Parashat Tazria-Metzora: Turning lemons into lemonade
These parashot deal at length with a unique phenomenon described in the Torah – tzara’at, which are marks or changes that appear on the walls of a house, on clothing, or on the body.
Parashat Shmini: Guarding a pure heart
The Hebrew word timtum means “blockage” or “dullness.” Forbidden foods can lead to this blockage – to emotional numbness and a diminished ability to perceive spiritual depth.
Passover Seder night: The deeper meaning of matzah and the urgency of the Exodus
“When a mitzvah comes to your hand, do not let it ‘become leavened.’”
Parashat Tzav: True freedom begins in the mind, not in physical circumstance
Shabbat Hagadol is a time of inner preparation for the Festival of Freedom. On this Shabbat, we begin to think and act from a broader perspective.
Parashat Vayikra: Mutual responsibility
Vayikra’s message of purity, repentance, and unity teaches that even without sacrifices, we can draw closer to God and to one another.
Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei: Wisdom of the wise
“Give to the wise, and he will become yet wiser.”
Parashat Ki Tisa: Sin of the golden calf and the test of patience
Impatience at Sinai led to the golden calf, teaching that true faith and redemption demand patience, not glittering shortcuts.
Parashat Zachor: Remembering Amalek in every generation
Amalek exploits spiritual weakness; Parashat Zachor calls on us to strengthen our identity and faith in every generation.
Parashat Teruma: Sanctifying the heart
Each person is a walking Temple; each has the power to build a dwelling place for the Creator of the world within his or her heart.
Parashat Mishpatim: All or nothing
Loyalty to a path means saying, “I belong. Sometimes I will fail, sometimes I will err, but I am all in.” This is completely different from saying “I like this, but I don’t like that.”
