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Tach 2025 Parsha

On erev Shabbat, Chayei Sarah, 5785 (October 19, 2024), as we learned about the passing of Sarah Imeinu, the Torah ended with the words, “And Sarah died at Kiryat Arba; the same is Hebron, in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.”

In this week’s parsha, Toldot, the Torah continues the story of Abraham and his family. Although Sarah is gone, her legacy lives on through her son, Isaac. Isaac is now 40 years old, and it is time for him to get married. However, finding a suitable wife for Isaac is not an easy task. In fact, Abraham despairs so much over finding a wife for Isaac that he makes his servant promise, with an oath, that he will not take a wife for Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites. Thus begins the story of how Isaac met Rivkah, and how she came to be his wife. Meanwhile, Abraham takes another wife, Keturah, and has six more sons. The Torah also tells the story of Esau and Jacob, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau is the firstborn, but Jacob is the one who receives the birthright. This sets up the conflict between the two brothers that will continue for many years to come.

The parsha concludes with the death of Abraham. He dies at the age of 175, and is buried in the Cave of Machpelah alongside Sarah. Isaac and Ishmael, Abraham’s two sons, bury him. The Torah ends with a brief summary of Ishmael’s life. He has 12 sons, and they become the fathers of the Arab nations. The parsha ends with the words, “And Ishmael died at the age of 137 years. And his sons dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.”

Unveiling the Wisdom of the Torah Portion: Behar-Behukotai 5785

Unveiling the Profound Insights of Behar

This Torah portion, Behar, delves into the intricate laws governing the Sabbath year and the Jubilee year. These laws, enshrined in Leviticus 25, serve as a profound testament to God’s desire for restoration, redemption, and equitable distribution of resources.

The Torah prescribes that every seventh year, the land must be given a Sabbath rest. During this period, it is forbidden to cultivate the land, harvest crops, or prune vines. This Sabbath year is a time for the land to recover its vitality and for the people to remember their dependence on God’s provision.

Even more significant is the Jubilee year, which occurs after every seven sabbath years. During the Jubilee, all debts are forgiven, and land that has been sold reverts to its original owner. This remarkable law ensures that wealth accumulation does not become a source of oppression and that every Israelite has an equal opportunity to inherit God’s blessings.

The laws of Behar serve as a powerful reminder of God’s desire for a just and equitable society, where the marginalized are protected and the land is treated with respect. They invite us to reflect on our own consumption habits, our treatment of the environment, and our responsibility to create a world where all can flourish.

Additional Insights

Concept	Significance
Sabbath Year	Rest for the land and its inhabitants
Jubilee Year	Debt forgiveness, land redistribution, social justice
Release of Slaves	Restoration of freedom and dignity
Protection of the Poor	Ensuring access to resources and fair treatment

Exploring the Profundity of Shabbat

Shabbat, the seventh day of the week, holds immense significance in Judaism, serving as a weekly sanctification of time. It is a day set aside for rest, reflection, and spiritual rejuvenation. The Shabbat observance encompasses various rituals and practices that seek to elevate the soul and foster a connection with the divine. These include refraining from work, engaging in acts of kindness, and immersing oneself in Torah study.

The Sanctity of Holidays

Holidays in Judaism are not mere days of merrymaking but rather sacred occasions that celebrate significant events in the Jewish calendar. They provide opportunities for spiritual growth, community, and the remembrance of God’s covenantal faithfulness. Each holiday has its unique traditions, rituals, and observances that aim to connect the present with the past and present with the future. Festivals such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Pesach serve as touchstones for Jewish identity, reminding the people of their history, their responsibilities, and their destiny.

The following table provides a detailed overview of some major holidays in the Jewish calendar:

Holiday	Date	Significance	Observances
Rosh Hashanah	1st and 2nd Tishrei	Jewish New Year, marks the beginning of the High Holy Days	Prayer, shofar blowing, repentance
Yom Kippur	10th Tishrei	Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year	Fasting, prayer, repentance
Sukkot	15th-22nd Tishrei	Festival of Tabernacles, commemorates the Israelites’ wandering in the desert	Dwelling in sukkahs (booths), waving lulav and etrog
Pesach	15th-21st Nisan	Passover, celebrates the Exodus from Egypt	Matzah eating, avoiding leavened bread, retelling the Exodus story

The Importance of Remembered and Renewed Covenants

The Torah portions for this week, Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, focus on the importance of remembering and renewing covenants. These covenants are agreements between God and the people of Israel that outline the terms of their relationship. When we remember and renew these covenants, we reaffirm our commitment to God and to one another.

