December 13, 2024 ()
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December 13, 2024 ()
A short reflection on Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23) We are in the desert, all 2.4 million of us. We just left Egypt. We’re trying to create a society but it’s not going very well. There are many conflicts but only one judge, Moses. Imagine trying to rule over disputes for an entire nation. Every little problem […]
A short reflection on B’shalach (Exodus 13:17 – 17:16) If you’ve ever worked out with weights, you know that there comes a point when you hit a wall. No matter how much you struggle, you just can’t accomplish your goal because the weights you are attempting to lift are just beyond your physical capabilities. If you’re working […]
A short reflection on Bo (Exodus 10:1 – 13:16) The Ten Plagues were over. It was time to depart Egypt and the Israelites took a couple things with them — Jewelry, gold and clothes from the Egyptians. Their herds and flocks. Matzah. Yuck. AND…. the erev rav. The Torah states (Ex. 12:38), “And the erev rav went (up also) […]
A short reflection on Vaeira (Exodus 6:2 – 9:35) Many years ago, I read a book or two on negotiating. I fully admit that I no longer remember most of the rules which filled the books’ pages. But, there is one idea that has stuck with me as I watch international politics play out on my Apple […]
A short reflection on Shemot (Exodus 1:1 – 6:1) As we start a new book of our Torah, we find ourselves in the land of Egypt. Our numbers had swelled from the 70 that originally entered the land to over two million. A pharaoh who did not know Joseph began to worry about this large minority […]
A short reflection on Vayechi (Genesis 47:28 – 50:26) Time to do some math, calculators or even paper and pencil will do. In this week’s Torah portion, Vayechi, we learn that “Jacob lived seventeen years in the land of Egypt.” If he arrived in the second year of a seven year famine, how many years past the famine […]
A short reflection on Vayigash (Genesis 44:18 – 47:27) We created the path for our own self-destruction, a path which led to 400 years of slavery. We became slaves because of the power we gave to the position of Pharaoh the day we arrived as a small group of 70 Hebrews and accepted grain to […]
A short reflection on Mikketz (Genesis 41:1 – 44:17) Dream interpretation is a true skill. Our ancestor Joseph possessed that skill. He could interpret his own dreams and the dreams of others. In this week’s Torah portion, Mikketz, he interprets the Pharaoh’s dreams. What skill does it take to interpret dreams? Is there a prep course? […]
A short reflection on Vayeishev (Genesis 37:1 – 40:23) We have grown up believing that Jacob gave Joseph a gift as his favored child, a coat of many colors. But, the translation of “k’tonet passim” does not include the word “color.” K’tonet passim is more accurately translated as an ornamented tunic. Passim likely refers to […]
A short reflection on Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4 – 36:43) Fight or flight is a basic instinct. Our bodies instinctively turn to one impulse or the other in order to protect ourselves and those we love. We often lack the time to contemplate the best way out of a bad situation so our instincts take over. […]
