There’s something fascinating about the structure of this week’s parasha. The third word in this portion, B’shalach, is “Pharaoh,” and the third-to-last word is “Amalek.” Pharaoh represents oppression—he enslaved Israel, killed its firstborn, and attempted to destroy the people entirely.…
Tag: Exodus
Bo – Reading Renewal Forward
Let’s talk about renewal. There’s something powerful about starting fresh—about moving forward, not just physically, but spiritually. It’s about embracing change and becoming more of who we’re meant to be as Israel, the people of the God of Israel. To…
Shemot – What’s to Know?
Listen to an audio version What is in a name? This is an apropos question since this week’s parsha begins with lots of names. In fact it is called Names or Shemot in Hebrew. It begins v’aleh shemot b’nei yisrael…
Beshalach – Buyer’s Remorse
Listen to an audio version Here in Connecticut all contracts require a three-day “cooling off” period, a time when all involved parties can examine their contractual obligations and determine whether or not they can honor them. This allows the parties…
Mishpatim – In The Presence Of The Lord
This week’s Torah portion Mishpatim can feel like a bit of a letdown following the sacred drama at Mount Sinai recorded for posterity in Yitro. At the conclusion of last week’s parasha Israel is given immortality with its designation as…
B’Shalach – Stuck In the Middle With You
There is something very interesting about the composition of this week’s parasha. The third word of this portion b’shalach is Pharaoh and the third to last is Amalek. Pharaoh oppressed and enslaved Israel killed its first born and eventually attempted…
Don Not Forget! A D’var Torah for Parashat Terumah and Shabbat Zachor
The Torah portion for this week, Terumah literally means a portion. It begins the divine instruction for the building and operation of the Mishkan as well as the appeal for the donations to do so. The unique tabernacle in which…
The Price of Hesed
Every year the gift-giving season comes earlier and earlier, to the point that some desperate merchandisers try to lure us into their stores with X-mas in August promotional ads. This year in reaction to the societal retreat due to Covid…
Tetsaveh – Do Not Forget!
The Torah portion for this week, Tetsaveh, literally “means you shall command.” It contains the remainder of the divine instruction for the building and operation of the Mishkan, the unique tabernacle in which Hashem promises to dwell with Israel during…
Accepting Our Heritage
It has been said that the life of Moses can be seen as three distinct movements, forty years each. First Moses spends the first forty years thinking he is somebody. He has fallen by providence into the royal court of…