Shemini: The ‘Eighth Day’ of Creation
byHuman history exists within the ‘seventh day’ of Creation while the Temple belongs to the ‘eighth day’ & therefore transcends the laws of our world.
Culture
Tzav: Disrupting the Chronology
byWhile the ‘Torah of Moshe’ teaches the korbanot in a way that’s relevant to righteous idealists, the ‘Torah of Aharon’ teaches these laws as they relate to the average person in need of cleansing from sin.
Accessing the Divine Light of Freedom
byEach year, on the 15th of Nisan, the Divine light of freedom shines into our world. That’s why it was appropriate for Israel to leave Egypt on this date.
Vayikra: Order of the Korbanot
byThe subtle distinction between how Vayikra & Tzav list the order of the korbanot reflects a strong difference in the perspectives of Moshe & Aharon.
Pekudei: The Essense of the Mikdash
byThe world advances through the dialectical relationship between historical periods with & without a Temple (an ’embassy’ of higher worlds).
Vayaq’hel: Shabbat & the Mishkan
byThe deeper connection between the 39 malakhot of Shabbat & the construction of the Mishkan.
Ki Tisa: The Ideal Versus the Real
byHaShem’s choice of Israel isn’t like some human decision that could be revoked, but rather an act that transforms the nation into a Divine creation that for all eternity won’t ever be changed.
Tetzave: Divine Service & Offerings
byThe priestly garments – intended ‘for honor & for glory’ – are designed to act upon the ‘negative imagination’ by purifying & transforming it into a force of prophetic ‘pure imagination.’
T’ruma: Moshe’s Mishkan & Aharon’s Mishkan
byProphecy returns in the time of our redemption & all the hearts will once again move closer together.
Mishpatim: Mystery of the Mal’akh
byThere is a different between a created mal’akh & a mal’akh that’s actually direct Divine guidance.
Yitro: Israel’s Torah & Israel’s Political Life
byReceiving a legal code at Sinai was an unexpected twist that seemed to have nothing to do with Israel’s understanding of liberation. There suddenly arose a need to strengthen the people’s trust in Moshe.
Beshalaḥ: The Necessity of the Mann
bySince the Torah was forced on Israel, some could argue that it doesn’t naturally fit our identity.