by katie@betalef.org | Jan 18, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Yitro: Exodus 18:1 – 20:23 “The End of Belief” We finally reached Mount Sinai, ten weeks after escaping Egypt. There, Moses told us we had three days to purify ourselves and wash our clothing in preparation for our meeting with God. And as...
by katie@betalef.org | Jan 11, 2022 | General
B’Shalach: Exodus 13:17 – 17:16 “God Works in Wondrous Ways” This week’s Torah portion has all the traits of a great adventure novel. We ran away, but they pursued us. We took an unexpected turn that brought us to the edge of an...
by katie@betalef.org | Jan 5, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Bo: Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 “God Works in Wondrous Ways” Our Torah portion opens, this week, with the last four plagues to befall Egypt. Then the Eternal One said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh. For I have hardened his heart… so that I...
by katie@betalef.org | Dec 15, 2021 | Torah Reflections
Vayechi: Genesis 47:28 – 50:26 “Awakening to a Deeper Trust” Trust is a central tenet in our tradition. Judaism is not a creedal religion, by which I mean that no acceptance of a specific theological system, no adoption of dogma, is required...
by katie@betalef.org | Dec 8, 2021 | Torah Reflections
Vayigash: Genesis 44:18 – 47:27 “Four Jewish Noble Truths” This week’s Torah portion marks the critical moment when Jacob and his clan descend into Egypt, setting up the stage for what will unfold next: enslavement, suffering, redemption and...
