The beginning of our parasha, Emor, focuses on a variety of laws that pertain solely to the kohanim. From a purely juridical perspective, they have little to do with the majority of the Jewish … more

One of the questions which gets much emphasis nowadays is whether the Torah discriminates against kohanim who have some kind of deformity, blemish, or disability. This is an outcome of looking at the … more

In describing the Yom Kippur service, the Torah tells us that “with this shall Aharon enter the Holy, with a bull that is ben bakar as a sin offering, and a ram as a burnt offering.” … more

The phrase in parashat Kedoshim, “and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Sefer Vayikra 19:18), is one of the most often-quoted verses in the Torah. Unfortunately, its popularity … more

Our parish contains a pasuk (verse) that references the mitzvah of brit milah: “And on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (Vayikra 12:3) … more

In September 2000, in the wake of the second intifada, my unit was activated up as part of the massive call-up of reserves that occurred as fighting broke out all over the country. We had no idea how … more

Everyone knows that the Bris Milah, the Covenant of Circumcision, dates back to the covenant forged between G-d and Abraham, covering chapter 17 of Bereshit. … more

The untimely and supernatural death of Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, is one of the focal points of Shemini, this week’s parasha. Following this narrative passage, we are met with two … more

What brought about the deaths of Aharon’s older sons in this week’s parsha, Shmini? Most discussions analyze the specific nature of the particular service they were performing. Were they … more

Sunday is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Any serious student of history will recognize that there are moments, all too rare, when a door stands open, waiting for a person, a people, or … more