LUXURIES AND NECESSITIES Why does the Torah devote so much detail to the construction of the Mishkan (the mobile Temple)? This is now the fourth consecutive Torah portion dedicated to its design and construction. Ramban (d. 1270) explains that there were actually two distinct commandments to build the Mishkan. The first came before the sin...
HEAVY LIFTING When Rachie and I were first married, we lived in Jerusalem while I was studying at the Mir Yeshiva. One day, I arrived at an apartment building to visit a friend. At the same time, a van pulled up, and the driver proceeded to unload a fridge destined for a resident on the...
THE RADIANCE OF EXCELLENCE In the latest of a series of claims extolling the virtues of olive oil consumption, an article recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported benefits to brain health, reducing the risk of dementia. Olive oil makes the headlines in this week’s parasha too. It begins with the...
GOING THROUGH THE DOOR At the beginning of our parasha, a curious law is described. A Hebrew slave who has served his six-year term is entitled to go free. If he chooses to remain in servitude, however, he must have his ear pierced. After the judges confirm that this is genuinely his wish, “his master...
JEWS AND GENTILES This week, a remarkable encounter took place at Buckingham Palace. It was the final stage of a conference between Muslim and Jewish leaders that had started at Dumlanrig Castle in Scotland. The summit culminated in the Dumlanrig Accord, a declaration promoting mutual respect and collaboration. Dr. Sayed Razawi, a senior Shia cleric,...
