Tag Archives: Torah

Counting as a Sign of Love: Emor, Behar & the 39 melcahot

Posted on May 15, 2020 by

Counting is an act of love. Initially this statement might not sound so good. It stands in contradiction with what we have been taught and therefore think of love: Love should be free, flowing, feely, not measured… Brrr… I think … Continue reading →

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To Be Seen – the Torah Portion of Va’era

Posted on January 4, 2019 by

There are three sets of 10’s in our tradition: Ten Utterances with which the world was created, the Ten Plagues, and the upcoming Ten Commandments, and with each one we have to wonder: why couldn’t G-d create the world with … Continue reading →

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To be… that is the Blessing – the Torah portion of Vayechi

Posted on December 21, 2018 by

Jacob and Joseph share many traits: both stay back in the tent with their parent; are young and favorite; have fantastic dreams and have great cries. Both will die in this week’s reading, and both will be particular about their … Continue reading →

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Sh’ma Abraham! The Torah portion of Vayera

Posted on October 26, 2018 by

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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Stand up! The King is coming! for Parashat Nitzavim

Posted on September 7, 2018 by

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

Posted on August 24, 2018 by

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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“Eat a little something”… Parashat Ekev

Posted on August 3, 2018 by

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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Live. Pray. Love – by – Moses

Posted on July 27, 2018 by

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 →

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

Posted on July 13, 2018 by

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 →

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Love math and more

Posted on April 27, 2018 by

In Daf Yomi (the daily Talmud page) we’re reading Masechet Z’vachim or “Tractate Slaughtered Offerings”; 120 pages of detailed descriptions what kind of actions and intentions should there be during the mostly meat sacrifices, which makes me think about meat … Continue reading →

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