Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The laws mentioned above apply to fields and homes in un-walled cities. Homes in walled cities, on the other hand, may only be redeemed up to one year after the sale; otherwise they become the permanent property of the buyer. Another exception to these rules is the property allotted to the Levites, which are always redeemable. We are commanded to assist our brethren by coming to their aid before they become financially ruined and dependent on the help of others. We are also forbidden from charging interest on a loan to a fellow Jew.

The pasuk says that YOU SHOULD NOT LEND YOUR MONEY WITH INTEREST. The word here is B'NESHECH, which also means WITH A BITE. A Jew who lends money to his fellow should do it with an open heart and a pleasant disposition, and not be snappy or curt with the recipient. The Torah repeatedly shows us the compassion that G-d has for the down-trodden. He wants us to emulate those feelings. Giving is good. Helping others is good. But it must be with a pleasantness that will not hurt the feelings of the already disadvantaged.

One more step: Not only do our actions have to be proper, and not only do we have to speak pleasantly (including no dirty looks, raising of eyebrows, gestures, etc.), but we also must have proper thoughts. To lend a poor person money he needs, and even to behave properly, but to harbor a resentment or a condescending attitude in our minds, is improper. It might even be the worst part of the offense, since it is born of an incomplete belief that G-d is the Boss and calls the shots.

Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This Aliya addresses an obvious concern: "What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not sow our gather our grain?!" G‑d reassures us that He will bless the sixth year's harvest, and it will produce enough to provide for three years! The Torah then gives the rationale for the prohibition against selling land for perpetuity (instead, land can only be "leased" until the Jubilee year) -- "Because the Land belongs to Me; you are strangers and residents with Me." The seller of land, or his relative on his behalf, has the option of "redeeming" the land from the purchaser -- provided that two years have past from the date of purchase.

One commentator says that the passuk states that if someone were to ask what are we going to eat..., then G-d will command His blessing to give us an abundant yield. However, one should not ask. If we are completely faithful and believe without reservation or question that G- d will provide for us, then He won't have to command the blessing to come; it will happen as a natural reaction to that faith. This speaks to different levels of Emunah (faith).

Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: This week's double reading, Behar-Bechukotai, speaks about the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, laws regulating commerce and the redemption of slaves. It also contains a vivid description of the rewards for observing G‑d's commandments and the series of punishments that will befall us if we choose to disregard them. The Torah then discusses different types of gifts given to the Temple, and the animal tithe.

Aliya Summary: G‑d commands Moshe regarding the Sh'mitah (Sabbatical) and Jubilee years. Every seventh year is a Sabbatical year, when it is forbidden to work the land (in the Land of Israel). After seven sets of seven years a Jubilee year is proclaimed. During Jubilee years all the laws of the Sabbatical year apply, and, in addition to the Sabbatical laws, all slaves are set free and all lands revert to their original owners. We are commanded to conduct business ethically. Since all land reverts to their original owners during the Jubilee year, the amount of years remaining until the next Jubilee year must be taken into account whenever a real-estate sale is conducted, and the price should be set accordingly. The end of this aliyah enjoins us not to verbally harass or intentionally mislead our fellows.

Daily Aliya for Emor, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: We are instructed to use the purest of olive oils for the daily kindling of the Temple Menora, and to arrange twelve "showbreads" on the Temple Table every Shabbat. The Torah then tells the story of a Jewish man who was put to death for blaspheming G‑d. The portion concludes with the penalties for committing murder, property damages, and personal injury.

The juxtaposition of the Festivals and the lighting of the Menora as a hint to Chanukah, a festival marked by kindling the lights of the Chanukiya in commemoration of the rededication of the Temple. What makes the point stronger is the Torah's stress on the concept that the lights of the Menora are eternal through the generations. In fact, while the real Menorah of the Temple has not made it through the generations, the Chanuka lights have!

Daily Aliya for Emor, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The autumn holiday of Sukkot is now introduced. During this seven-day holiday we are commanded to sit in outdoor booths, take the Four Species (citron, palm branch, myrtles, and willows), and rejoice before G‑d. The final holiday is Shemini Atzeret, a one-day holiday which immediately follows Sukkot.