Remembered Covenants

The Torah begins with God’s covenant with Abraham, in which God promises to make Abraham’s descendants into a great nation. This covenant is renewed with Isaac and Jacob, and it is eventually fulfilled when the Israelites are delivered from slavery in Egypt and brought to the Promised Land. Throughout their history, the Israelites have remembered this covenant, and it has served as a source of strength and hope.

Renewed Covenants

In addition to remembering old covenants, it is also important to renew our covenants with God regularly. This can be done through prayer, study, and worship. When we renew our covenants, we recommit ourselves to living in accordance with God’s laws and to following his ways.

The Number Three

The number three appears frequently in the Torah and in Jewish tradition. It is often associated with holiness and perfection. For example, the Israelites were commanded to keep the Sabbath on the seventh day, which is a multiple of three. The Temple in Jerusalem had three main chambers. And the priestly blessing contains three repetitions of the word “blessing.” The number three also appears in the Torah portions for this week. In Acharei Mot, the Israelites are commanded to offer three types of sacrifices on the Day of Atonement. In Kedoshim, the Israelites are commanded to keep three festivals each year. These occurrences of the number three remind us of the importance of remembering and renewing our covenants with God.

Covenant	Promise
God’s covenant with Abraham	To make Abraham’s descendants into a great nation
God’s covenant with the Israelites at Sinai	To give them the Law and to be their God
God’s covenant with David	To establish a dynasty in David’s line

Reflections on the Rituals of Temple Service

The Priestly Vestments

The priests wore elaborate vestments during their service in the Temple. These garments symbolized their purity and holiness. The high priest’s vestments were particularly ornate, including a golden breastplate engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Daily Sacrifices

The daily sacrifices were a central part of the Temple service. In the morning, a burnt offering was offered, followed by a grain offering and a drink offering. In the evening, the same sacrifices were repeated. These sacrifices symbolized the people’s dependence on God and their need for forgiveness.

The Sabbath

The Sabbath was a special day of rest and worship. On the Sabbath, no work was to be done. Instead, the people were to gather at the Temple for worship and fellowship. The Sabbath was a reminder of God’s creation of the world and his covenant with Israel.

The Feasts

The Temple also served as the setting for three major festivals: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. These feasts commemorated important events in Israel’s history and celebrated God’s providence.

Feast	Commemorates
Passover	The Exodus from Egypt
Pentecost	The giving of the Torah
Tabernacles	The wandering of the Israelites in the desert

Understanding the Role of Blessings and Curses

Blessings and Curses in Deuteronomy

The Book of Deuteronomy contains a series of blessings and curses that are pronounced upon the Israelites for their obedience or disobedience to God’s laws. These blessings and curses are found in chapters 28 and 29.

Components of the Blessings and Curses

5. The Nature of the Blessings and Curses

The blessings and curses in Deuteronomy are both comprehensive and specific. They cover a wide range of areas, including prosperity, health, victory, and peace. Conversely, the curses include poverty, disease, defeat, and famine.

Blessings	Curses
Abundant harvests	Barrenness
Healthy children	Sickness and disease
Victory in battle	Defeat and captivity
Peace and prosperity	Famine and poverty

The blessings and curses show that God’s favor and displeasure are tied to the Israelites’ obedience and disobedience.

The Paradox of Rewards and Consequences

The Torah portion of Kedoshim, read on May 3, 2025, presents a paradox of rewards and consequences. The text promises blessings and curses, depending on one’s actions. This paradox raises questions about the nature of justice, the role of free will, and the ultimate purpose of human existence.

