Taste of Limmud

Every week A Taste of Limmud brings Limmudniks a chance to learn from some of the most exciting and innovative Jewish educators from around the world, through a thought on the weekly parsha [Torah reading] from educators who have been presenters at Limmud events throughout the world, together with alternative voices sharing a thought on the themes raised by the parsha.

A Taste of Limmud is unique because it draws on some of Limmud's key principles. It offers the chance to engage in regular, high quality and accessible Jewish learning from an incredibly diverse range of educators from every perspective. We invite you to join the Limmud community around the world in shared Jewish learning.

 

About Taste of Limmud

Learn more about Taste of Limmud and how to subscribe, and see the archive of previous weeks. More

Malya Kurzwell on Chukat - Balak

This week’s double sedra begins with God instructing Moses and Aaron regarding the red heifer; Miriam dies; Moses hits a rock to bring forth water rather than speaking to it; Aaron dies. In Parashat Balak there is the story of King Balak of Moav, who asks the prophet Bilaam to curse the Israelites. God intervenes and makes Bilaam only able to bless the people instead. The Israelite men mix with the women of Moav and Midian and worship strange gods, angering God. The parsha concludes with the story of Pinchas slaying an Israelite man and Midianite woman. More

Steve Miller on Korach

Korach and his followers challenge Moses’ and Aharon’s leadership, and are swallowed by the earth and consumed by fire. A rebellion breaks out among the people, resulting in a plague which kills 14,700 people. A test reconfirms Aharon’s appointment as High Priest. The duties of the Priests and Levites, and their share in the produce, are described. More

Ben Baginsky on Shelach

Shelach Lecha is famous for the opening passage containing a description of the 12 spies entering the land of Israel. But it continues with those ubiquitous complaints about life in the desert from the children of Israel. It talks of sacrifice and a man found gathering sticks on the Sabbath who is stoned to death. It ends with what is now the third paragraph of the Shema – the command to make fringes in the corners of garments. More

More Taste of Limmud...

Beha'olotecha Aaron prepares the lamps for the menorah. More

Naso The families of Gershon and Merari are assigned to carry parts of the Mishkan. More

Bamidbar Bamidbar is the name both of this week’s sidra and of the book in the Bible it starts (in English the book of Numbers). More

Nathan Abrams This is a double portion. More

Acharei Mot – Kedoshim The double parsha Acharei Mot – Kedoshim starts by describing the laws relating to the sending out of the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement. More

Tazria-Metzora This is a double Torah portion. More

Shmini Shmini describes the consecration of the Mishkan (tabernacle) and its altar, during which Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, die as a result of offering ‘strange fire’. More