As the first major holiday of the Jewish year, it's important to establish the attitude that we appreciate the opportunities otherwise known as Mitzvot, and don't see them as a burden. As such, Shmini Atzeret is meant to inspire the desire to hold on to any opportunities for one more day, or as long as we can. It's not just a one-day holiday that ends Sukkot, it's a way of life!

Daily Aliya for Emor, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The High Holidays are discussed. We are commanded to hear the shofar (ram's horn) on Rosh Hashanah, and to "afflict" ourselves on Yom Kippur.

The last Passuk (verse) in this Aliya says "... from evening to evening, you should observe your Shabbat." From the unusual wording (evening to evening) the Gemara teaches us the concept of adding from one's weekday to Shabbat and Chag, both at its beginning and at its end. Our practice of counting the time from sunset to stars-out is part of this commandment, as are the additional minutes on both ends of Shabbat and Yom Tov.

Daily Aliya for Emor, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This Aliya begins a lengthy discussion about the Jewish holidays. After making brief mention of the Shabbat, the Torah talks about the holiday of Passover and the mitzvah of eating matzah. On the second day of this holiday, an "omer" barley offering is brought in the Temple. This is followed by a seven-week counting period that culminates with the holiday of Shavuot. After discussing the Shavuot Temple service, the Torah briefly interrupts the holiday discussion to mention the obligation, when harvesting fields, to leave certain gifts for the poor.

The Rambam and the Chinuch consider the counting of the Omer to be an independent mitzva which applies today.

Daily Aliya for Emor, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Blemished animals are disqualified for sacrificial use. This Aliya also forbids the castration of animals, sacrificing animals before they are eight days old, and slaughtering a mother animal and her child on the same day. The Aliya concludes with the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem, sanctifying G‑d's Name by giving one's life rather than transgressing certain cardinal sins.

We may not desecrate G-d's Name; we must sanctify His Name: These commandments have many facets. A Jew is required to give up their life rather than violate one of the "big three": murder, incest/adultery and idolatry. In times of "forced conversion", martyrdom is required even for the "smallest" violation.

Daily Aliya for Emor, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This Aliya discusses bodily blemishes and ritual impurities which disqualify a Kohen from performing the Temple priestly duties. The Aliya then lays down the rules regarding who in the Kohen's household may eat teruma, the tithe from produce given to the Kohanim.

Interesting point from ou.org: If a non-kohen eats Teruma (food meant for the kohen) intentionally, he is liable to "death penalty from heaven". The punishment for eating Tevel (food not yet processed/split up) is the same. Perhaps we have here examples of the opposite types of sin. The former sin involves eating something "too sacred" for the individual. The latter is a sin that involves the opposite - the Tevel is so profane without any "mitzvot" separated, no sanctifying acts having been done with it. Going beyond halachic limits in either direction is equally sinful.

Daily Aliya for Emor, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: This week's reading, Emor, discusses the laws which pertain to Kohanim (priests), and various laws which relate to sacrifices. These are followed by a lengthy discussion of the festivals. The Parsha concludes with the story of a blasphemer who was put to death.

Aliya Summary: The Aliya discusses the Kohen's obligation to maintain a high level of ritual purity, and the women he may marry. An ordinary Kohen is prohibited to come in contact with a human corpse -- except to attend the funerals of his next of kin -- and may not marry a divorcee as well as some other women. The High Priest is not permitted to attend even family funerals, and is required to marry a virgin.

Daily Aliya for Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The Torah sets the punishments for individuals who curse their parents and those who engage in prohibited sexual relations. We are instructed not to follow the customs and traditions of the heathens, and to be meticulous about eating only kosher foods. The Torah portion ends with an rejoinder that we be holy.

Notice the dual role that every Jew must play. We are each individuals and we are part of Klal Yisrael. We are exhorted to keep the Torah as individuals, but we are also "advised" to be faithful to G-d so that tragedies will not happen to the People of Israel as a whole.

Daily Aliya for Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: We are commandment to love converts. We are also enjoined to be truthful in business dealing by maintaining honest weights and measures. The Torah prescribes capital punishment for one who worships Molech; a form of idolatry which required human sacrifices. The Torah also describes the punishment which will befall the nation if they neglect to punish Molech worshippers.

