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The Menorah. The Bread. The Blasphemer. Other Laws. The Menorah G-d instructs Moshe regarding the lighting of the lamps of the Menorah. He tells him to relate all of this to the Israelites. Olive trees are harvested three times per year. The first harvest is for the olives at the top of the tree whichContinue reading “Emor, 7th Aliya”

Sukkos G-d instructs Moshe regarding the holiday of Sukkos. He says that the holiday of Sukkos should be celebrated for a seven day period beginning on the 15th of the month of Tishrei. During these seven days, the Israelites are to live in booths. These booths signify the clouds of glory that protected the IsraelitesContinue reading “Emor, 6th Aliya”

Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur Rosh HaShanah G-d tells Moshe to instructor the Israelites regarding the Rosh Hashanah holiday. He says that the first day of the seventh month (i.e. Tishrei) should serve as a rest day for them on which they should recite: Verses which recall G-d’s memory of his mercy towards Creation andContinue reading “Emor, 5th Aliya”

Jewish Holidays. Omer and Other Pesach Offerings. Pe’ah. Jewish Holidays G-d tells Moshe to instruct the entire Israelite nation* that their courts must establish a calendar to calculate the dates of the festivals and include a thirteenth month for a leap year to allow for Jews who live outside of Jerusalem to have enough timeContinue reading “Emor, 4th Aliya”

Blemished Animals and Other Laws Regarding Animal Offerings Blemished Animals as Offerings G-d tells Moshe to relay to Aaron the following stipulations regarding animals which may be brought as sacrificial offerings: Animals brought for offerings must be desirable, i.e. that will serve as an appeasement to G-d. This means an unblemished male cow, sheep orContinue reading “Emor, 3rd Aliya”

Blemished and Impure Kohanim. Eating from Terumah G-d tells Moshe to relate several laws which apply exclusively to Kohanim to Aaron. Moshe in turn relates all of these not only to Aaron but to Aaron’s sons and the Israelite nation as a whole so that the courts of law would hold the Kohanim accountable forContinue reading “Emor, 2nd Aliya”

Priestly Laws Laws for Kohanim G-d tells Moshe to tell the Kohanim, and the Kohanim must in turn tell their children (i.e. the Kohanim who are minors) that they may not become impure through coming into contact with a dead person. Rashi brings down a few stipulations as to whom this commandment applies to: IfContinue reading “Emor, 1st Aliya”

Adultery and Other Laws When Acharei Mot are read separately, the 6th Aliya of Kedoshim begins here. G-d communicates more laws: Anyone who curses their father or mother (whether the parent be alive or dead) will be put to death by stoning*. Such a person caused their own death. *Side note: Any place in scriptureContinue reading “Acharei Mot – Kedoshim, 7th Aliya”

Converts. Business Ethics. Idolatry When Acharei Mot are read separately, the 4th Aliya of Kedoshim begins here. How to Treat Converts Do not verbally harass a convert who lives in your midst, saying things like, “Just yesterday you were worshiping idols and now you are keeping Torah?” You should treat and love converts just asContinue reading “Acharei Mot – Kedoshim, 6th Aliya”

Miscellaneous Laws When Acharei Mot are read separately, the 2nd Aliya of Kedoshim starts here. This aliya contains more decrees from G-d: A judge must judge justly. He may not show favoritism for a poor man, meaning he may not judge out of pity for him, thinking that if he rules in favor of theContinue reading “Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, 5th Aliya”