By: Rabbi Shelton Donnell and Esther Edelsburg written for Congregation Kol Haneshama, Jerusalem The book of Numbers is the book of wanderings and in order that these wanderings do not cause anarchy, there must be order. Thus, our portion, Bemidbar, the first in this book, focuses on the organization of the camp. This is designated […]
Author Archive | Rabbi Shelton J. Donnell
Parashat Kedoshim
Parashat Kedoshim is arguably the most morally compelling portion in the Torah. It begins: “You shall be holy, for I, Adonai your God, am holy” (Lev. 19:2). What follows in chapter 19 of Leviticus is often called the “Holiness Code” and explains in detail what it means for us to “be like God” — beginning […]
Parashat Tazria
By Rabbi Shelly Donnell & Esther Edelsburg In the portion Tazria the Torah describes the affliction of leprosy and the process involved in examining the patient by the priest to determine if the signs of the disease are valid. “Adonai said to Moses and Aaron, When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a […]
Parashat Mishpatim
Rabbi Shelton J. Donnell & Ariel Nosrat Immediately following the Revelation of the Ten Commandments in all their elegant simplicity in Parashat Yitro, we turn in Parashat Mishpatim to a long and involved list of laws and statutes encompassing a whole range of topics. In this variety of subjects there are regulations regarding slaves, laws […]
Parashat VaEira
by Rabbi Shelton J. Donnell & Esther Edelsburg In the Torah portion Shemot Moses received his mission to go to Pharaoh and demand that he free the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, and then to lead them to the Promised Land of Canaan. However, there is a big difference between receiving a mission and putting it […]
“It’s Déjà vu All Over Again…Or Is It?”
Jerusalem, September 8, 2010 – 29 Elul 5770 This morning I went out to do the last minute shopping for Rosh Hashanah. Wendy was already up early, busy in the kitchen preparing for the guests that we are having for Rosh Hashanah lunch on Thursday. Fortunately we are invited to friends’ for dinner tonight for […]
Parashat Ekev
In the Book of Deuteronomy we encounter wonderful expressions of the love of God for the People of Israel and the demands that derive from that love together with the warnings that repeat and are reiterated lest “we forget” ADONAI our God. However, with this there is some rather extreme language relating to the conquest […]
Parashat VaEthanan
In Parashat VaEthanan Moses stands on the heights of the mountain and speaks to the Israelites, “At that time I pleaded with ADONAI, ‘ADONAI, O God, You have begun to show to Your servant your greatness and Your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds […]
Parashat Devarim
In Parashat Devarim Moses begins his last speech to the Israelites. He recounts to them their journey from Egypt through the wilderness to the borders of the land of Canaan. For forty years Moses led the people, and now he turns to remind them where they have been together. Forty years! Why such a very […]
“Hearts Sinking on the High Seas”
Jerusalem, June 2, 2010 It has been a very difficult past few days here. Since making Aliyah in 2005 Wendy and I have experienced the evacuation of Gaza, two wars and numerous incidents (terrorist, military and diplomatic), but none has left me with the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach and the ache […]
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