bezalel (בְּצַלְאֵ֛ל) – “in God’s shadow,” was the primary craftsman. Oholiab (אָֽהֳלִיאָ֥ב) – “father’s tent,” was his assistant. The applicability of these names to…
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A Holy Space Free Of Instagram
The Bible portion “Terumah,” read in synagogue on February 20, 2021, focuses on contributions from the community for the holy Sanctuary of God. God instructs Moses that the people should bring the most beautiful, valuable things on Earth in voluntary beneficence, so as to create this holy space (Exodus 25:2-7): “Speak to the children of…
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The Ultimate Justice Is Divine
This past week’s Bible reading, “Mishpatim” (literally, “laws”) gives us an overview of the Jewish justice system. Part of that system is to tell the truth no matter what: whether it’s popular or not; whether bad people want to bribe you into lying; and even whether a guilty person is poor and needs help. Justice…
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Gematria of Amalek: 240. Mockery, Insecurity, Self-Doubt
In this week’s Bible portion (“Beshalach,” meaning “when you are sent”), God sent the Jews out of slavery in Egypt, took them through the sea unharmed, and fed them in the unforgiving desert. Soon enough they are confronted by the enemy Amalek. Exodus 17:8: “וַיָּבֹ֖א עֲמָלֵ֑ק וַיִּלָּ֥חֶם עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בִּרְפִידִֽם” “Amalek came and fought with Israel in…
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The Army Of Egypt Is Dead
We hear a lot about faith and how important it is. But faith is not required for God to do His work. In fact, sometimes faith is impossible, because the totality of rampant injustice is just too great. It is in those times, specifically, that God gives us “open miracles.” They are a way of…
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Gematria 113: On Sacrifice
Today, January 23, 2021, we read the Bible portion named “Bo” (“Go”). The portion covers the immediate period of time before the Jewish people departed from slavery in Egypt—negotiation with Pharoah as well as preparation. Rabbi Akiva Belk notes the Gematria 113 in this portion as we encounter a word that looks like this in Hebrew: ויחזק…
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