by Hillel Ontario | Apr 21, 2023 | Uncategorized
This week’s parsha is Acharei-Mot Kedoshim. Chapter 16 details the Yom Kippur service, one of the most important days of the year. Within the long, detailed instructions for the service is a very peculiar ritual. The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) takes two goats and...
by Hillel Ontario | Apr 3, 2023 | Hillel Ontario
The night before the Children of Israel’s departure from Egypt is referred to as leil shimurim, often translated as a “night of vigil.” Rav Nahman and subsequent scholars interpret this phrase, which appears nowhere else in the Tanakh, as a time of...
by Hillel Ontario | Mar 31, 2023 | Hillel Ontario, Weekly D'var
In this week’s parasha, Tzav, focuses on the laws of sacrifices and priestly duties. The emphasis is on the instructions given to the priests regarding the burnt offerings, the meal offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. These offerings were an...
by Hillel Ontario | Mar 17, 2023 | Hillel Ontario, Weekly D'var
This week’s double portion is Vayakhel-Pekudei, which concludes the book of Exodus. In these final chapters, the Israelites complete the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that they will use to worship God during their travels in the...
by Hillel Ontario | Mar 10, 2023 | Uncategorized
Can money teach us a lesson about equality, even though no two people have the same financial situation? Parshat Ki Tisa presents an opportunity to learn about equality from that which is usually not equal. The Parsha recounts the collection of funds for the Mishkan,...