Author Archives: Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

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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IF you go out, then here’s the list… The Torah portion of Ki Tetze

Rudyard Kipling wrote his famous poem, “If”, about the first word in this week – and next week’s – Torah portion. Well, maybe. At least this is what comes to my mind this week when reading that “Ki”. “Ki” has … Continue reading

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Shoftim & Shotrim: 19S goes to see BlacKkKlansman

On my last visit to 19S Bellevue Hospital’s prison “med-surg” floor, R. is asking me to do something for him. This is exactly the sort of opening that prison authorities warn against: “no sooner will you go in there”, say … Continue reading

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On seeing angels – the Torah portion of Re’e

J. is a 50-year-old man. He’s tall and athletic; he walks with a dancing gait – that is, the short distance he’s allowed to do so in the hallway; he has short dreads and a well-trimmed beard, or at least … Continue reading

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“Eat a little something”… Parashat Ekev

This week we read the famous 3 words: ואכלת, ושבעת וברכת – “and you shall eat, and be satisfied and bless’ (Deuteronomy 8:10), and one must wonder: how did this turn into four paragraphs and some blessings and closing singing … Continue reading

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