Hal Miller

Shabbat Parashat Emor - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller Speak to Aharon and to his sons that they keep themselves apart from the holy things of the children of Israel and do not profane My holy name which these sanctify to Me, I am Hashem. [Vayikra 22:2] The words "I am Hashem" or something very similar appear very regularly after various commandments in the last couple weekly portions and again this week. But they don't appear after every command. Why is there so much repetition

Shabbat Parashat Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller God spoke to Moshe after the death of the two sons of Aharon when they approached before God and they died. And God said to Moshe, speak to Aharon your brother, he may not come at all times into the Sanctuary, within the curtain, in front of the cover that is upon the Ark and he will not die, for with a cloud I appear upon the Ark cover. [Vayikra 16:1-2] Nadav and Avihu died earlier in Vayikra [10:1-2]. Thu

Shabbat Tazria-Metzora 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller When you arrive in the land of Canaan that I give you as a possession, and I will place a tzara'at affliction upon a house in the land of your possession [Vayikra 14:34] Our parsha describes the tzara'at affliction in clothing, houses and people. Why only in regard to houses does it say "when you arrive in the land"? One might try to differentiate that clothing and people can be found outside the land, but I would respond that

Shabbat Parashat Shemini - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller Aharon spoke to Moshe, was it they who this day offered their sin offering and their olah offering before God? Now that such things befell me, had I eaten the sin offering this day would God approve? [Vayikra 10:19] Rashi and others tell us that "the term dibur (spoke) is always a term of force" that Aharon was being harsh with Moshe. Why was Aharon apparently angry here? What is he speaking about? To begin, the law is th