Author Archives: Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Live. Pray. Love – by – Moses

Posted on July 27, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Prayer and hospital go hand in hand. Or maybe it’s prayer and life. I remember a saying: “as long as there are tests, there will be prayers in public schools”. In the end, everybody prays, every blade of grass has … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Power of Goodbye – The Book of Deuteronomy & Shabbat Chazon

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The opening scene in the classic movie “Hair”, although set back in Oklahoma, those last minutes between father and son in the quiet foggy early morning, awaiting for the rickety bus to appear around the corner, always remind me of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The People of the Journey & the Journey of the People: Matot-Mas’ei

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

L and I are introduced warmly because “you’re both from Israel! isn’t it wonderful?!” I quickly notice that my Hebrew is too fast for her and that she has an accent I can’t quite place. The hospital worker who made … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

From Moses, Pinchas and “The Daughters”, to Joseph

Posted on July 5, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Last Sunday was the 17th of Tammuz, a fast day, which according to tradition, commemorates five calamities which befell the Jewish people on this day: 1. Moses broke the two tablets of stone on Mount Sinai; 2. The daily tamid … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Balak: It’s a great view from up here!

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

FJ comes down the hallway in his big smile and light, dancing gait, especially cheerful after a shower. “I feel like a new man”, he proclaims in his booming, friendly voice, as if he’s not wearing hospital pj’s, “and man, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Chukat: on struggle and love – בסוף יהיה טוב

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

A magnets in a store somewhere here says: “it’s going to be ok at the end. If it’s not ok, it’s not the end”. I am guessing its not based on a Rashi for this week’s Torah portion, but, then … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Korach: evaluating self-evaluation

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

On a week when we delve deep into dealing with dispute, a little message of peace can’t hurt:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNGqqFaahGY * * * * * * * This week’s reading presents us with The “role-model” for machloket – dispute or controversy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Parashat Sh’lach-Lecha on the 18th Fl

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

When the eye-doctor subs for the ear-doctor, he opens his class with: the ear is a very different organ from the eye. Let me tell you about the eye… I think about this silly little story countless times, and again … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Light up the path…

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

There are 10 different topics and stories in this week’s reading, opening with Aaron lighting the Menorah. The Menorah was made of 7 branches, 9 flowers, 11 knobs and 22 cups (as described in Exodus 25:31-29). The Kabbalists say that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Blessed be the Sotah

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

I’m debating this piece, soon to be published for “my” yeshiva, much more than others. The “Sotah” is something not to be touched. And if touched, it must be in a certain manner: the man is wrong; the woman is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment