 Leviticus 25:1-26:2 Parashat Behar begins, "The LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying..." We get the name of the parashah from this opening line. The word behar, in Hebrew, means "on the mountain." But why do we need to know this information? Didn't all of the commandments and instructions given by Moses originate at Sinai when he was given the Torah in its entirety? Why hasn't the Torah reiterated this fact prior to our current reading? Why do we need to be reminded of this obvious fact? |
 Distinct & Set ApartParashat Emor begins where last week's parasha (Kedoshim) left off in its description of holiness and how Israel is to be a set-apart and distinct people. Emor continues this theme of distinction by describing how the kohanim (priests) had various restrictions and parameters that were even greater than the Children of Israel in general. For instance, while it was common for an Israelite to become unclean-keep in mind that being unclean in most cases had nothing to do with sin-a kohen was not permitted to become unclean through a corpse in most instances. The kohen gadol (the high priest) was restricted even further than his priestly brethren to show his distinct position of service among them. Whereas the Children of Israel were to be distinct among the peoples of the earth, the kohanim were to be distinct among the Children of Israel, and the kohen gadol was to be distinct among the kohanim. |
 Parashat Metzorah (Leviticus 14:1-15:33)The first full chapter in Parashat Metzora is a continuation of the instructions regarding the metzora (the person who has tzara’at—biblical leprosy) from our previous portion, Parashat Tazria. In both of these readings our modern senses are immediately assaulted. Why do we read chapter after chapter of gross, or even embarrassing, details of skin diseases and bodily functions? After all, we live in a modern world where all of those type of things are handled privately and confidentially with one’s medical practitioner. Why are these detailed and meticulous laws concerning tzara’at important? They are actually a reminder of God’s great compassion. How so? |
 Parashat Tazria (Leviticus 12:1-13:59)In Parashat Tazria we are introduced to a skin disease of biblical proportions called tzara’at. Most people know it as biblical leprosy. However, as we mentioned in our previous commentary on this portion, it is completely unrelated to what we now know as leprosy. Tzara’at is a malady that affects not only the skin, but can also affect clothing, and the walls of a person’s home. It could begin as a moldy looking spot on a person’s house and end up as scab-looking blotches on his skin. As we discovered, the primary way tzara’at was contracted was through lashon hara (evil speech). A person who continually gossiped and spoke destructive words about others would eventually become afflicted with this disease. |
 This week’s Torah reading is not only the source for the Torah’s dietary laws, but it also records the very first service of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. It was a time unprecedented in human history when the very presence of the LORD rested upon a physical structure created by the labor of man. But unfortunately, there was a horrible tragedy that took place immediately after this event. Two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, enjoyed the presence of the LORD so much that they wanted to recreate it. They entered the the sanctuary with incense and “unauthorized fire” in order to experience this exhilarating event a second time. Rather than being enrapturing, however, the results were disastrous: |
 Parashat Shemini covers the inauguration procedures for the service of the Tabernacle, as well as the dietary laws that spell out which animals are fit for consumption. Sandwiched between these topics we learn about a tragic event that results in the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. They attempt to approach Hashem on their own terms by bringing “unauthorized fire” into the presence of the Holy One of Israel. The event that follows is horrific. The Torah tells us, “Fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD” (Leviticus 10:2). |
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