This week in Torah, begins with the word r’eih (רְאֵה) “see.” We are reminded to see the world around us, and to see the choices of others and the consequences of our own actions. The parsha begins with Adonai speaking in a construct that is not part of the English language – the second person […]
Speak These Words…Take Steps That Make a Difference
This week we read Parshat V’etchanan. The portion includes the words of the first paragraph of the V’Ahavta, the text that follows the Sh’ma in our liturgy. We are reminded to speak and act in ways that “live Torah” at home and out in public, from the time we awaken until the time we lay […]
May We Teach Our Children Well
As we come to the end of the tales of our wanderings through the wilderness – the last readings in the Book of Numbers – I find once again a richness of topics to explore. Yet, I really don’t want to talk about the things that have been discussed so many times before – issues […]
Embraced By Our Breaths
Our tradition teaches that we are each endowed with three “levels” of the soul. The deepest, innermost level is the neshama – the spark or ember deep inside – that is given by G-d. It is the neshama that we speak of in Hebrew in the liturgy when we recite, “The soul that you have […]
We Need Both Views
I love Parshat Balak. How can one not enjoy a moment of comic relief – and the tale of a talking donkey!? OK, I will date myself and admit that I did enjoy re-runs of Mr. Ed when I was growing up. Yet, beyond the comedy there is much seriousness, and much we can learn. […]
The Sacred Act of Schlepping
Much happens in Parshat Chukat, Miriam dies. Moses, still grieving for his sister and stressing under his long held burden of leading a quarrelsome, complaining group, hits the rock instead of ordering it to bring forth water, and though water rushes forth, he is told he will not enter the Promised Land. Later, Aaron dies […]
Step into the Midst
This week’s parsha begins with a “showdown at the Wilderness Corral” as a group of leaders led by Korach, Dathan, and Abriram publicly challenge Moses and Aaron’s leadership. Gathering 250 family community leaders around them, the three question why Moses and Aaron should hold all of the power when the entire community was identified as […]
He Who Shouts the Loudest is Not Always Right
In this week’s Parshat Sh’lach L’cha, Moses is told to select a leader from each tribe and to charge them to move forward to scout out the land of Canaan ahead of the arrival of the multitude of Israelites. As the tale unfolds we learn that the scouts unanimously report that they found a land […]
If You’re Sick, Stay Away!
Like all Torah portions, Parshat Taz’ria has been commented upon extensively by rabbis and scholars. Those who are more contemporary and equality focused tend to speak about the inherent inequality of the first chapter which outlines the period of “uncleanliness” that a woman faces after giving birth, which is 30 days if she gives birth […]
Our Brokenness Makes Us Whole
This week, in the midst of Pesach, we return to the Book of Exodus. On Shabbat we read of Moses’ return to the top of Mount Sinai to create a second set of tablets while he has another opportunity to study with G-d. Ultimately, these “whole tablets” will be placed in the Mishkan’s Holy of […]
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