Author Archives: Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

In the Land of Yitzchak & Yishma’el

This week’s reading, Chayey Sarah – “The Life of Sarah”, opens with Sarah’s death, and Abraham seeking to purchase for her a burial place, achuzat kever. Rabbi Hirsch (19th century Germany) shares a beautiful explanation, and so he writes: “To … Continue reading

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Sh’ma Abraham! The Torah portion of Vayera

Jane: Honey, what is that wooden sled still doing here? Every time I walk into the garage, I almost trip over this thing! I hate it! I need you to lose it and asap! Joe: Honey! How could you ask … Continue reading

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Lech Lecha Forever….

I loved many things about “Forever”, the relatively new – and excellent – Amazon show, although it took me a little while to figure out and get used to. There are many ideas to discuss, best is the unexpected ending, … Continue reading

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Once upon an Ark – Parashat Noah

The second day of creation is the only day that doesn’t get a “good” (or “very good”) grade. Ten generations later, we find out why, when the flood covers the earth. It is as if G-d blew air into the … Continue reading

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Presenting: the Spiral- the Torah portion of Beresheet

Our story of creation is a crazy story. It should have gone like this: ‘Once, whenever, G-d said poof and there was a perfect world; the end’. Instead, we have this: first G-d makes light. Then S/He says, this is … Continue reading

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Listen, Sukkot is almost here! Parashat Ha’azinu and the upcoming holiday

This Shabbat we read a song, Shirat Ha’azinu. What is the difference between prayer and song? The Kabbalist point out that the words for tefila (prayer) and shira (song) have the same numerical value (515), as if to say that … Continue reading

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Moshe and his fitbit – The Torah portion of Vayelech

I love Moshe in the Torah portion of Vayeylech, the shortest parasha in the Torah: at 120 years old, he walks. And not for his own musing, but in order to talk to the People “all these things” (Deuteronomy 31:1). … Continue reading

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This Rosh Hashana holiday, what is it all about?

Why do we celebrate Rosh Hashana? We often say, “it’s the birthday of the world!” and it is, but… turns out, it’s a bit more complicated than that. According to Rav Uri Sherki, every Jewish holiday is connected to a … Continue reading

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Stand up! The King is coming! for Parashat Nitzavim

The Torah portion of ניצבים- Nitzavim – standing guarding and attending – is always read before Rosh Hashana, and as I often say, this is definitely one of my 54 most favorite readings. It is home to the famous לא … Continue reading

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Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Ki Tavo

In the process of “going and coming” and of finding balance, Parashat Ki Tavo can be hard to read. So much so that a major part of it is customarily read by many in whisper. It starts all nice with … Continue reading

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