Many years ago, while teaching an adult education class, the topic we were studying was pushing someone’s buttons. We were discussing the underpinnings of the mitzvah of respect for one’s … more

In its description of the Jubilee year, the Torah tell us in 25:9 that the shofar is to be sounded throughout the land on Yom Kippur of Yovel.  Noting how we don’t blow shofar when Shabbos … more

Sefer Vayikra is the sole book in the Tanach in which the phrase “v’yarata m’elokecha” (“and you shall fear your G-d”) is found. It appears three times in Parashat … more

One of the most unusual textual juxtapositions in parasha Emor occurs at the onset of the Torah’s discussion of the mo’adim (festivals) (Vayikra, chapter 23): “And the L-rd spoke to … more

One of the more blatant ways in which the Torah indicates an anti-cruelty manner of behavior is in the rule of “oto v’et b’no” which creates an awareness that an animal and … more

On a visit to the synagogue of the Maharal of Prague (Rav Meir Leibush Lowe, known as the Altneu Shul), you will immediately notice its most distinctive feature: with the exception of some Hebrew … more

Rabbi Chiya, in Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 24:5, teaches us that our parasha was taught to the entire nation (b’hakhal) “since the majority of the Torah’s fundamental principles may be … more

This week’s parsha contains a mitzvah that addresses the punishment to be placed upon those who curse their parents. This reference (Chapter 20 verse 9) seems to be a repeat from Shmot … more

The prohibition of imbibing blood is one of the well-known mitzvot found in our parasha (Vayikra 17:10-11). In it we find the unusual expression, v’natati panai, which is explained by both … more

G-d instructs Moshe to tell the people about the importance of observing His statutes and laws: “Keep My decrees and laws that a person can do — and live with them. For I am … more