Stories We Tell: The Bird Catcher
Stories We Tell: Get Up and Go Early
Accepting Advice From Your Father-in-Law
This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Yitro, is remarkable. Only six Torah portions (out of a total of 54) are named for one of the individuals advancing the drama within its text. ... And this portion is named for Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro (Yitro) — a non-Israelite, Midianite priest. In the portion, Yitro offers sage advice and Moses accepts it.
Stories We Tell: What it Takes to Get in
The Act of Listening
Chapter 10 of Leviticus provides us with an extraordinary example of human growth. At the beginning of the parashah, Moses exercises his leadership by overseeing the ordination of Aaron and his sons and then supervising the sacrifices for which they are responsible.
We Are What We Eat
Focal Point
Any animal that has true hoofs, with clefts through the hoofs, and that chews the cud-such you may eat. . . . And the swine-although it has true hoofs, with the hoofs cleft through, it does not chew the cud: it is impure for you. (Leviticus 11:3, 11:7)
Why Should God Care About What We Eat?
What can God be thinking?
In this week's Torah portion, Moses is told--of all things--what the Israelites should and should not eat. Why should the Creator of the universe care?
What Happens in the Body Stays in the Body - A Guide for When it Doesn’t
The first chapter of this double portion, chapter 12 of Leviticus, is perplexing. It seems to stand by itself.