Category Archives: Uncategorized

The middle letter of the Torah is….

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The middle letter in the Torah is in this week’s reading, and is a Vav. It appears in the word gachon (belly) in Leviticus 11:42. A Torah scroll writer is called a sofer”, which literally means ‘someone who counts’. I … Continue reading →

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Holy Trash

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The whole idea of “sacrifices”… I can make sense of it etymologically, finding some meaning in the fact that “korban” (sacrifice) comes from k.r.v., “coming close”, and I do believe that the two are related; that becoming “close” can be … Continue reading →

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These Days of Purim: 3 shorts on a holiday that doesn’t make much sense

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

There is a word missing from Esther 5:1. It says, “and Esther wore royalties’ – ותלבש אסתר מלכות. Shouldn’t it have said, that she wore royal garments? But rather, she wore royalty itself. According to the Malbim (European commentator of … Continue reading →

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On Clothing and more

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

“Write down 5 of your identities”, asked the speaker, “the first 5 that come to mind”. What shall I write? What makes me who I am? I scribble one, then two, then think. 5 is surely not enough to describe … Continue reading →

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A Spotlight on a Family Reunion

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

About 2½ years ago, I got the first email. It had a lot of “maternal” and “paternal” in it, and a string of family relations I could not follow. The writer told me that he’s been looking for me since … Continue reading →

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When is Jewish Valentine Day?

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Source: When is Jewish Valentine Day?

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When is Jewish Valentine Day?

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Originally posted on Torah & more… תורה ועוד:
Valentine Day is coming up and the world has filled with red roses, fluffy teddy-bears and little cute chocolates, so that once a year we can “celebrate love”. Once a year is definitely better…

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what’s ahead on the journey

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Source: what’s ahead on the journey

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Darkness and New Beginnings

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

New Year’s Eve, Haifa, 2016. We’re walking back after watching the fireworks amidst raindrops, trying to figure out what is the origin of this custom we too got drawn into, and celebrate by default. I can’t help but bring up … Continue reading →

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Heading out: on the need to journey

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Why did Jacob leave his parents’ home for Haran? Of course, we “know”: he had to run away from Esau, his brother, who was going to kill him for stealing his blessing. But then, there are so many places he … Continue reading →

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