Keep all of G-d's statutes and laws. (This too is a commandment, but it would be "unfair" to count it among the 613 mitzvot, because it is general and all-encompassing of the other mitzvot of the Torah. The Rambam excludes this kind of mitzva from the counting of 613 commandments in the rule he sets down in the first section of his Book of Mitzvot. )

Daily Aliya for Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: More mitzvot: Not to pervert justice, gossip, be indifferent to a fellow's predicament, hate a fellow Jew, bear grudges, or take revenge. To reprimand a sinner, and to love every Jew. The following statutes are also given here: not to sow a field with two kinds of seed, wear a garment made of a mixture of wool and linen (shatnez), or crossbreed animals. The section also includes with the laws of one who commits adultery with a half-free maidservant. We are introduced to the laws of "orlah," the prohibition against eating the fruit of a new sapling for the first three years, and the obligation to sanctify the fruit of the fourth year. We are enjoined not to engage in witchcraft or prostitution, or tattoo our bodies. Men are instructed not to destroy the hair at the edges of their scalp or the corners of their beards. We are commanded to observe the Shabbat; respect G‑d's sanctuary, Torah scholars and the elderly.

The Talmud tells of a Rabbi who told his colleague that when he sees men sitting by the roadside, he circumvents them so as not to burden them with standing for him as he passes by. His friend told him that he was not acting wisely, because the Torah attached Reverence for G-d to the mitzva of standing for the elderly and the Torah Scholar, and one should not "spare them" from this mitzva/opportunity.

Daily Aliya for Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The prohibitions against homosexuality and bestiality are mentioned. The Jews are then warned that engaging in these forbidden relationships will result in their expulsion from the Land of Israel -- a holy land which cannot tolerate immoral behavior. G‑d commands the Jewish people to be holy. This section then briefly discuses several laws: revering parents; observing the Shabbat; prohibitions against idolatry; the obligation to burn "leftover" sacrificial flesh; the obligation to leave certain parts of one's harvest for the poor; not to lie, cheat, withhold wages, swear falsely, curse or mislead another.

BE HOLY! - HOW? In light of the exceptionally large number of mitzvot in this sedra (K'doshim), one can fairly assume that the answer to that question is - by the observance of mitzvot. This means more than "just going through the motions". It means a Torah way of life, mitzvot for the right motives and with the right enthusiasm.

Daily Aliya for Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: We are enjoined not to consume blood. When slaughtering fowl or undomesticated animals, we are commanded to cover their blood with earth. The Jews are admonished not to follow the depraved ways of the Egyptians and Canaanites. On this note, the Torah provides a list of prohibited sexual relationships. The list includes adultery, cohabiting with a menstruating woman, and forbidden close relatives.

From the term "and live by them", we are taught two important concepts. Judaism is not just a religion; it is a way of life. Furthermore, this verse is (one of) the source(s) of the concept that many mitzvot (but not all!) are pushed aside if there is a life-threatening situation. Mitzvot are to LIVE by, not die by.

Daily Aliya for Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: After concluding the order of the Yom Kippur service in the Temple, the Torah instructs us to observe Yom Kippur as a Day of Atonement when we must abstain from work and "afflict" ourselves. The Jews are then forbidden to offer sacrifices anywhere other than the Tabernacle or Temple.

It is similarly forbidden to slaughter an animal for personal use within the precincts of the Temple. A korban slaughtered outside is invalid and must be burned, "personal" meat inside is likewise forbidden. Both are wasteful, hence sinful, acts which can be construed as a form of "bloodshed".

Daily Aliya for Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: This week's reading, Acharei-Kedoshim, begins with a detailed description of the service of the High Priest on Yom Kippur. Dozens of commandments are then discussed in this week's reading. Among them: the prohibitions against offering sacrifices outside the Temple; consuming blood; incestuous, adulterous, or other forbidden relationships; various mandatory gifts for the poor; love for every Jew, prohibition against sorcery; honesty in business dealings; and sexual morality.