Rewards and Punishments

The Torah明确规定对遵守誡命的賞賜和對違背誡命的懲罰。例如，它承諾對那些遵守安息日的人以長壽和繁榮作為回報，而對那些不遵守安息日的人施以石刑。

Conditional Blessings

然而，這些獎賞和懲罰常常是有條件的。上帝的祝福並不總是自動賜予，而上帝的懲罰也並非總是立即執行。這表明，人類的行為不僅決定了他們當前的命運，也決定了他們未來的命運。

The Complexity of Justice

這種獎賞和懲罰的複雜性突顯了正義的複雜性。正義不只是簡單地根據行為獎勵或懲罰。它還必須考慮意圖、動機和情有可原的情況。

Free Will and Responsibility

報酬和懲罰的教義也強調了自由意志和責任感。儘管上帝承諾了獎賞和懲罰，但最終還是由個人選擇自己的行動。因此，個人對自己的命運負有責任。

Redemption and Repentance

儘管有懲罰的風險，但悔改和贖罪的可能性仍然存在。如果個人承認自己的過錯並尋求上帝的寬恕，他們可以獲得寬恕，並避免懲罰。這表明，靈性成長和轉變永遠是可能的。

The Ultimate Purpose of Existence

最終，報酬和懲罰的教義指向了人類存在的最終目的。獲得上帝的祝福和避免上帝的懲罰應該是我們努力的目標，但它們並不是終極目標。真正的目的是與上帝建立關係，並在與上帝的關係中找到意義和滿足。

The Significance of Purity and Impurity

The Torah portion of Acharei Mot-Kedoshim focuses heavily on the concepts of purity and impurity. These concepts are crucial in Judaism as they guide the Israelites’ behavior and their relationship with the divine.

Impurity After Childbirth

After giving birth, women are considered impure for a certain period, and they must go through a purification ritual to regain their purity. This is because childbirth was seen as a source of impurity, and the mother needed to be purified before she could participate fully in religious life.

Impurity After Contact with the Dead

Contact with the dead also rendered a person impure. This was because death was seen as a source of contamination, and the person who had come into contact with it needed to be purified before they could approach the sanctuary.

Levitation of the Goat

The ritual of the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:7-10) is a significant example of the significance of purity and impurity. Aaron, the high priest, would lay his hands on the head of a goat and transfer the sins of the Israelites to it. The goat would then be sent into the wilderness, carrying the sins of the people away.

The Number 7

The number 7 plays a significant role in the Torah’s discussion of purity and impurity. For example:

Women are considered impure for seven days after giving birth to a boy and fourteen days after giving birth to a girl (Leviticus 12:1-5).
People who come into contact with a dead body are considered impure for seven days (Numbers 19:11-12).
The scapegoat is sent into the wilderness after seven days of purification (Leviticus 16:20-22).

The Need for Purification

The rituals of purification prescribed in the Torah are not simply about cleanliness. They are about restoring wholeness and right relationship with the divine. When a person is impure, they are cut off from the community and from God. Purification rituals allow the person to re-enter the community and to approach God once again.

Purity and Holiness

The concept of purity is closely linked to the concept of holiness. In the Torah, holiness is associated with God. Anything that is holy is set apart for God’s use. The Israelites are called to be a holy people, and they are to live in a way that reflects their holiness.

The Promise of Redemption

The Torah portion for May 3, 2025, begins with a promise of redemption for the Israelites. God tells Moses that He will bring the people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. This promise is a source of hope and comfort for the Israelites, who have been enslaved in Egypt for centuries.

The Path to Holiness

The Torah portion also outlines the path to holiness that the Israelites must follow. God gives Moses a set of commandments, which the Israelites are to obey. These commandments include prohibitions against murder, theft, and adultery, as well as positive commandments to love God and to love one’s neighbor.

The Eighth Commandment

The eighth commandment, which prohibits stealing, is particularly relevant to the Torah portion for May 3, 2025. The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, and they are tempted to take possession of the land by force. However, God warns them that they must not steal the land from the Canaanites, but must instead conquer it through battle.

The eighth commandment also teaches us the importance of honesty and integrity. We must not lie, cheat, or steal, but must always be fair and just in our dealings with others.

The Ten Commandments
Do not have other gods before Me.
Do not make for yourself an idol.
Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
Do not murder.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Do not covet your neighbor’s house; do not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.

How to Live a Life Aligned with Torah Principles

1. Torah Study

Engage in regular Torah study to deepen your understanding of God’s will and guidance.

2. Prayer and Meditation

Communicate with God through prayer and meditation to connect with His presence and seek guidance.

