Category Archives: Uncategorized

Joseph, Olive Oil & Chag Habanot – 3 shorts for Shabbat Hanukkah-Rosh Hodesh Tevet

Posted on December 7, 2018 by

Exactly XX year ago, Miketz was the Torah reading on my Bat Mitzvah, and some years later, and many miles away, my son’s too. The bat mitzvah was at the reform synagogue, Ohr Chadash (a new light) in Haifa, Israel. … Continue reading →

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

“Vayeshev” (sitting) in Darkness (with a twinkling light far away….)

Posted on November 30, 2018 by

In the opening verse of this week’s Torah portion is says: א וַיֵּשֶׁב יַעֲקֹב, בְּאֶרֶץ מְגוּרֵי אָבִיו–בְּאֶרֶץ, כְּנָעַן. 1 And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojourning, in the land of Canaan. There are two verbs to describe … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

No Hollywood in Jacob’s journey – 3 shorts on Parashat Vayishlach

Posted on November 23, 2018 by

It’s a glorious sunny day in NYC, bright and beautiful. And 30 degrees. Fahrenheit. Need to layered up some, and remember that things are not always as they seem. In the Torah portion of Vayishlach, Jacob is traveling back after … Continue reading →

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

Two Jacobs, One Yisrael – Vayetze

Posted on November 16, 2018 by

Leaving NYC in the height of its first seasonal snowstorm, we land in Oakland CA, where the sky is a hazy pinkish-white with air quality ranking “the worst in the world”. There’s a strong recommendation not to leave indoor spaces, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Next up, “the future”

Posted on November 9, 2018 by

Last week Yitzchak (Isaac) brought Rivkah (Rebecca) into his mother’s tent in what seems to be a sweet gesture: ויבאה יצחק האהלה שרה אמו ויקח את־רבקה ותהי־לו לאשה ויאהבה וינחם יצחק אחרי אמו Isaac brought her into the tent of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

In the Land of Yitzchak & Yishma’el

Posted on November 2, 2018 by

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Lech Lecha Forever….

Posted on October 19, 2018 by

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment