by katie@betalef.org | Nov 2, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Lech L’cha: Genesis 12:1 – 17:27 “What We Are Called Upon To Do” Ramban, Rabbi Moses Nachmanides (13th century Spain), comments at length on a verse in the Torah that at first glance does not seem to hold much importance in the early...
by katie@betalef.org | Oct 27, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Noah: Genesis 6:9 – 11:32 “The Outer Dimension of Sacred Space” Whereas a major theme of last week’s parashah (B’reishit) was the human inner dimension of Sacred Space, the two main events of Noah draw our attention to the outer dimensions of...
by katie@betalef.org | Oct 19, 2022 | Torah Reflections
B’reishit: Genesis 1:1 – 6:8 “Cain and Abel: A Teaching on Generosity” Abel was a Shepherd and Cain tilled the soil. And it was, after the passing of days, that Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the...
by katie@betalef.org | Oct 6, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Ha’azinu: Deuteronomy 32:1 – 52 “The Tears of Our Liberation” Found in this week’s Torah portion is a meditation for the High Holy Days. Know, now, that I AM; I AM Is-ness itself. I AM that which manifests as Creation,...
by katie@betalef.org | Sep 14, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Ki Teitzei: Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 “Tuning in to God’s Voice” As the rabbis of Talmudic times ordered the daily prayer schedule, they made sure we recite the Sh’ma—the central affirmation of our tradition—at least three times a day;...
by katie@betalef.org | Sep 7, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Ki Teitzei: Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 “Bridging Heaven and Earth” As we find ourselves entering the second half of the book of Deuteronomy, our weekly parasha/portion contains a record of individual, familial, and communal laws...