“Who is she that looks out like the dawn”This section opens with the verse, “And The Creator spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Yisrael that they bring Me an offering, ofevery man whose heart prompts him…” Rabbi Chiya points out that The Creator put all other nations under His ministers but chose to overseeYisrael Himself, having a wish to be specially connected … Continue reading Terumah Zohar
“And these are the judgments which you shall set before them”Rabbi Shimon says that the title verse refers to the rules concerning reincarnation – the judgments of souls that are to be sentenced according totheir punishable acts. Rabbi Shimon opened with the words, “And these are thejudgments which you shall set before them” (Shemot 21:1). ALSO INTHE ARAMAIC TRANSLATION, IT SPEAKS OF JUDGMENTS. Theseare the … Continue reading Parashat Mishpatim / פרשת משפטים
The Oral Law is a legal commentary on the Torah, explaining how its commandments are to be carried out. Common sense suggests that some sort of oral tradition was always needed to accompany the Written Law, because the Torah alone, even with its 613 commandments, is an insufficient guide to Jewish life. For example, the fourth of the Ten Commandments, ordains, “Remember the Sabbath day … Continue reading The Oral Law -Talmud & Mishna
