The Seasons of God

Jul 10, 2015 By Nancy Abramson | Commentary | Pinehas

Parashat Pinehas is one of several instances in the Torah in which the holidays and their sacrifices are described. In Leviticus, we read the verse, 鈥淭hese are the fixed seasons of God, which you shall proclaim as sacred occasions;鈥� (23:4) a prelude to the descriptions of festival practices with particular emphasis on the offerings made by the kohanim (priests). Here in Pinehas, the Torah lays out the religious calendar as a catalogue of these public sacrifices (Num. 28:1鈥�29:39), which forms the maftir Torah reading for each festival.

Between Tum’ah and Tohorah

Apr 2, 2011 By Marc Wolf | Commentary | Shabbat Hahodesh | Tazria

It seems more than kismet that Passover falls when it does, following on the heels of the parashiyot of Leviticus in which we discuss the most base of subjects. In fact, rabbis and commentators through the ages have found the laws of tum’ah and tohorah (ritual impurity and purity) covered in these weeks before Passover so unsettling that, presumably in reaction, they have enthusiastically embraced the following statement from the Talmud: “Questions are asked and lectures are given on the laws of Passover beginning thirty days before” (BT Pesachim 6a). Surely, this is an avoidance tactic on the part of rabbis, but maybe it is also for the sake of the community鈥攖o save them from many discussions that would make them lose their appetites for the kiddush that follows services.

The Origins of a Nation

Apr 23, 2011 By Marc Wolf | Commentary | Pesah

As we set our tables and prepare for our seders, we cannot help but hear the echoes of our journey from persecution to freedom amplified in the headlines. Our holiday of Hodesh Ha’aviv鈥攖he “Month of the Spring”鈥攃omes at a time when the ripple effects of what has been dubbed the Arab Spring are just beginning to be felt.