3. Shabbat Observance

Set aside Shabbat as a day of rest, cessation from worldly pursuits, and spiritual connection.

4. Kashrut

Adhere to dietary laws to demonstrate obedience and maintain purity.

5. Tzedakah

Practice charity by giving to the needy, recognizing God’s provision and our responsibility to share.

6. Ethics and Morality

Uphold the Torah’s ethical teachings, including honesty, fairness, kindness, and respect.

7. Family Values

Nurture strong family relationships, emphasizing love, support, and mutual respect.

8. Community Involvement

Participate actively in the Jewish community, contributing to its vibrancy and fulfilling the mitzvah of love thy neighbor.

9. Personal Growth and Reflection

Regularly engage in self-assessment, seeking areas for improvement and seeking mentorship for spiritual advancement.

Torah Portion: Emor	Date: May 3, 2025

The Value of Shemittah and Yovel

The Torah portion of Behar-Behukotai emphasizes the importance of observing the Shemittah (Sabbatical) and Yovel (Jubilee) years. Shemittah is a year of rest for the land, during which it is forbidden to cultivate crops or perform agricultural work. Yovel occurs every seven Shemittah years and involves the freeing of slaves and the redistribution of land. These laws promote social justice, environmental sustainability, and spiritual renewal.

The Power of Blessings and Curses

In Behukotai, the Torah presents a series of blessings and curses that are contingent upon the Israelites’ obedience to God’s commandments. Obedience brings prosperity, health, and divine favor, while disobedience leads to famine, disease, and exile. This concept highlights the profound impact of our actions on our well-being.

The Importance of Ritual Purity

Behar-Behukotai prescribes various rituals for purifying individuals and the community from ritual impurity. These rituals include sacrifices, immersions, and sprinklings with water. Ritual purity was essential for maintaining a close relationship with God and participating in religious ceremonies.

The Holiness of God

Throughout the portion, the Torah emphasizes the holiness of God. The Israelites are commanded to avoid anything that would defile or dishonor Him. This includes refraining from forbidden foods, practices, and relationships. Holiness is a fundamental attribute of God that demands reverence and respect from His people.

The Covenant with God

Behar-Behukotai underscores the importance of the covenant between God and Israel. This covenant establishes a special relationship between God and His chosen people and involves mutual obligations. Israel is to obey God’s commandments, and God is to bless and protect His people.

The Danger of Idolatry

The Torah strongly condemns idolatry and warns against creating or worshipping any images or objects that represent God. Idolatry is a betrayal of the covenant and leads to spiritual corruption and social chaos.

The Consequences of Sin

Behar-Behukotai lists various sins and their consequences. These sins include murder, theft, adultery, and oppression. The Torah teaches that sin has severe repercussions both for the individual and the community.

The Promise of Restoration

Despite the warnings of punishment, the Torah also offers hope of restoration. Even after Israel’s disobedience and exile, God promises to remember His covenant and show mercy to His people. This promise is a source of comfort and encouragement in times of adversity.

The Importance of Spiritual Renewal

Behar-Behukotai emphasizes the need for spiritual renewal and repentance. Through rituals like the Day of Atonement, the Israelites were able to cleanse themselves from sin and renew their relationship with God. Spiritual renewal is essential for personal growth and communal well-being.

The Blessings of Obedience

The Torah concludes with a list of blessings that God promises to those who obey His commandments. These blessings include peace, prosperity, and divine protection. This passage serves as a reminder of the rewards that come from living a life in accordance with God’s will.

Torah Portion for May 3, 2025

The Torah portion for May 3, 2025 is Emor, which means “speak.” It is found in Leviticus 21:1-24:23. In this portion, God gives Moses instructions for the priests, including the qualifications for becoming a priest, the rules for sacrifices, and the festivals of Israel.

One of the most important themes in the Torah portion of Emor is the importance of holiness. God calls the priests to be holy, and he gives them specific instructions on how to maintain their holiness. This includes rules about who they can marry, what they can eat, and how they should conduct themselves in the tabernacle.

The Torah portion of Emor also contains instructions for the festivals of Israel. These festivals are a time for the people of Israel to come together and celebrate God’s goodness. They are also a time to remember God’s faithfulness and to renew their commitment to him.