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 Shemini, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: We learn of the possibility of foods and utensils contracting ritual impurity if they come in contact with any of the aforementioned impurities. The Torah then mentions the impurity contracted through coming in contact with the carcass of a kosher animal which was not ritually slaughtered. We are commanded not to consume any insects or reptiles. The reading closes with an exhortation that we remain holy by abstaining from eating all forbidden foods.

All of the above is meant to elevate the Jew's soul to the sanctity that G-d wanted us to attain. For us, there is a direct link between body and soul, the spiritual and the mundane. The laws of kashrut bring the point home.

Daily Aliya for Shemini, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: G‑d gives the commandments of Kosher, explaining how to distinguish between kosher and non-kosher animals, fish, and birds. Kosher animals must chew their cud and have cloven feet. The Torah lists four animals that have only one of these attributes, but not both, and are therefore non-kosher. Kosher fish must have fins and scales. The Torah then gives a list of species of non-kosher birds, and species of kosher locust. The Torah then discusses the ritual impurity caused by coming in contact with the carcass of a non-kosher animal, as well as certain species of rodents and amphibian creatures.

If the Torah only prohibited fish without scales, one would obviously have to examine fish before declaring it Kosher. Why, then, are we commanded to examine the fish, if it has to be done anyway? Rabbi Chananya b. Akashya answers that "G-d wanted to benefit Yisrael, therefore He heaps upon us Torah and Mitzvot", even when we'd do them anyway.

Daily Aliya for Shemini, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe becomes aware that one of the sin offerings had been burnt, rather than eaten. When he expresses his displeasure, Aaron explains his reasoning for ordering the burning of that particular offering, and Moshe humbly accepts Aaron's explanation.

Moshe gets angry with Elazar and Itamar for not eating of the korbanot, as they were instructed to do. Aharon defends his sons' behavior by explaining that the loss of their brothers would make a "business as usual" attitude unacceptable in G-d's eyes. Moshe accepts Aharon's words. Our Sages teach us to learn from Moshe Rabbeinu. Just as he was not embarrassed to admit that he did not know (or did not remember) learning a point, so should we readily admit it when we do not know something.

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.

Daily Aliya for Shemini, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: At this point a heavenly fire descends and consumes the offerings on the altar. Aaron's eldest two sons, Nadav and Avihu, bring an unauthorized incense offering and a heavenly fire consumes them. Moshe orders the removal of their bodies from the Tabernacle, and instructs Aaron and his remaining two sons not to observe the traditional laws of mourning, considering that they had to continue serving in the Sanctuary on behalf of the Jewish nation. The priests are instructed not to imbibe wine before performing Temple service.

Two of the many "traditions" as to what Nadav and Avihu did wrong are that they decided a point of halacha on their own (to bring an offering) in the presence of their "rebbi" (Moshe), and that they did not consult with anyone in this halachic matter. It behooves us to learn a sobering (purposeful choice of the word) lesson from all of the possible flaws in the actions of Nadav and Avihu. One must be careful when making decisions for oneself and their family. Consulting a Rabbi is a good idea.

Daily Aliya for Shemini, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: After concluding the offering of all the sacrifices, Aaron blesses the people with the priestly blessing. Moshe and Aaron bless the Jewish people that G‑d's presence dwell in their handiwork, and, indeed, the Divine presence visibly descends upon the Tabernacle.

The Torah spelled "yadav", his hands, without the second "yud", making the word resemble "yado", his hand. From here comes the tradition of the kohanim holding their two hands together as one during the priestly blessings.

Daily Aliya for Shemini, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: This week's Parsha, Shemini, is a continuation of the seven-day inaugural ceremony. This week's Parsha opens on the eighth day, when G‑d's presence descends upon the Tabernacle. On that day, Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu die when offering an uncalled-for incense sacrifice. The Parsha concludes with a discussion about the laws of Kosher and ritual purity.

Aliya Summary: Moshe gathers all the Jews to the Tabernacle to witness the Divine presence descending upon the Sanctuary on that day. Aaron offers various sacrifices in preparation for this revelation.