“And God spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Command your brother and his sons regarding the Torah of the offerings.” (Leviticus 6:1-2) Mitzvah is one of the foundational words of Jewish life. Its root comes from the verb which is the name of this week’s parasha: Tzav, “command.” Despite its colloquial usage as “good deed,” mitzvah really means “commandment”—a holy edict, meant to give shape and substance to what it means to live as a member of the Jewish covenant.  Read more...

It has been a particularly troubling year for race relations in America. Places like Ferguson, Missouri have become emblematic of a deep and enduring frustration among many people of color: why is it so difficult to communicate to the vast majority of whites just what it feels like to be brown or black - What is it to be refused a taxi, or shadowed by a clerk in a high-end boutique, what is it to be pulled off the highway, or refused an apartment or a job - all for being black - White women and men have been spared, by accident of birth, from such demeaning experiences. Read more...

I love Shabbat. I really do. Most weeks, I find myself counting the days, anticipating Shabbat, making plans, and eagerly awaiting the impending rest, relaxation, prayer, and communal connections. But, this week as Shabbat approaches, I find I am thinking less of Shabbat and a whole lot more about Pesach which will begin on Monday night. After all, this is but one of 52 Shabbatot during the year, so there will be many others. Pesach, on the other hand, comes but once a year. Read more...

A fable: There was a king who had the most magnificent collection of jewels. This collection was his greatest joy. One night, he dreamed of a ring with special power: When a person was sad, the ring could make him happy; when he was giddy, it sobered him; and when he was joyful, it intensified and heightened his joy. The king awoke convinced that somewhere in the world there was such a ring. He summoned his ministers, described the dream and offered a fabulous reward for the one who found it Read more...

After finishing its discussion of the various types of sacrifices, our parshah turns its attention to the investiture of Aaron and his sons into the Priesthood, in Chapter 8 of Leviticus. Moses brings Aaron forward, and begins to dress him in the uniform of High Priest that we read about a few weeks ago in Parashat Tetzaveh: 7He put the tunic on him, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him, girding him with the decorated band with which he tied it to him. 8He put the breastpiece on him, and put into the breastpiece the Urim and Thummim. Read more...