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5761
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This week’s combined reading contains Seventy-six commandments. Some are very negative, like the twenty-two forbidden sexual relationships (Araiyot) and some very positive like “Love your friend like yourself”.
But as opposite as they are, these two commonly touch on the essence of Judaism: |
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5762
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The first half of this week's double portion speaks of the service in the Holy Temple on Yom Kippur after the death (Acharei Mot) of Aaron's two sons.
In the second section, the Torah teaches us fifty one new commandments. Two of which are "Orla" and "Neta Revaie" (9:23). |
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5764
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The second portion of this week's double section begins with three statements: 1) Be Holy because I (G-d) am Holy 2) Fear your mother and father 3) Keep my Sabbath. (19:2,3)
At first it doesn't seem that there is any connection between them: The first is a general statement and the last two are apparently unrelated commandments. |
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5766
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This week we read a double section; the first is called "After Death" and the second is called "Holiness".
At first glance these names are not very important… after all; what is in a name? |
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5767
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This week we read two Torah portions. The first means 'After Death' and the second 'Be Holy'.
The Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidic Judaism, taught that every detail in creation and how much more so in every detail of the Torah, contains hidden positive messages about how to live properly. |
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5769
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This week we read another double Torah portion. Achrai Mot means After Death and Kedoshim means Holy.
'After Death' refers to the tragic and bizarre deaths of two of the Holiest people ever to walk the face of the earth: Nadav and Avihu the sons of the Aaron the High Priest. Two beams of fire entered their nostrils when, in their longing for G-d, they rashly entered the Holy of Holies without preparation. |
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