Rabbi Avi Strausberg is the Director of National Learning Initiatives at Hadar, and is based in Washington, DC. She received her rabbinic ordination from Hebrew College in Boston and is a Wexner Graduate Fellow. She also holds a Masters in Jewish Education. Energized by engaging creatively with Jewish text, she has written several theatre pieces inspired by the Torah and maintains a Daf Yomi haiku blog in which she writes daily Talmudic haikus.
We read two parshas this week. Parashat Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30) – describes the Tabernacle ceremony of the Day of Atonement, establishes general rules for sacrifice and sanctuary, and lays down specific laws about sexual relationships. Parashat Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1- 20:27)- features God telling Moses to give the people of Israel a set of rules which are meant to help them live a life of holiness. These rules include variations on several of the ten commanments, as well as different laws concerning basic ethical behavior.
Previous Torah Talks on Acharei-Mot-Kedoshim
Rabbi Rick Jacobs – discussing the meaning of being holy.
Rabbi Laurence Bazer – discussing the relation between Yom Kippur and the celebration of Passover.
Rabbi Ilan Glazer – discussing the goat that is sent to Azazel on yom Kipur.
Rabbi Elyssa Joy Austerklein – discussing the meaning of holyness.
Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky – on Nadav and Avihu.
Rabbi Elie Abadie – on avoiding unethical behavior.
And only on Kedoshim:
