In the first parasha of the third book of the Torah, Vayikra, there is a long discussion of the obligations and methods of animal sacrifice. The animal is killed and consumed by fire. The physical remains cease to exist. Those who partake in and observe this ritual are vicariously experiencing the transition to death. DespiteContinue reading “Understanding Animal Sacrifice in Spiritual Practices”
Category Archives: Spiritual / Material Interaction
PARASHA TETZAVEH – CLOTHING
This is the parasha in which every word is God speaking. A main topic is describing the garments of the priests. This highlights the importance of the clothes we wear. Clothing is intimately associated with our holiness. In the Torah, God commands us to be Holy. We distinguish ourselves from all other lifeforms on theContinue reading “PARASHA TETZAVEH – CLOTHING”
BUILDING THE SANCTUARY IN THE DESERT
The English title of the second book of the Torah is “Exodus,” because this is the book wherein the children of Israel leave Egypt. It is also the book that contains the giving of the Ten Commandments. Significant happenings. This book consists of eleven chapters. The last five chapters are dedicated to the building ofContinue reading “BUILDING THE SANCTUARY IN THE DESERT”
REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 2 of 7
WHAT REINCARNATES? Those who accept reincarnation believe that some essential component of a person living in the past must undergo transference to a different individual who lived at a later time. Presumably, experiences, knowledge, and emotions have become embedded within the recipient such that this person is able to recall the earthly adventures of aContinue reading “REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 2 of 7”
REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 1 of 7
DEFINITION AND PROOF Generally, when we speak of reincarnation, we mean that our essence has reappeared in a new human body. This is the connotation pertinent to the following discussion. There are broader implications to this concept. One is that this essence can be reborn into any form of life. Another is that it canContinue reading “REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 1 of 7”
UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUALITY
A common theme in many of my blogs is the importance and relevance of seeking a spiritual connection in life. I find that focusing on, connecting with, and nourishing our spiritual nature adds expansiveness and transcendence to the material world we live in. Awakening the human spiritual energies is the path to becoming Holy. TheContinue reading “UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUALITY”
AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY GOD RESTED
After six “days” of the difficult and taxing work of creating the universe, God rested. Have no misconception, creating a physical world was a mighty effort. God, purely spiritual by nature, set about to create something completely new, never before existed. Nothing about this new world bore any resemblance to the harmony, limitless, and absoluteContinue reading “AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY GOD RESTED”
BLESSINGS AND CURSES
In the fifth book of the Torah, Deuteronomy, in Parasha Ki Tavo, Moses declares to his people that they must follow God. If they do, they will be blessed. If they do not, they will be cursed. It begins with 12 verses of the Levite tribe issuing curses. This is followed by ten and aContinue reading “BLESSINGS AND CURSES”
LISTENING TO OTHERS
One morning, after a night on call as a fourth-year medical student, my friend Tom and I decided we wanted to go to a movie. The Cecil B. DeMIlle film, “The Ten Commandments,” was playing at a downtown theater. Thinking the place would be empty on a Wednesday noon show, we were surprised that theContinue reading “LISTENING TO OTHERS”
THE DEATH OF THE SONS OF AARON
The third book of the Torah, Leviticus, is titled Vayikra in Hebrew. This means “calling,” because God called (addressed) Moses. The first section of this book is also called Vayikra. Within is told the story of the death of Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu. They brought “strange fire” into the most sacred section of theContinue reading “THE DEATH OF THE SONS OF AARON”
Health and Spirit by Dr. Jack Zoldan 