by RabbiOlivier | Jan 26, 2018 | Torah Reflections
B’shalach Exodus 13:17 – 17:16 Then! 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 impassable sea; and they were closing in on us...
by RabbiOlivier | Jan 19, 2018 | Torah Reflections
Bo Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 From Pharaoh’s Slaves to God’s Slaves There is one peculiar word in Hebrew that is used interchangeably in this week’s Torah portion. While the Torah portion itself tells of the last plagues wrought upon Egypt by God and, in...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 15, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Mikeitz Genesis 41:1 – 44:17 Interpreting Dreams, Creating Reality This Torah portion begins with Pharaoh’s famous dreams. First, seven cows come up from the Nile fat and sturdy, followed by seven cows sickly and gaunt; the latter eat the former. Then, seven...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 8, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Vayeshev Genesis 37:1 – 40:23 Embracing Imbalance Vayeishev, the name and first word of this week’s Torah portion has caused much ink to be spilled. Vayeishev is translated in English to mean: “And he settled,” referring to Jacob finally settling down “in the...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 1, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Vayishlach Genesis 32:4 – 36:43 Awakening from Within the Silence One of the first revelations that meditation gifts us with is an encounter with the unbelievable noise that lies within us, right behind our closed eyes. As if by magic, as soon as our eyes...
