HEARING THE CALL Our parasha this week begins with the powerful words: Vayikra El Moshe – And He called to Moses…. [Vayikra 1:1] The Torah records three distinct occasions when G-d “calls” out to Moses, each marking the beginning of a momentous task. The first occurs at the burning bush. While shepherding the flocks of his father-in-law, Jethro, Moses arrives at Mount Horeb (otherwise known as Sinai), where a strange sight captures his attention: a bush is engulfed in flames, yet is not being destroyed. He steps forward to investigate this paradox. At that moment, he hears his first divine...

SPRING BLOSSOMS The other day, my niece came round to visit. We proudly showed her our magnolia tree which is in full and majestic blossom. Gazing in awe at its magnificence, she asked if we would mind if she hugged the tree! Putting her arms around its gnarled wide girth, she explained that physically connecting to a tree with its deep roots, endurance and resilience, gave her a sense of calm, serenity and gratitude. We all stood under the immense pale pink cloud of magnolia blossom, united, each in our own way, in our appreciation of the incredible world G-d...

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 of the golden calf, when the Israelites gathered at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. The Mishkan, with the Ark in the Holy of Holies, was meant to be a constant, tangible reminder of G-d’s presence, echoing the revelation at Sinai. However, after the Israelites...

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 third floor. I stood, aghast, wondering how the driver, a middle-aged Russian oleh barely over five feet tall, would get the fridge up all those stairs without a lift. Could I offer to help? Should I? I would probably do my back in! Before I...