This week's parsha

Unless otherwise noted, "This week's Parsha" comprises articles taken from contributors to the Chabad.org website. We show the original author's name here, so that proper attribution is given. For the sake of brevity, footnotes cited in the original author's writings are omitted from this website. If you need to see the citations, please refer to the original articles on the Chabad.org website.

Kosher Inside

Published: 03 April 2013 | Written by Tali Loewenthal

All Torah teachings apply on many different levels. The laws of kashrut detailed in the Book of Leviticus are no exception. First there is the practical dimension -- the animals, birds and fish we may eat. But there is also the personal spiritual dimension of the kosher laws -- a teaching to each individual about his or her path through life. The idea that some animals are kosher – which literally means "fit" and suitable – and others are not, tells us something about ourselves.

Within each of us there is a divine aspect, called the Divine Soul, which is focused on spirituality and altruistic goodness. The Divine Soul may express itself in our lives only rarely. How often are we involved with something spiritual? After all, the beautiful Shabbat atmosphere expressed at the Friday night table with candles burning is only once a week. More at the forefront of everyday desires, thoughts and behavior is the "Animal Soul."

Strange Fires

Published: 25 March 2013 | Written by Zalman Posner

Almost a year has passed since Israel left Egypt. The Sanctuary has just been completed. Aaron and his sons bring the offerings that formally dedicate the Sanctuary. "And a fire came forth from before G-d... on the altar." But the festivities are suddenly and tragically interrupted -- two of Aaron's sons die.

Precisely what they had done to deserve their fate is not too clear. There are a number of Rabbinic explanations, and the Scripture itself seems to permit several interpretations. Withal, the implications in the original verse seem clear enough in their application to contemporary Jewry. "They brought before G-d a strange fire which He had not commanded them."

Bad Hair Day?

Published: 19 March 2013 | Written by Levi Avtzon

We all have moods. Moods that affect the clothing we wear (I am in the brown shoes mood today), the lunch we eat (apricot jelly and peanut butter sandwich), the music we listen to (classical), and almost everything else in our lives, from the way we wake up in the morning to the nature of our nighttime dreams. And when we act in regrettable fashion, we, of course, blame it on the mood: "I am just having a bad day. Too bad!"

Unfortunately, moods can sometimes infringe on our relationship with G-d, and with our fellows as well. "I am just not in the mood for prayer," "I'll put on tefillin tomorrow," "I am not in the mood for my kids," "I am in the mood of wasting five hours of my life surfing the Web."