by RabbiOlivier | Jul 7, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Balak Numbers 22:2 – 25:9 Happiness Beyond Thought This week’s Torah portion tells the story of Balak and Balaam. Balak is king of Moab. As the parashah opens, his kingdom is threatened to be invaded by the Israelite armies encamped at his borders. He and his...
by RabbiOlivier | Jun 19, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Sh’lach L’cha Numbers 13:1 – 15:41 Why The Spies Were Wrong This week, in Torah, we meet again the story of the twelve elders, leaders of the Hebrew tribes, whom Moses sends to spy upon the Land of Canaan ahead of the Israelites’ invasion. Returning...
by RabbiOlivier | Jun 12, 2017 | Torah Reflections
B’haalot’cha Numbers 8:1 – 12:16 The Many Branches of Our Inner Menorah The Eternal spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and say to him, “When you kindle the lamps, toward the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps cast light.” Aaron did so…...
by RabbiOlivier | Jun 2, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Nasso Numbers 4:21 – 7:89 The True Purpose of Blessing In our Torah reading this week we happen upon one of the central blessings of our tradition; the Priestly Blessing. And the Eternal spoke to Moses, saying; Speak to Aaron and to his sons saying; Thus you...
by RabbiOlivier | May 26, 2017 | Torah Reflections
B’midbar Numbers 1:1 – 4:20 Too Big to Fail “Too big to fail.” It seems this pithy phrase has become the new mantra of American life since 2008. Time and again our news media brandishes the fear of financial disaster if this company goes under, or that...
