A curious phrase appears very few times in Tanakh, and yet comes up twice in this week’s parshah: ve-yareita mei-Elokecha, and you shall fear your God. When it is mentioned, the context is commandments between humans. Rina Krautwirth offers an empathetic approach to this expression and issues a charge to support the vulnerable.

In a brief essay for 929, Rabba Aliza Libman Baronofsky addresses the contronym that is the word “orma” and offers an algorithm to determine its meaning in a given context.

The kohen and metzora are diametrically opposed figures each representing one side of the life and purity cycles. Over the course of the path to purification, points out Rabbanit Tanya Farber, the metzora approaches the level of the kohen and perhaps even surpasses that level of purity. In fact, whether she comes readily or with resistance, she is able to become a mizbe’ach and source of purity.

Over the past year, women’s Talmud study has bloomed. From websites explaining daf yomi to women-led podcasts explaining daf yomi, daily gemara study has gotten significantly more accessible. Further, online resources offering access to all Torah texts in all languages have begun to crop up, allowing for a more diverse pool of Torah students, leading into International Women’s Talmud Day.

Immediately after God accepts the communal sacrifice with an awe-inspiring pillar of fire, there are two reactions: the nation falls to their faces, but Nadav and Avihu run to bring a fire of their own. Because of their actions, though, they are judged harshly by many commentators. Rabbi Emily Goldber Winer provides a new insight, suggesting that they came from a place of good in order to connect with the all-powerful God just as a child is in awe of a parent.

Maharatcast, Yeshivat Maharat’s very own podcast, is reviewed along with other Jewish podcasts.

As spring comes and the weather becomes more mild, things take a turn for the better. Rabbanit Goldie Guy and Rabbi David Wolkenfeld discuss the outdoor tefillot and communal gatherings, and then the mitzvah-- or is it mitzvot?-- of counting the Omer. Finally, meet Devorah Kaplowtiz and Talia Seidner, two shul members who started a creativity-focused Zoom camp for the community.

Parshat Tzav features a unique cantillation mark called the shalshelet which rises and falls thrice. Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe offers two interpretations, one practical and one psychological, to explain why it appears by the consecration of everything to be used in the service of God.

This Pesach collection of Torah thoughts features students from three institutions. Included in these articles are insights from Rabbi Avi Weiss, Nomi Kaltmann, Dr. Liz Shayne, Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe, Rabbanit Goldie Guy, Talia Weisberg, Rabbanit Michal Kohane, Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn, Rabba Aliza Libman Baronofsky, Dr. Sarit Kattan Gribetz and Rabbi Eryn London

Joining the other former Rabbinic interns in her community, Rabba Claudia Marbach speaks about the new understanding we have gained into the pain of the plagues, and the importance of carrying on tradition with this in mind.