Pinhas (Num 25:10-30:1) is both one of my favorite and least favorite readings all in one. It starts with the death of Zimri and Cozbi, the Simeonite prince and Midianite princess that Phineas violently kills to avert G!d’s rage from the Israelites’ “whoring” after Baal Peor. I’m used the David Alter translation of the Five [...]
Tazria-Metzora (Leviticus 12:1-15:33) This is such a challenging and strange portion. Most women recoil at the idea of being “impure” because they gave birth. The entire passage deals with what is and isn’t “tamei” and how to deal with a variety of afflictions called “tzaraat.” One of the first things I always think of when [...]
In reading Yitro (Ex 18:1-20:23) this week several things struck me. I did a bit of a double-take with Tzipporah’s reappearance. What happened to here? Where did she go? We last saw her in Ex 4:25, which is the infamous “bridegroom of blood” passage where she circumcises her son. As far as I can tell, [...]
Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1 – 40:23)
I had to run and grab a notebook while reading this week’s portion. I didn’t think I’d be able to keep the train of thought if I just read all the way through. It’s one of the reasons I love Genesis — there’s just so much depth. Vayeshev is another jam-packed story. It’s the first [...]
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