Thoughts on the Parashah

Parshat Beha’alotekha – פרשת בהעלתך

THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Beha’alotekha – פרשת בהעלתך June 22, 2019 – יט סיון תשעט Your Joyous Occasions Scripture issues instructions for the use of two silver trumpets for administrative, military, and cultic functions. The precise dates on which trumpets were...

by June 21, 2019 – 18 Sivan 5779

Parshat Naso – פרשת נשא

THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Naso – פרשת נשא June 15, 2019 – יב סיון תשעט This essay is dedicated in honor of Warren Graham, with prayers for his good health. Bitter Sotah Waters Scripture sets forth a protocol for determining whether a suspected adulteress, or...

by June 14, 2019 – 11 Sivan 5779

Parshat Behukotai – פרשת בחקתי

THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Behukotai – פרשת בחקתי June 1, 2019 – כז אייר תשעט Dwelling Securely in the Diaspora After setting forth the laws relating to the sabbatical year and the jubilee, Scripture issues a Divine promise: “You shall observe My laws and...

by May 31, 2019 – 27 Iyyar 5779

The Origins of Lag Ba’Omer

THOUGHTS ON LAG BA’OMER Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Lag Ba’Omer 5779 This essay is dedicated in memory of Herman Wouk, founder of the Great Neck Synagogue. The Origins of Lag Ba’Omer In my recent essay “The Origins of Sefirah Mourning Practices,” I intentionally avoided the subject of Lag Ba’Omer...

by May 24, 2019 – 20 Iyyar 5779

THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Emor – פרשת אמר May 18, 2019 – יג אייר תשעט The Blasphemer Scripture records a violent and tragic incident that confounded the Israelites and marred their experience in the wilderness. “And the son of an Israelite woman, he being the son...

by May 18, 2019 – 14 Iyyar 5779

Parshat Kedoshim – פרשת קדשים

THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Kedoshim – פרשת קדשים May 11, 2019 – ו אייר תשעט Loving the Neighbor on Death Row “Love thy neighbor as thyself (Leviticus 19:15)” ranks high among the greatest ethical dicta propounded in human history. Rabbi Akiba regarded it as the...

by May 10, 2019 – 5 Iyyar 5779