Parashat Ki Tisa: Golden Calf
Ki-Tisa (“When You Elevate”) opens as God tells Moses to collect a half-shekel donation from all Israelites and to anoint the Mishkan (Tabernacle), its vessels, and the priests. The Israelites worship the golden calf and Moses breaks the tablets. Moses beseeches God to forgive, and returns with a second set of tablets.
Parashat Tetzaveh: Priestly Garments
Parashat Tetzaveh reports God’s commands to bring olive oil for the lamp (מְנוֹרָה, Menorah), make sacred garments for the priests, conduct an ordination ceremony, and make an incense altar.
Parashat Terumah: Tabernacle Plans
Terumah (“Donation”) opens as God tells Moses to collect donated materials in order to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan (Tabernacle). God describes how to build the vessels that will fill the Mishkan – including the ark, table, menorah, and sacrificial altar – as well as the Mishkan’s walls and curtains.
Parashat Mishpatim: Laws and Justice
Parashat Mishpatim sets out a series of laws, which some scholars call the Covenant Code. It reports the people’s acceptance of the covenant with God.
Parashat Yitro: Revelation at Sinai
The parasha tells of Yitro’s (Jethro’s) organizational counsel to Moses and God’s revelation of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
Parashat Beshalach: Crossing the Sea
In Parashat Beshalach, Pharaoh changes his mind and chases after the Israelite people with his army, trapping them at the Sea of Reeds.
Parashat Bo: Exodus and Plagues
Parashat Bo marks the crescendo of plagues, the birth of Passover, and the Exodus, epitomizing divine justice, liberation, and transformation.
Parashat Va’era: Plagues Begin
Parashat Vaera tells of the first seven Plagues of Egypt.
Parashat Haazinu
The majority of the Torah portion Haazinu (“Listen In”) is made up of a 70-line “song” that Moses sang to the Israelites on his last day on earth.
My 515 Prayers
וָאֶתְחַנַּ֖ן אֶל־יְיָ בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִ֖יא – I was pleading with God at that time… That sentence always struck me as very personal. Its first word gives the Parasha its name, which is the only one spoken in first person (VaEra is a quote of God addressing Moshe). Those few words are heartbreaking because we have learned […]
