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A Pleasing Scent רֵ֣יחַ נִיח֔וֹחַ
In this parsha where the clothing of the high priest is described in great detail, we also learn of the sacrifices made before God. These...
Leann Shamash
Feb 20, 20243 min read
Between
Reading about the golden cherubs in Parshat Terumah made me think of the concept of the space between two points as being the passageway...
Leann Shamash
Feb 13, 20243 min read
Blue סַּפִּ֔יר
Parshat Mishpatim is a turning point in our study of Torah, but also in the lives of the Israelites. The ten utterances have been heard...
Leann Shamash
Feb 6, 20243 min read
Breaking Bread
During this notable Parsha, Parshat Yitro, when the Israelites receive the Aseret Hadibrot (The Ten Commandments), I have chosen to write...
Leann Shamash
Jan 30, 20243 min read
Just for a Moment
The Song of the Sea is recalled each morning when the congregation rises and sings aloud its words. God is declared powerful, a God of...
Leann Shamash
Jan 23, 20243 min read
Lift Up Your Arms
”For Elisheva” Parshat Bo describes the physical action that Moses takes to bring the plague of locusts . Later in Exodus, God instructs...
Leann Shamash
Jan 17, 20242 min read
River Red
Parshat Vaera, the parsha where seven of the ten plagues are listed in all of their horror, is part of our yearly celebration of our...
Leann Shamash
Jan 10, 20243 min read
The Five
#parshatshemot A certain member of the house of Levi went and took [into his household as his wife] a woman of Levi. The woman conceived...
Leann Shamash
Jan 2, 20243 min read
Seventeen Years: A Song of Gratitude
Jacob lived seventeen years in the land of Egypt, so that the span of Jacob’s life came to one hundred and forty-seven years. Genesis...
Leann Shamash
Dec 26, 20233 min read
It's OK to Cry
#Vayigash #breisheet #joseph Someone I know posted on his Facebook feed this morning that today is October 78, 2023 , which is exactly...
Leann Shamash
Dec 20, 20232 min read
He Dreams of Papyrus
#miketz #parshatmiketz Well, this post is a week late, but I did want to post it. Parshat Mikeitz is within a series of parshiyot...
Leann Shamash
Dec 19, 20233 min read
Counting
Last night marked the fifth night of Chanukah. Chanukah is a holiday of counting, although it is not the only time we count during the...
Leann Shamash
Dec 12, 20232 min read
That Kid
#parshatvayeishev Two posts this week. I didn't want such an important parsha to go by without thinking about it and posting. Parshat...
Leann Shamash
Dec 7, 20233 min read
Be That Light
#chanukah #parshatvayeishev #bethelight This poem is to mark Chag Haurim, the holiday of Chanukah which will begin on Thursday evening at...
Leann Shamash
Dec 5, 20233 min read
Ben-oni
There is so much to write about in this parsha; so much to savor and learn from. A brief review of the Parsha reminds us of Yaakov's...
Leann Shamash
Nov 28, 20233 min read
My Heart is in the East
written with gratitude and respect for this United States, my home, and for my good countrymen and neighbors with whom I share this...
Leann Shamash
Nov 26, 20231 min read
Through the Lens
Parshat Veyeitzei : Genesis 28:10-32:3 Dear Readers, This post is not poetry, but asking you to be the imaginary photographer in this...
Leann Shamash
Nov 21, 20236 min read
A Rallying Cry
Before yesterday, November 14, 2023, becomes history, I wanted to write this post and present a (very imperfect and incomplete) set of...
Leann Shamash
Nov 15, 20232 min read
Keturah
Parshat Chayei Sarah begins with the announcement of the death of Sarah followed by Avraham's subsequent actions, including mourning his...
Leann Shamash
Nov 9, 20233 min read
A Prayer for the Severed Vav
This poem is for the Siyum of Masechet Kiddushin, which was completed yesterday in the Daf Yomi cycle. Today a new order was begun,...
Leann Shamash
Nov 4, 20233 min read
Oh, Mothers
Parshat Vayera contains the stories of three women. The first is the story of Lot’s wife, who fled S'dom with her husband Lot, before...
Leann Shamash
Oct 31, 20233 min read
On The Other Side of the Looking Glass
Parshat Lech Lecha is about journeys. The parsha starts out with a directive to Abram to leave that which was familiar to him, his...
Leann Shamash
Oct 25, 20232 min read
Eclipse
On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse was seen in parts of the United States. This was a partial eclipse of the sun, but it...
Leann Shamash
Oct 20, 20231 min read
Raindrops
October 17, 2023 This is a reprint of a post that I wrote three years ago for Parshat Noach. Somehow it feels that I should repeat it...
Leann Shamash
Oct 17, 20233 min read
Welcome to "Words Have Wings."
During the year following the death of a parent it is their children's responsibility to say the kaddish. This blog is a series of reflections while saying the kaddish for my late mother, Irma Gershkowitz.
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