Collections of Thoughts and Poetry

#shemot #parshatshemot #sefershemot #exodus #torah #tanach The books of Breisheet and Shemot are connected by the listing the names of the sons of Jacob. After that preliminary step and necessary connection we are introduced to a new set of characters, most of whom remain unnamed for now. Central to Parshat Shemot is the power of mothers. Both Yocheved and Bityah (the daughter of Pharaoh) are fighters and are willing to defy the system. One mother, Yocheved, is willing to r

#vayechi #parshatvayechi #seferbreisheet #genesis #jacob #yaakov #jacobsblessings #blessings #berchot #theblessingsofthesons #efraimandmenashe #breisheetcomestoanend There is a curious incident in Parshat Vayechi. As Ya’akov approaches his final days, he calls for his children to bless them. Yosef is informed that his father is on his death bed so he travels to see him and brings along his two sons, Efrayim and Menashe. Noticing Joseph’s sons, Israel asked, “Who are these?”

#vayigash #parshatvayigash #genesis #breisheet #josephstory #yehudahandyosef #sonsofjacob #windshields #forgiveness #crackedwindshield #cracked #brokenglass The cliffhanger of Sefer Breisheet, which is Parshat Vayigash, has arrived. Yehudah bravely approaches the grand Yosef, and in a memorable speech he makes the brother’s case before the second -in- command of Egypt. Hearing the speech, Yosef can no longer perpetuate his complicated ruse and breaks down before his stunned

#chanukah #lights #chanukahlights #lightchanukahcandles #seethelight #findingthepositive #hanukkah #hannukah #ner #nerot #parshatmiketz #breisheet #positivity #australia Over the course of the past few months, where the Jewish community has been riding a roller coaster of highs and lows; our community experienced another blow as the holiday of Chanukah approached. I had planned this post well before the events in Australia took place on the eve of Chanukah while we are livi

#vayeshev #vayeishev #parshatvayeishev #breisheet #seferbreisheet #joseph #esav #rivka #yitzhak #siblings #thetribesofisrael #jacob #leah #rachel #siblingrivalry #siblings #brothers #sisters #brothersandsisters Parshat Veyeishev finds us deep into the story of Yaakov and begins the sharp transition to the pivotal story of Yosef. Yaakov, perhaps accustomed to being brought up in a household where parents held favorites, slips easily into favoring Joseph, the son of his belov

#parshtvyishlach #parshatvayishlach #breisheet #seferbreisheet #dinah #leah #women #girls #violenceboutwomen When reading Parshat Vayishlach we read the story of the rape of Dinah by Shechem. The focus of the narrative is on Shechem's violence toward Dinah, his attraction to Dinah and then we read of the reactions of Ya'akov, the violence committed by Levi and Shimon. What we don't hear is the voice of Dinah. Midrashim are written about her, but where is her voice? Shabbat S

#vayetzei #vayeitzei #vayetzeh #breisheet #yaakov #leah #thanksgiving #parshatvayetzei #parshatvayeitzei #genesis #sheepandturkeys #family #familiesanddystfunction In Parshat Vayetzei, after Yaakov has already fled his homeland to Haran, dreamt his dream of angels ascending and descending, fathered multiple children with two wives who happen to be sisters and their hand maidens, and worked for Lavan for many years, it feels like it is time to return home. Much time had passe

#toldot #parshattoldot #yitzhak #rivka #aisav #yaakov #birthright #blessings #blindness #breisheet #genesis #torahmusingss #wordshavewings Parshat Toldot brings us the puzzling and dramatic story of the birthright which is sold for a pot of red lentil stew to a ravenously hungry Asav from his twin brother (and excellent cook), Yaakov. The tale is shared concisely: Isaac favored Esau because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah favored Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking a stew

The first words of Parshat Chayei Sarah informs us of the death of Sarah, but they do so in an unusual way, by highlighting her eventful life by separating the century, the decade and the individual years. וַיִּהְיוּ֙ חַיֵּ֣י שָׂרָ֔ה מֵאָ֥ה שָׁנָ֛ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְשֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים שְׁנֵ֖י חַיֵּ֥י שָׂרָֽה׃ Sarah’s lifetime—the span of Sarah’s life—came to one hundred and twenty-seven years. Genesis 23:1 Sarah's death seems so sudden and mysterious. As the Midrash says

#guests #welcomingguests #parshatvayera #vayera #hachnasatorchim #shabbat #opentents #opentent #feedingothers #hos pitality In Parshat Vayera, Chapter 18 of Genesis, if one follows along closely, one will note that Avraham models the many steps of opening one's home to guests. From the warm greetings, to the speedy preparations of sumptuous food, to serving with grace, making guests comfortable and then seeing them safely on their way, Parshat Vayera offers us sound advice f

#breisheet #lechlecha #parshatlechlecha #avraham #sarai #genesis #parshathashavua #parashathashavua #journeys #downsizing #aging Parashat Lech Lecha is about journeys, but it is also a chance to learn more about the first pivotals figures in our long and storied history. Within these few chapters we discover more about the great Avram and Sarai. From the rabbis we learn about Avram's emunah , his deep belief, but through his actions we also learn about his conviction and co

#babel #parashatnoach #ai #weapons #breisheet #genesis The Torah gives us two portions which bring us fascinating universal stories, which includes the story of Babel, found in Breishheet 11. Here we find humanity along with a new invention, bricks. How amazing to be able to build upward? Adding windows and doors and one has protection from the elements, but look, we can always build better! Higher and higher! Such a temptation to do more and more, using our skills. That ver

#breisheet #parshatbreisheet #seferbreisheet #appalachiantrail #hiking #thejoyofhiking #learning #chevruta #torahlearning #journeys #hiking #communities #limudtorah Happy Parashat Breisheet and welcome to a l Year and another step on the path of Limud Torah (Learning Torah) liiiiiiiiiiiilii iipiililillpp Ll Ll pop ill l pop This is a blog post about journeys and those who journey the hard way, by foot. I hope that you will read into it the parallels of the journey of Torah

#vzothabracha #parshatvzothabracha #seferdevarim #parasha #parashathashavua #simchattorah #torah #finalparsha #endings #endingsandbeginnings This is a post for the final words of Torah that we will read on Simchat Torah next week. _____________________________________________________________________________ V'Zot Habracha. And This is the Blessing. How fitting a title for this, the final parasha of the year; a parasha of blessings, endings and yet, potential. Isn't it intere

#Haazinu #seferdevarim #devarim #parashathaazinu #yomkippur #thegatesofheaven #rain #taanit #masechettaanit #dafyomi #wordshavewings...

Parshat Vayelech finds Moshe completing the writing of a Sefer Torah. On the final day of his life he transfers leadership to Joshua. The...

Parshat Netzavim, a parsha named for the act of standing, places us standing on the edge between Elul and Tishrei. The seasons are...

#kitavo #seferdevarim #parashathashavua #parsha #deuteronomy #devarim #parshatkitavo #wordshavewings #bikkurim #thingswegetright #elul...

#kiteitzei #parshatkiteitzei #talesofkindness #chesed #storytelling When I think about Parshat Ki Teitzei I think of kindness, so this...

#parshatshoftim #shoftim #devarim #seferdevarim #Elul. #gardens #garden #vegetablegardens #orchards #vineyards Sefer Devarim continues...