by Jessica Laudenbach | May 11, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Emor: Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 “An Eye for an Eye;” Retributive or Restorative Justice? Toward the end of this week’s Torah portion we find the verses that have fueled centuries of antisemitism and often been a pretext for abandoning one’s...
by Jessica Laudenbach | May 4, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Kedoshim: Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27 “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself?” Tucked in-between the verses of what is known as the “Holiness Code” that spans this and last week’s Torah portion, is one of the best-known proclamations in Torah: “Love your...
by Jessica Laudenbach | Apr 27, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Acharei Mot: Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30 “A Holiness Code for Tomorrow” This week’s Torah portion marks the beginning of what is known as the Holiness Code which will span the rest of Leviticus. This Holiness Code is a code of conduct, a guide that...
by Jessica Laudenbach | Apr 5, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Passover 5782 “Mandatory Generosity at Our Seder” A week from today, at our first Passover Seder, we will begin telling the story of our exodus from Egypt raising the matzah and saying in one voice: Ha lachma anya… This is the bread...
by katie@betalef.org | Mar 29, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Tazria: Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59 “The Sacred Time of Giving Birth” This week’s Torah portion begins with: The Eternal One spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the Israelite people thus: When a woman at childbirth bears a male, she shall be impure...
by katie@betalef.org | Mar 23, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Sh’mini: Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 “Joy and the Possibility of Forgiveness” The inaugural ceremony of the Tabernacle’s dedication and the ordination of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood which began with last week’s Torah portion,...
