Exodus 30:11-34:35 || 1 Kings 18:1-39

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
«The root cause of the sin of the golden calf are our own self-imposed expectations and resultant disappointments, the persistent self-delusion that it is we who set the rules and run the world. Making room for G-d in our world and seeing His presence in our lives is the only antidote for our golden calf-like follies»…more:

Shabbat Shalom

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Video Commentary by Rabbi Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem:

„Yom Kippur, the awesome day of atonement is the Holy of Holies in the dimension of time and soul, the one day of the year in which we can enter our innermost holy sanctum of self, and reemerge, not only unscathed, but cleansed and renewed. Our future and our past is ours to write and rewrite, if we but dare to see ourselves as the blessed creatures G-d intended us.“…more:

Shabbat Ha’azinu Shalom (Deut.32) and Shana Tova

Israel: Pinchas (Numbers 25:10 – 30:1)

Galut: Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9):
Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
»What was it about the nation of Israel, perched on the east bank of the Jordan river, just weeks away from entering the land, that so terrified Balak and Bilaam and the rest of the players and power brokers that made up the nations of the world? Was it an impending ‚occupation‘? ‚Apartheid‘? ‚Human rights abuses‘? No! No! and No! It was something much more threatening to the status quo that ruled the world back then, and even more so today. «…more:

Shabbat Shalom

Israel: Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9)

Galut: Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1):
Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
»The red heifer is the symbol of the reality of life, as opposed to the illusion of death that can grip us and render us unfit to stand in the presence of the Shechinah which fills the Holy Temple and its courtyards. The lives of Moshe, Aharon and Miriam, whose deaths occur or are foretold in this week’s parasha, are emblematic of the message of the red heifer, whose power transcends life and defies human comprehension«…more:

Shabbat Shalom

Israel: Behar (Leviticus 25:1-26:2)

Galut: Emor (Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23):
Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
The Holy Temple is not simply a unique place and time within which G-d’s presence dwells and can be experienced by all who enter. The Holy Temple, within which G-d’s presence is overwhelmingly in the here and now, shapes for all humanity, near and far, the space and time in which we live and the way we perceive our own place in space and time. The appointed Temple festivals around which our lives are centered, and the detailed precision of the daily service in the Holy Temple, create a spiritual gravitational pull that frees us from our own misconceptions and disorientation and puts us in step with the Creator of the universe…more:“

Shabbat Shalom

Exodus 18:1 – 20:23; Isaiah 6:1-7; 7:1-6; 9:5-6

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman, The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel

„Who was Moshe, the „man of G-d?“ Agitator for justice, freedom fighter, radical activist who led his people out of Egypt, Moshe is called to the mountain to „ascend to G-d.“ He attained a level of G-d awareness unattained by any other before or since, and at Sinai elevated the entire nation with him:“

Shabbat Shalom

Deuteronomy 11:26 till 16:17; Haftara: Isaiah 54:11 till 55:5

Watch video commentary by Rabbi Richman from The Temple Institute about the Parasha beginning with the order “behold” or “see, look” what God has prepared for YOU.

As Moses prepares the nation to enter the land he stays focused on the one great challenge that lays before him and the people: To take a congregation of individuals and forge them into one mighty nation, united and dedicated to creating a Torah infused reality in the land of Israel:

Shabbat Shalom

Find a God’s Sabbath International article concerning Re’eh – Behold – here >

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23; Haftara: Ezechiel 44:15-31

“This week we are reading the parashat Emor. And the parasha begins, that HaShem says to Moshe: Say to the Cohanim, the sons of Aharon, and tell them each of you shall not render himself impure … And the Cohanim were instructed, were responsible to bring down the blessings into the world, they can’t be like other people, they can’t react in the same way… The first word of our parasha Emor is used in Hebrew speak, speak to the Cohanim and this speaking conveys a sense of speaking very quietly, whispering…”

Watch the entire video commentary of
Rabbi Chaim Richman, The Temple Institute:

Shabbat Shalom

Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26 and Isaiah 43:21-44:23

Video-Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman, The Temple Institute, Jerusalem:
The book of Vayikra, (Leviticus), the most intimate of the five books of Torah, opens with a whisper. With the establishment of the Tabernacle, G-d is welcomed back into the world!

Shabbat Shalom

Exodus 25:1 – 27:19
(and because of →Rosch Chodesh Numeri 28:9-15 … and instead of Haftarah 1 King 5:26 – 6:13)
Haftara Isaiah 66:1-24

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman, The Temple Institute, Jerusalem:

“Egypt is now behind us – it’s time to get down to business . . . G-d says essentially: We’ve been through enough together; after all He says: I created the world for a purpose:
That you should know who I am!
So Israel is commanded to build the tabernacle in the middle of the desert, it’s a spiritual oasis in the midst of a foreboding emptiness… later the tabernacle becomes the Holy Temple. The whether we talk about the temporary tabernacle or the permanent Temple on Mount Morjah the message is the same: Israel has a job to do, a calling, a mission, and that is to bring the lights of the divine presence by making a house for G-d’s sake, by welcoming Him in, by welcoming Him home.
»And they will build Me a sanctuary and I will dwell amongst them. « (Exodus 25:8) »Build it for ME«, G-d says. For My names sake. I want to dwell amongst man in this world. Such is My desire. G-d is not asking for perfection from mankind. Only for a welcome into this world..“

Shabbat Shalom