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Parasha Vayikra (And He Called): A Very Special New Beginning

Ewe with a newborn lamb

The new beginning of the Jewish year is being marked in a big way this year with a supermoon (a moon that is aligned with the sun and at its closest approach to the earth) that totally eclipsed the sun at 7:41 a.m UTC (Coordinated Universal Time or 9:41 a.m. in Jerusalem). That eclipse took place in the North Pole, which has to be the ultimate symbol of the wilderness. Of course, the wilderness is significant in Judaism because the Torah was given in the wilderness and not in the Land of Israel. Judaism teaches that the wilderness represents the world, with all its struggles.

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Parasha Vayakhel-Pekudei | Shabbat Parah: Purified for Passover

Jewish men pray at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem.

When Moses assembles the people together, he underscores the fact that the message he is conveying to them is not his own, but Adonai’s. That message includes a set of instructions for living a Godly lifestyle. The Israelites, who entered into covenant with the God of Israel to do what He commanded, were not expected to only listen to the message—they were expected to follow through with it, applying it to their owns lives, turning from their former ways. Likewise, we are not just to be hearers of the Word of God but also do what He has commanded us.

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Parasha Ki Tisa (When You Take): Second Chances and Chariots of Fire

Lion of Judah-Silver Yad-Torah

The Israelites are to create the Sanctuary’s water basin, anointing oil, and incense. God tells Moses that He has chosen a “wise-hearted” artisan named Bezalel, along with his associate Oholiab, to lead the sacred construction project. In order to fund the building of the Sanctuary, God commands Moses to take a census of the people of Israel and to instruct them to give a half shekel of silver.

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Tetzaveh (You Command): the Beauty of Holiness

Saul Reproved by Samuel, by John Singleton Copley

Everything God creates in His physical world helps us understand His spiritual world. The use of physical gems on the breastplate of the Kohen Gadol is no different. Since these stones represent the 12 tribes, and the breastplate is connected with discovering the will of God, the stones represent how precious Israel is to the Lord and His desire to lead them into His will.

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Parasha Terumah (Offering): Adventures of the Ark of the Covenant

The Transfer of the Ark of the Covenant by the Singing and Dancing David

One very special “furnishing” in the Tabernacle was the Aron haBrit (אָרוֹן הַבְּרִית or Ark of the Covenant), which was to be made out of acacia wood covered with gold. In it, the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments were to be laid. According to the Book of Hebrews in the New Covenant (New Testament–Brit Chadashah), it also contained a golden pot with the manna and Aaron’s rod that budded, although it is written in the Book of Kings that at the time of King Solomon, the Ark only contained the two Tablets of stone. (1 Kings 8:9)

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Parasha Mishpatim (Laws): Once We Were Slaves

A Jewish man wearing tefillin (phylacteries) holds a Torah scroll protected by a study case called a tik.

Since the Israelites had just been released from slavery, the first of God’s mishpatim deal with servants and slaves. “When you acquire a Jewish bondsman, for six years he shall work and in the seventh year he shall go free...” (Exodus 21:2) Several verses later, the painful experiences of the Israelites in Egypt are highlighted again, this time to create empathy for the foreigner. God commands the Israelites that foreigners be treated with kindness and respect.

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Parasha Yitro (Jethro): Burning Out for the Kingdom

Moses elects the Council of Seventy Elders, by Jacob de Wit

Yitro rejoiced with Moses over all that God had done for them; but the next day, when Yitro saw Moses spending long hours judging the people, he was concerned about the strain on Moses. Moses’ father-in-law wisely advised him to appoint other men to occupy positions of leadership to help carry the burden, lest Moses wear himself out. The Word of God tells us which qualities to look for in choosing potential leaders: capable, God-fearing, honest people.

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Parasha Beshalach (When Let Go): The Long Way to Destiny

Pharaoh's Army Engulfed by the Red Sea, by Frederick Arthur Bridgman

Pharaoh finally relented in letting the Israelites go free, but in this week's Parasha, Pharaoh changes his mind and races after them to bring them back into slavery. Thinking they are lost in the wilderness, Pharaoh seemingly traps them against the Red Sea. There is no escape. But God miraculously splits the waters so that His people pass through on dry land, while the Egyptians drown behind them.

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Parasha Bo (Come): Plagues, Freedom, and Redemption from Slavery

Ultra-Orthodox teens walk together at the Kotel (Western Wall) Plaza in Jerusalem.

This week, in Parasha Bo, God sends the final three: locust, darkness and death of the firstborn. After the last plague, Pharaoh finally gives up, triggering the Exodus of the Hebrews. But what were the purposes of the Ten Plagues? To pressure Pharaoh to let the Israelites go free? Perhaps, but God is fully capable of setting His people free without a king’s permission.

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