Ki Tavo

Ki Tavo Offering of the First Fruits The Providence Lithograph 1896 - 1913

Parashat Ki Tavo intertwines blessings and curses, echoing the consequences of choices and renewing the covenant between divinity and humanity.

Ki Tetze

Ki Tetze Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn James Shaw Crompton 1900

Parashat Ki Tetze covers ethical treatment of captives, kindness to the vulnerable, honest business practices, and more.

Ki Tisa

The Golden Calf (gouache on board, c. 1896–1902 by James Tissot)

Ki-Tisa (“When You Elevate”) opens as God tells Moses to collect a half-shekel donation from all Israelites and to anoint the Mishkan (Tabernacle), its vessels, and the priests. The Israelites worship the golden calf and Moses breaks the tablets. Moses beseeches God to forgive, and returns with a second set of tablets.

Tetzave

Kohanim breastplate and clothing

Parashat Tetzave reports God’s commands to bring olive oil for the lamp (מְנוֹרָה‎, Menorah), make sacred garments for the priests, conduct an ordination ceremony, and make an incense altar.

Teruma

Parashat Terumah The Tabernacle

Teruma (“Donation”) opens as God tells Moses to collect donated materials in order to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan (Tabernacle). God describes how to build the vessels that will fill the Mishkan – including the ark, table, menorah, and sacrificial altar – as well as the Mishkan’s walls and curtains.

Mishpatim

The Covenant Confirmed (late 19th or early 20th Century illustration by John Steeple Davis)

Parashat Mishpatim sets out a series of laws, which some scholars call the Covenant Code. It reports the people’s acceptance of the covenant with God.

Sweet, Sweet Torah!

The Water of Marah, engraving by Gérard Jollain, 1670.

Moshe mobilized the Israelites away from the Sea of Reeds. They came out to the desert of Shur, and they walked three days in the dessert, without finding water. They came to [the lake of] Marah, but they could not drink the water of Marah, for they were bitter, therefore it was named Marah. The […]