by katie@betalef.org | Feb 2, 2021 | Torah Reflections
One With The One: Yitro Yitro: Exodus 18:1 – 20:23 Now Moses went up to God. The Eternal One called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob and declare to the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the...
by katie@betalef.org | Jan 30, 2021 | Torah Reflections
Why Did They Have to Drown?: B’Shalach B’Shalach: Exodus 13:17 – 17:16 The Song at The Sea with its archaic Hebrew style—when compared to the rest of Torah—is probably the most ancient text in the entire Jewish canon. It describes Moses and...
by katie@betalef.org | Jan 19, 2021 | Torah Reflections
Freedom Through Compassion: Bo Bo: Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 The verses of our weekly Torah reading focuses on the ten plagues that God inflicts upon Egypt as part of His liberation plan for us. Following each Divine strike, Moses is sent to plead with Pharaoh...
by katie@betalef.org | Jan 15, 2021 | Torah Reflections
The Many Names of God: Va’Eira Va’Eira: Exodus 6:2 – 9:35 This week’s Torah portion opens with a compelling affirmation: “God (Elohim) spoke to Moses and said to him: ‘I Am the Eternal (YHVH).’” [Ex. 6:2] I often wonder how people read this opening:...
by katie@betalef.org | Dec 9, 2020 | Torah Reflections
We, Truly, Make a Difference: VaYeishev VaYeishev: Genesis 37:1 – 40:23 Reuben is a character that is mostly overlooked in these weeks’ Torah portions dominated by the stories of Jacob and Joseph. Reuben is Jacob’s firstborn son, from his first wife,...
by katie@betalef.org | Dec 2, 2020 | Torah Reflections
The Gorgeous Gift of Being Surrendered: VaYishlach VaYishlach: Genesis 32:4 – 36:43 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,...
