The Torah portion Tzav (literally “command”) drones on about how sacrifices were performed, how the ashes were cleaned, and even what was worn to clean the ashes. What of that could be relevant in today’s world? Then I read Rabbi Joe Rapport’ dvar Torah “On the Holiness of Shmutz” and Rabbi Jack Paskoff‘s dvar acher “Sometimes Shmutz […]
Do You Believe in Sacrifice and What Do You Expect in Return?
This week’s Torah portion, Vayikra, marks the start of the book of Leviticus. Leviticus is a hard book to read. Much of it covers the details about sacrificial offerings and it annoys us with rules which seemingly constrict us like a snake wrapped around us. I find Leviticus interesting because all those rules and details […]
Looking Inward and Outward – A Pillar of Fire and Cloud
As this week is a double Torah portion (Vayak’heil – P’kudei), it is only fitting that this Torah sketchnote be used for two purposes and have two inspiring interpretations behind it. This parsha concludes the book of Exodus with Exodus 40:38 which says For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, […]
Purim – a visual Book of Esther
The story of Purim is laid out in the Book of Esher. It contains all of the things that make a story live one. It has heroes, villains, and foils, murder, intrigue, deception, and is short enough to read (or chant) in one sitting. So I give to you a a visual version of the […]
You Can Count On It (Ki Tisa)
In this Torah portion, Ki Tisa, the 10 Commandments are written “with the finger of G-d” (Exodus 31:18), the people lose patience waiting at the bottom of the mountain for Moses and build a Golden Calf, Moses breaks the tablets and goes back up for another set. Ransoming the Soul In her dvar Torah Making […]