Please note that parashat BALAK is being read in the land of Israel this Shabbat.

Galut: „CHUKAT“: Numbers 19:1 – 22:1 || Judges 11:1-33

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
«The Thin Red Line: Parashat Chukat describes so many seemingly unrelated events, yet it is the profound fundamental truth contained in the commandment of the red heifer – parah adumah – that ties all these events so tightly together»…more:

Shabbat Shalom

Please note that parashat BEHAALOTCHA is being read in the land of Israel this Shabbat.

Galut: „NASO“: Numbers 4:21 – 7:89 || Judges 13:2-25

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
«Out in the desert the nation of Israel is instructed to set up her encampments around all four sides of the Tabernacle. This is not merely to provide equal access for all the tribes to the Tabernacle, nor is it merely for the purpose of defending the Tabernacle from outside threats, as essential as each of these things are. The Tabernacle was stationed at the heart of the nation so that the entire nation and all its individuals would embody its principle of holiness and embrace the challenge of making holy our lives even when outside the courtyards of the Holy Temple»…more:

Shabbat Shalom

Please note that parashat BECHUKOTAI is being read in the land of Israel this Shabbat.

„BEHAR“ (Galut) Lev. 25:1 – 26:2 || Jeremiah 32:6–27

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
«“The land shall rest a Sabbath to HaShem.“ (Lev. 25:2) Thusly G-d introduces the children of Israel to their significant other – the land of Israel. Not simply a place for them to rest their feet, or for G-d to rest His Shechinah (Divine Presence), the Land of Israel, itself, is a living, breathing entity, whose own inherent holiness is an integral part of Israel’s physical and spiritual security and well-being, dwelling upon its soil, forever and ever»…more:

Shabbat Shalom

Please note that parashat BEHAR is being read in the land of Israel this Shabbat.
„Emor“ (Galut) Lev. 21:1 – 24:23 || Ezekiel 44:15-31

Temple Talk Radio: Readings in Leviticus: Revealing G-dliness in this World
The Month of Iyar: Miraculous Historical Continuum
The Days of Counting the Omer: An Inner Spiritual Workshop
«Join Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Chaim Richman in this week’s fast-paced, inspiring edition of Temple Talk. Our hosts focus on amazing Biblical and contemporary insights into the miraculous nature of this month of Iyar, the counting of the Omer, the weekly Torah portions, and more! Each of these subjects shares a central theme…the people of Israel’s appointed task to reveal the presence of G-d in this world. Don’t miss this show!« …more:

Shabbat Shalom

Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36 || Jeremiah 7:21 – 8:3 & 9:22-23

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
«The Shlamim (Peace offering) and the Todah (Thanksgiving offering) described in parashat Tzav, both free-will, voluntary offerings, are paralleled in their essence and intention to prayer and Torah study. The burst of energy which informs the Todah offering’s urgent expression of thanksgiving is reflected in the intimate immediacy of prayer. The intention of the Shlamim (Peace offering) which accompanies the fulfillment of a pledge is reflected in the steadfast dedication of Torah study. And the hidden message of both these offerings is revealed in the message of the Scroll of Esther, read on Purim. Purim Sameach! Happy Purim to all»…more:

Shabbat Shalom

Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26 || Deut. 25:17-19 || 1 Sam.15:2-34

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
«Now that G-d has rested His presence in the newly built Tabernacle, He has no greater desire than to enable man to ennoble his spirit and burnish the divine image in which he was created via the korbanot drawing near offerings which are the heart of the Tabernacle/Holy Temple service»…more:

Shabbat Shalom

Exodus 38:21 – 40:38 || 1 Kings 7:40-50

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
«With the completion of the Tabernacle, Israel’s acceptance of the Torah and its presence in their midst, the true and eternal mission of the people of Israel is set into motion. Israel prepared a home for G-d’s presence and a center for His Torah, and G-d caused His presence to enter there. The generation of the desert did it! If they can make it happen, so can we»…more:

Shabbat Shalom

Exodus 27:20 – 30:10 || Ezekiel 43:10-27

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
«Appointing Aharon and his descendants to tend to the service in the Tabernacle/Holy Temple was G-d’s first instruction to Moshe following the commandment to build for G-d a Sanctuary. G-d desires man, as represented by the kohanim (priests) to enter into His sacred space and renew the connection G-d enjoyed with man, when He first created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden»…more:

Shabbat Shalom

Exodus 25:1 – 27:19 || 1 Kings 5:26 – 6:13

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
«Why does G-d instruct Moshe to „build for ME a Sanctuary?“ Why is G-d so insistent on Israel building a Mikdash (Tabernacle/Temple) for His name’s sake? Why does G-d want to share our space on this earth? And why do some question G-d’s integrity in insisting that He desires that His presence will dwell among His people Israel?»…more:

Shabbat Shalom

Exodus 21:1 – 24:18 || Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26

Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman for The Temple Institute, Jerusalem, Israel:
«“And these are the ordinances“ which follow the giving of the Ten Commandments… ordinances which encompass the entirety of our life experiences, each and every moment of our days and nights, and enable us, through their observance, to lift up our earthly lives and connect our earth-bound reality to the Source of our existence in heaven»…more:

Shabbat Shalom