The Torah describes the primary role of sacrifices, namely to reinforce the relationship with God through the Olah, the burnt sacrifice. Then it goes on describe the process in general, the animals, the procedure. From there it goes on to list personal obligations, the Sin Offerings. For when we do things wrong and need to recognize our faults in a…
Author: Jeremy Rosen
A man, A Soul, Nefesh Adam
The Torah starts off describing the sacrificial system by saying “Adam ki Yakriv.” A man (a person, it includes all sexes) who brings a sacrifice. Later on, when talking about a meal offering and then a sin offering, it says “Nefesh Ki Yakriv.” A soul who sacrifices. What is the difference between Adam and Nefesh? There is a debate elsewhere…
Human Sacrifice
Human sacrifice was common throughout the ancient world from Greece to India and beyond. Judaism strongly opposed it. Even so traces can be found both in regard to Abraham’s test and examples in the Books of Kings of human sacrifice by Israel’s neighbors. Similarly, resurrection after death, a staple of contemporary cultures, only appears explicitly much later in Judaism in…
Fasting on the 9th of Av
The fast of the Ninth of Av, Tisha B’Av, falls this coming Monday night and Tuesday. All other so-called “minor fasts” in Judaism run from dawn to dusk—like Ramadan. Unlike Ramadan, which lasts for a month, we have many fewer fast days. But we also have two fasts during the year that run for over 24 hours—Yom Kippur and Tisha…
Creation and the Tabernacle
As we come to the end of Exodus we complete the narrative and description of the Tabernacle. The language the Torah uses surprisingly resonates with the language of Creation. In both cases the Torah uses similar phrases “And He saw the work that had been done,” (39.4) “And the work was completed,” (39.32 & 40.33) “And He blessed them,” (39.43).…
How Many Tents?
The Book of Exodus ends with a confusing paragraph. The Tabernacle has been built and dedicated. The Divine Cloud descends on the Tent of Meeting and the Glory of God fills the Tabernacle. Moshe could not enter the Tent of Meeting and God filled the Tabernacle. And the Children of Israel would only continue their travels when the clouds lifted.…