by RabbiOlivier | May 19, 2017 | Torah Reflections
B’har – B’chukotai Leviticus 25:1 – 27:34 The Evolving God of Our Understanding The last Torah portion in the Book of Leviticus, B’chukotai, begins with: “If you follow My laws and faithfully observe My commandments…” [Lev. 26:3] and continues...
by RabbiOlivier | May 15, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Emor Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 Knowing God vs. Playing God The beginning verses in this week’s Torah portion are rather challenging to our current understanding of spirituality. They define an impossibly strict code of holiness for the priestly caste. In reading...
by RabbiOlivier | May 11, 2017 | General
On Friday, May 5, I was among nearly two dozen people who went to the Chase branch on Capitol Hill to pray and express our concern over the bank’s lead role in funding the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Elizabeth Burton of Bet Alef also took part, as did Seattle First...
by RabbiOlivier | May 8, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Acharei Mot – Kedoshim Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30 Drawing Closer Through Generosity There is an interesting passage in this week’s Torah portion that caught my eye this time around. God, through Moses, asks the Israelites to only bring sacrifices at the...
by RabbiOlivier | Apr 28, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Tazria-Met’zora Leviticus 12:1 – 15:33 We Are Energy Bodies This week’s Torah portion is, admittedly, a challenge to our modern sensibilities. This portion talks about tzara’at, a skin affliction most translators define as leprosy; although no one knows...
