Dvar Torah

This week's Parsha, Parsha Vayikra, begins the book of Leviticus which is the 3rd book of the Torah. In English it is called Leviticus because it mainly talks about the Levites, the Kohanim and the Temple. 

In this week’s Parasha, Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei, Moses gathers the people of Israel to remind them of the commandment to observe Shabbat. He then forwards G-d’s instructions in regard to the building of the Tabernacle - the Mishkan.

In this week’s parsha, parashat Ki Tisa, the nation of Israel is stuck at a crossroads. Moses says that he will come back in 40 days and 40 nights, and that time has passed. 

This week's Parsha, Parshat Tetzaveh begins with the mitzvah of the Ner Tamid and the oil needed to light it.

This week’s parashah, Teruma, which translates as “offering”, gives us the detailed instructions on building the Tabernacle - G-d’s sanctuary- symbolising his unconditional presence with the Jewish nation.

This week's Parsha is Mishpatim, which means "laws” or "judgements". In this Parsha, Moshe details many of G-d’s laws to the Jewish people. These include laws about worshiping other gods, kashrut, business ethics and treatment of animals. 

This week's parasha is Yitro and it raises the question: how can it be that the parasha in which the children of Israel receive the Torah is named after Yitro - a person? What special quality did he possess that he was rewarded in this way?

This week’s Parsha is Parsha Beshalach. There are few founding events in the Parsha: the parting of the sea; Moses’ thankful song of the sea; G-d miraculously giving the Isrealites water to appease their thirst; G-d causing manna to rain down from the sky every morning around the camp; and the providing of quails during evening to feed the Israelites.

In this week's Parsha G-d reminds Moshe of his promise: that the sons of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, shall inherit the land of Israel. He commands Moshe to say to Pharaoh: “Let my people go”.