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Parashat Emor - Leviticus 21:1-24:23 Offering Our Best Parashat Emor is a continuation of Parashat Kedoshim in that it resumes outlining the parameters of holiness, but this time it is directed toward the priestly service. Chapter twenty-two begins to detail the laws pertaining to voluntary offerings. In this section we have a few interesting laws describing restrictions for these sacrifices. And although they are specifically in regard to voluntary or freewill offerings, the principles are applied to any and all offerings. The first principle is that an unfit animal may not be used as a sacrifice. Since we do not have a functioning Beit Hamikdash today, this principle can often be lost in a modern context, even though one may have an understanding of this law in theory. Let’s explore this principle. In times when the Holy Temple is functioning the supplicant was required to bring the very best of his herd or flock as his offering. He may not bring an animal that is blemished: read more »	Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim - Leviticus 16:1-20:27 The Four Prohibitions After detailing the instructions for the Yom Kippur service, the parashot of Acharei Mot and Kedoshim then hit a series of seemingly unrelated topics concerning a number of different things. For the contemporary reader, particularly to those of us from among the nations, these strange regulations seem completely out of the realm our modern lives. Outside of the obvious ethical principles of forbidden sexual relationships, what possible relevance do these seemingly antiquated ritual concerns have for us today? read more »
Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim - Leviticus 16:1-20:27 This week’s double portion of Acharei Mot and Kedoshim covers a lot of ground in a small amount of space. It covers the ritual of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), restrictions on where and how sacrifices can be made, proscriptions for the resident alien, a list of prohibited sexual relations, a stern reminder about honoring one’s parents, issues of social justice, a detailed explanation of how to love one’s neighbor, and a miscellaneous list of other commandments ranging from agricultural laws to prohibitions against sorcery and child sacrifice. Needless to say, there is a lot to absorb in this week’s dosage of Torah. Let’s take a look at one concept associated with Yom Kippur. read more »	Parashat Tazria-Metzora - Leviticus 12:1-15:33 This week’s Torah portion discusses two topics largely skipped over by Bibles students today: the laws of purification after child birth and biblical leprosy. These two topics are a typical cross-section of the various topics covered by the book of Leviticus and why it is largely avoided by even the most serious students of the Scriptures. However, since the LORD considered these topics important enough to populate the Holy Scriptures, we would do well to at least familiarize ourselves with them. Let’s take a brief look at the topic of biblical leprosy. read more »
Parashat Tazria-Metzora - Leviticus 12:1-15:33 The Leper Messiah Parashat Tazria begins by discussing the purification rituals of childbirth and then quickly moves into the complicated laws of biblical leprosy. As we have discussed previously, biblical leprosy is not your standard pathological disorder, but rather an affliction that is spiritual in nature. This ancient malady does not exist today, but we read about cases of its appearance during the biblical period. And although it wasn’t contagious in the manner of a bacterial or viral infection, it could be transmitted from one person to another. The leper was to remain isolated the entire duration of his affliction: read more »	Parashat Shemini - Leviticus 9:1-11:47 Parashat Shemini contains the primary passages in the Torah that spell out the laws of kashrut, laws pertaining to clean and unclean foods. It is entirely in regard to animals. It defines which animals may be eaten by the Children of Israel and which animals may not be eaten. Many modern-day readers quickly dismiss these laws as antiquated, irrelevant, and having been repealed in the New Testament. However, these attitudes do not reflect those of Yeshua or the Apostles. Let’s briefly review what the Torah says about food and then look at one implication for us today. read more »

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