Tearing a Hole in Being
At the end of Parashat Emor, a disturbing incident is related. In the heat of a fight, a man curses God and is stoned to death for blasphemy (Leviticus 24:10-23). It is understandable that readers may be repulsed by this narrative, and shocked and angry to find it in the Torah.
Emor for Tots
The Eternal One spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: These are My fixed times, the fixed times of the Eternal, which you shall proclaim as sacred occasions."
-Leviticus 23:1-2
Sometimes We Are Jonah
Every Yom Kippur afternoon, congregations all over the world read the Book of Jonah, as set out for us in the Babylonian Talmud, M'gillah 31a. Most people believe that this haftarah is chosen because it models complete repentance.
Voices of Torah / Yom HaKippurim
Decades ago, Rabbi Jack Reimer explained Yom Kippur for me this way. It's not saying: I'm sorry I was bad and I won't do it again. That's only a Sunday school, superficial expression of something much deeper and spiritually far more important.
B'midbar for Tots
Explore B'midbar with questions and ideas for parents and their children on the topic of names, how we get them, and what they mean.
On the Book of Ruth
The Book of Ruth, which appears in the third section of the Hebrew Bible, K'tuvim, Writings, is a beautiful folktale written in four short chapters.
Acharei Mot for Tweens
Learn about the the portion that describes the ancient observance of Yom Kippur in this fun tween-friendly discussion guide.
Yom Kippur for Tweens
Want to know more about the Torah? Find out about the biblical background of Yom Kippur with Torah for Tweens!