Aliya Summary: The High Priest is instructed to only enter the Holy of Holies chamber of the sanctuary once a year, on Yom Kippur; and even on this holiest day of the year, the entry into the Temple's inner sanctum must be accompanied by a special service and specific offerings which are detailed in this reading. The High Priest was only permitted to enter amidst a cloud of burning incense. Also, special white garments were worn by the High Priest on this day. While offering the day's sacrifices, the High Priest would "confess" on behalf of the entire nation, attaining atonement for the past year's sins. This section continues with a description of the "scapegoat" ceremony procedure.

Daily Aliya for Tazria-Metzora, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This section discusses the ritual impurity contracted by a man who issues a (normal) seminal discharge, the ritual impurity of a menstruating woman, and of a man who cohabits with her. All such people must immerse in a mikvah (ritual pool) in order to be purified. Under certain circumstances a menstruating woman was required to bring to the Temple two bird offerings in order to attain purity.

People might say (or think) that most of Tazria-M'tzora is complex, confusing, non-applicable, why do I need to study it, boring... but the interplay between the physical and spiritual, the functioning of Jewish society in the context of the topics of the Parsha and other themes are timeless, and the contemplation provides much food for thought and possibly even discussion around the Shabbat table.

Daily Aliya for Tazria-Metzora, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Homes, too, can be afflicted with tzara'at. If bricks on a home become discolored -- acquiring a strong red or green pigment -- a priest is summoned. If indeed the discoloration seems to be tzara'at, the priest quarantines the home for up to three weeks. Depending on the spread of the discoloration, the home is either declared to be pure, or the specific bricks are removed from the house, or, in the most extreme situations, the house is demolished. The Torah then describes the purification process for such a home -- which is very similar to the initial stage of the purification of the human afflicted with tzara'at (described in the First Aliyah). After concluding the subject of tzara'at, the Torah discusses the ritual impurity of a man who issues a sickly and unnatural seminal discharge, as well as the method by which this person attains purity when the condition passes.

Not only does a person's body contain elements of spirituality, but even his home - specifically in Eretz Yisrael. Although we do not "practice" this whole topic today, the lessons of the bridge and connection between the physical world and the spiritual one cannot be overlooked. A person whose home is a meeting placefor Torah scholars, a launching pad for acts of charity and kindness, a training ground for a new generation of sensitive, feeling, enthusiastic Jews, such a home cannot be infected by spiritual plague. A home devoid of spirituality is a prime target for Nig'ei HaBayit. In this case, it is not the anti-rust and anti-moldpaint that makes the difference. It is the values that a Jew lives by and their affect on the next generation.

Daily Aliya for Tazria-Metzora, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

A person who cannot afford the animals for the sacrifices, is to bring one sheep and two birds as his offering. The Torah describes the rituals involved in these offerings.

It is not important how much the sacrifice is worth on a dollars and cents basis (shekels and agorot), but what is relative to the means of the atoner. Thus ends the section of the Torah dealing with afflictions to the individual. ZOT TORAT... this is the body of law of one afflicted who cannot afford the full set of korbanot.

Daily Aliya for Tazria-Metzora, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: At the conclusion of the quarantine period, depending on the circumstances the garment is either declared pure, or completely burnt, or only the part which was discolored is torn out and burnt. The Torah then describes the purification procedure for a person who contracted tzara'at. After the priest determines that the tzara'at has been healed, a ceremony involving two birds, a cedar plank, a scarlet thread and water from a live stream, is used for the initial stage of the purification. The individual also shaves his entire body. After a seven day wait, the person shaves again, and brings three animals and an oil offering to the Temple. The priest processes the offerings in the manner prescribed in this section. With this the purification process is completed.

The fact that there was such a thing as an affliction of a garment tells us something. We are dealing with different ways that G-d communicates his "displeasure" with us, as individuals. Today, we might say, His communication is more subtle - but we must see it... and react appropriately.

Daily Aliya for Shemini, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe addresses Aaron and his sons, instructing them regarding the consumption of that day's offerings -- despite the deaths of their next of kin.

At first glance this seems cruel, to make Aaron and his sons do all this work while they mourn the loss of their sons/brothers. Unless, that is, you see if from G-d's perspective, who wanted to be closer to them specifically when they were going through their grief, because He felt the grief as well. Mourners take comfort among themselves, and G-d might have needed Aaron and his sons' company as much as they needed His.