Sefer Shemot Archives | Page 2 of 21 | Academy for Jewish Religion

18 02, 2025

Parashat Mishpatim – 5785

By Marisa Amith|2025-02-20T14:34:44-05:00February 18, 2025|

Promises, Promises

A D’var Torah for Parashat Mishpatim

By Rabbi Greg Schindler (AJR ’09)

While last week’s Torah portion is so famous that they made a movie about it (something with Charlton Heston), this week’s parsha – Mishpatim or “Laws” – has a very different flavor. This week, we get – count ‘em – 53 different laws on a vast array of topics. They include the treatment of servants, betrothal of handmaidens, insults, injuries, theft, loans, false witnesses, bribery, return of lost animals, land usage, festivals and many more.

Then, after 80-something verses of laws, we get the following line

(Exod 23:18-20 ): https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.23.18-20?lang=bi&aliyot=0–

“I am going to send an angel before you to protect you on the way, and to bring you to the place that I have designated.”

Wait…what?!

You’re sending an angel before us? Where did that come from? It’s like reading the U.S. Federal Tax Code and coming across a line from Harry Potter.

Now that it has our attention, the Read More >

10 02, 2025

Parashat Yitro – 5785

By Marisa Amith|2025-02-10T13:05:49-05:00February 10, 2025|

In this week's Torah portion, Rabbi Susan Elkodsi sees Yitro's advice to Moses as a reminder that strong and effective leaders also need to care for their own wellbeing.

4 02, 2025

By Marisa Amith|2025-02-04T10:58:38-05:00February 4, 2025|

In this week’s D’var Torah, Cantor Robin Anne Joseph wonders (with apologies for the gender specificity) if “to know, know, know Him is to love, love, love Him.”

30 01, 2025

Parashat Bo – 5785

By Marisa Amith|2025-01-30T09:33:22-05:00January 30, 2025|

As I watched live the final episode of “Kochav haba LeEurovision” and witnessed the elegant sensitivity with which they crafted this joyous occasion with the reiterated references to the last almost sixteen months that the hostages have been in captivity, I couldn’t avoid thinking of Naomi Shemer’s song “BeDamaikh Hayi”

17 01, 2025

Parashat Shemot 5785

By Linda Ripps|2025-01-17T10:08:35-05:00January 17, 2025|

Parashat Shemot, is the first parashah in the book of Exodus, whose name is also Shemot, which literally means names. In this parashah we read of the birth of Moses. Not taking anything away from Moses – or from his father, whom we’ll get to in a moment – I would like us to keep in mind that Moses’ birth, and his very survival, were made possible by a few brave and fearless women!!

13 03, 2024

Parashat Pekudei 5784

By Linda Ripps|2024-03-13T16:31:15-04:00March 13, 2024|

The portion Pikudei includes the action of building the mishkan, the portable sanctuary in the desert and the making of the vestments for the high priest.

5 03, 2024

Parashat VaYakhel 5784

By Linda Ripps|2024-03-05T10:46:32-05:00March 5, 2024|

In challenging times, how do we stay strong and sustain our spirits? When I am in need of sustenance for my soul, I find myself turning to stories of people who retained faith, hope and their humanity in the most horrific times and circumstances. A midrash on this week’s parashah, VaYakhel, imagines such a story. It is a story of women, from the ancient narrative of our people’s enslavement in Egypt.

27 02, 2024

Parashat Ki Tissa 5784

By Linda Ripps|2024-02-27T12:25:48-05:00February 27, 2024|

We are living in a time when good leadership is hard to find.

19 02, 2024

Parashat Tetzaveh -5784

By Linda Ripps|2024-02-19T11:37:20-05:00February 19, 2024|

A first or even a second reading of the text of Parashat Tetzaveh doesn’t begin to reveal the nuances, the implications, the messages of what might otherwise sound like elaborate but formulaic instructions for how to light the lights and for how to dress the priests. Instead, we can learn so much from the choice of words and from the message behind the words which inform our lives to the present day. Reflecting on God’s instructions to us as we struggled to become a nation was a learning curve - then and now.

12 02, 2024

Parashat Terumah 5784

By Linda Ripps|2024-02-12T12:14:38-05:00February 12, 2024|

We have been freed from the bondage and oppressive servitude under Pharaoh. We have crossed the narrow passageway of the Reed Sea to freedom in the wilderness. We have stood at Sinai and entered into a covenant with God, saying “Na’aseh v’Nishmah” – We will follow God’s ways and seek to understand them. And, now, in this week’s Torah portion, God tells Moses to collect terumah – gifts of materials and supplies from the Israelites “[a]nd let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” [Exodus 25:8] A list [Exodus 25:3-7] has been delineated: from precious metals to precious stones, an array of yarns to animal skins and goat hair, wood, oil and spices… All of this to be brought as terumah from each person whose heart so moves them;

All shall unite to do God's will with an open heart.

All shall unite to do God's will with an open heart.

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