Tag: Ki Tisa
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Touching the Edge of Life
The Torah recognises that death and pain change the texture of the air around us. In this sermon for Shabbat Parah, Rabbi Adrian explores the ancient ritual of the Red Heifer (Parah Adumah) from Numbers 19. While we often focus on the bereaved, the Torah highlights a striking paradox: those who help others become “pure”…
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In the Shadow of Beauty
Shabbat Ki Tissa brings us face to face with a rare figure in our tradition—Bezalel, an artist whose name itself means “in the shadow of God.” Bezalel’s job was special: crafting the Tabernacle, creating beauty as an act of holiness. But wait: Judaism doesn’t exactly have a reputation for cherishing visual art, does it? Why…
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Rabbi, do you believe in God?
‘I hear that nowadays Rabbis don’t have to believe in God – Rabbi, do you believe in God?’ You know, this question comes up surprisingly often in my life as a rabbi. Sometimes it’s asked earnestly, other times it’s more playful—but honestly, I find myself asking it too. I suspect many of you have faced…
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Ki Tisa: A second chance
Chaverim,This week’s Torah portion interrupts the description of the building of the Tabernacle with a narrative section that includes the story of the Golden Calf, and — although perhaps less famously — the most chutzpadik (impertinent) question in the whole Torah. The question comes after Moses has negotiated twice with God on behalf of the Israelites, with…
