THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Naso – פרשת נשא June 6, 2020 – יד סיון תשפ This essay is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm. The Priestly Blessing Scripture commands the Kohanim to bless the congregation of Israel with the three-verse priestly...
THOUGHTS ON SHAVUOT Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Shavuot 5780 This essay is dedicated in memory of Ellen Lebovits. Abandoning Israel The Book of Ruth begins with a departure by a Judahite family from its hometown of Bethlehem to the fields of Moab. Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons Mahlon and Chilion...
THOUGHTS ON YOM YERUSHALAYIM Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Yom Yerushalayim 5780 Mount Zion The prophet Isaiah wrote one of the most depressing lines in Scripture: “Zion says, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me (Isaiah 49:14).’” Zion is personified as a bereaved women crying over...
THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Behar-Behukotai – פרשת בהר בחקתי May 16, 2020 – כב אייר תשפ This essay is sponsored by Chavie Wilner and Chaim Kleinman in memory of their father, Gershon Kleinman Z”L. Innovation in Judaism Leviticus concludes with a...
THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Emor – פרשת אמר May 9, 2020 – טו אייר תשפ Selecting the High Priest In addition to being at the top of the ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Jerusalem Temple, the High Priest was also a leading figure on the national legislative-judicial...
THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Tazria-Metzora – פרשת תזריע מצורע April 25, 2020 – א אייר תשפ This essay is dedicated in memory of Ira Beer Z”L. Dam Tohar: The Forgotten Leniency Leviticus 12 sets forth a series of laws pertaining to women who have recently given...