The Torah

Judaism and Justice

The Jewish passion to repair the world.

What Was the Tabernacle (Mishkan)?

A portable sanctuary in the wilderness.

Who Was Moses in the Bible?

The greatest Jewish prophet led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Torah at Sinai, but he never entered the promised land.

The Golden Calf

As commonly understood, this biblical narrative condemns the first violation of the prohibition against idolatry--but it's not that simple.

Leviticus 19

This climactic chapter emphasizes the obligation to be holy in our dealings with our fellow human beings.

Slavery in the Bible

Deuteronomy's legal treatment of slavery is more humane than the parallel laws in Exodus, and more practical than those in Leviticus.

Who Was Korah?

Korah was punished for his rebellion, but his questioning of the need for human rulers has remained a living issue for later generations to contemplate.

Reading Genesis as a Book

The story of the family that will become the people of Israel is seen as the focus of a larger, universal history.

Deuteronomy 6:4–The Shema

While the Shema has been seen as a declaration of absolute monotheism, it has other meanings in its biblical and liturgical contexts.

Leviticus

Sometimes seen as inaccessible, Leviticus nevertheless contains important material about holiness.