Parshat Shemini Leviticus 9:1–11:47 By Torah Blogger, Jen Smith Parashat Shemini is a Torah portion full of contrasts, joy and grief, purity and danger, and divine presence and human frailty. It begins with one of the most transcendent moments in the Torah: the consecration of the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary tabernacle. After months of preparation, […]

Parashat Vayikra Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26 The Quiet Call to Bloom By Torah Blogger, Jen Smith “Vayikra el Moshe…” “And [God] called to Moses…” (Leviticus 1:1) This calling takes place not in a palace or a grand sanctuary, but from the Tent of Meeting – a simple, portable structure in the wilderness. And the Hebrew […]

Pekudei Exodus 38:21 – 40:38  By Jen Smith  This week we read Parashat Pekudei, the final Torah portion in the book of Exodus. On the surface, it appears rather dry – full of detailed lists, materials, measurements, and inventories related to the construction of the Mishkan (tabernacle), the portable sanctuary built by the Israelites in […]

Vayakhel Exodus 35:1 – 38:20 By Jen Smith Parshat Vayakhel opens with Moses gathering the entire community of Israel (Vayakhel means “he assembled”) to instruct them on building the Mishkan (tabernacle), the sacred dwelling place of God. Every Israelite was called upon to contribute in whatever way they could: those who were wealthy donated gold […]

Ki Tisa Exodus 30:11–34:35  By Jen Smith  Parashat Ki Tisa is a spiritual rollercoaster full of drama, intensity, and some seriously high-stakes moments; from the infamous Golden Calf idolatry debacle, Moses shattering the stone tablets in frustration, his audacious request to see God’s full essence, and the dramatic renewal of the covenant between God and […]

Tetzaveh Exodus 27:20 – 30:10  By Jen Smith  Imagine opening a book where the main character – our hero, our guiding force – suddenly vanishes from the page. Not a single mention. Not even a whisper of his name. That’s exactly what happens in Parashat Tetzaveh – the only Torah portion, from the moment Moses […]