This week’s parasha, Vayeira, is filled with action, dialogue, suspense and, most intriguing of all, silence. One of the most famous scenes of the Torah – the Akedah, or the Binding
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Lech Lecha, begins, “And God said to Abram: Lech lecha, Go forth from your native land and your father’s house to the land that I will show
Read moreThe second parasha of the Torah, Noach, contains two famous stories: The Flood and the Tower of Babel. Both reflect God’s displeasure with the actions of man, resulting in destruction (flood) and
Read moreThis week, we start at the beginning of all beginnings – parashat B’reisheet. We tend to think of Genesis as the book in which God creates lots of “things”, including heaven,
Read moreDuring the holiday of Sukkot, we are commanded to “…live in booths seven days.” The sukkah (notwithstanding our attempts to brace, bolt and batten down) is, by definition, a temporary
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Haazinu – “give ear” – frames a powerful scene, during which Moses makes his final speech to the Israelites. He passionately proclaims, “Give ear, O heavens, let me
Read moreTwo of our grandchildren visited with us recently. The younger, three years old, is at that wonderful stage of trying out her independence while keeping her parents and grandparents within sight,
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Nitzavim, brings us to the close of the Israelites’ wandering and foretells their entry into the Promised Land. We are also approaching the close of Elul, the month
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Ki Tavo, opens with a commandment to the Children of Israel. After settling the land that God has given them, they are told to gather some of the
Read moreThis week’s portion, Ki Tetze, is filled with rules and regulations that would be critical for a new society in a new land. The narration brings example after example of how uneven power
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