Messages from February 2016

Rabbi O’s Weekly: Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35) Lessons from the Golden Calf and Bob Newhart

February 25, 2016
Exodous
Ki Tisa

The sin of the Golden Calf is one of the great enigmas of the Torah. The age old question—how could the same people who witnessed the Ten Plagues, the Splitting of the Sea, and national revelation at Sinai recklessly ignore G-d and pray to an idol—has many answers and there is one theme common to […]

Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10) Diamond in the rough

February 19, 2016
Exodous
Tetzaveh

You shall place both stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, remembrance stones for the Children of Israel. (Exodus 28:12) Moses was commanded to make garments for the Cohen Gadol-‘high priest’. Included in these was a piece of clothing similar to an apron called the ephod. It had two shoulder straps and held precious […]

Weekly Torah Portion: Termua (Exodus 25:1-27:19) Giving Your Favorite Florist Roses; A Jewish Message

February 18, 2016
Exodous
Terumah

The Torah reading this week gives the instructions for building the Mishkan (Tabernacle), a portable sanctuary (i.e .spiritual center) in the midst of the desert; it was the place where the Divine Presence would rest wherever the Jews happened to be. They took it with them throughout their 40 year stay in the desert and […]