Behar-Bechukotai

Parshat Behar-Bechukotai emphasizes the strong and unbreakable bond between the Jewish people, God and the land of Israel. One key word is a reminder that even with Israel’s imperfections, we need to convey our commitment to Zionism with pride and confidence. Vayikra 26 contains the wondrous blessings and the harsh curses which will come our…

Emor: Exposure to Violence

“Hate is contagious… Ultimately hate is both destructive and self-destructive.” – Elie Wiesel It is difficult not to feel shaken by the hate and violence we have been exposed to this past week. Fittingly, Parshat Emor offers a framework for understanding the contagious nature of hate – and the responsibility it places on us to…

Acharei Mot-Kedoshim: True Holiness

The book of Vayikra teaches about holiness – of place, through the Mishkan, and of time, through Shabbat and the festivals. Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim introduces another powerful dimension: kedusha is accessible to every person. How? The command “Kedoshim tihiyu” (“You shall be holy”) is followed by interpersonal mitzvot, teaching that holiness is achieved through how…

Tazria-Metzora: Repairing our Home and Homeland

There is an unusual phenomenon described in Parshat Tazria–Metzora: a plague of tzara’at affecting one’s home. According to the Talmud, this never actually occurred, and was recorded in the Torah so that we might gain merit through its study. Yet if a plague on an individual home was meant to teach a lesson, perhaps –…

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About Me

I’m Karen Miller Jackson, a certified Matan Morah l’Halakha, Jewish educator and writer. Welcome to my blog which provides Torah from a woman’s perspective for modern, busy people. To subscribe via email please sign up or by whatsapp here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CKLpCygJaBf20sKbNmRV1u