by katie@betalef.org | Nov 24, 2020 | Torah Reflections
God Was In This Place!: VaYeitzei VaYeitzei: Genesis 28:10 – 32:3 There is one verse in this week’s Torah portion which encompasses the entirety of the Kabbalistic endeavor: “Waking from his sleep, Jacob said, ‘Truly, the Eternal is in this place, and I...
by katie@betalef.org | Nov 18, 2020 | Torah Reflections
Inward Bound: Tol’dot Tol’dot: Genesis 25:19 – 28:9 There is a popular ice-breaker I often use to start a workshop or a meeting. I ask the people present, as they introduce themselves to the group, to add before their name an adjective that...
by katie@betalef.org | Nov 11, 2020 | Torah Reflections
When Isaac Met Rebekah: Chayei Sarah Chayei Sarah: Genesis 23:1 – 25:18 This week’s Torah portion opens with Sarah’s death. After Abraham mourns her, he sets out to accomplish his last fatherly duty before he, too, makes his transition: finding a wife for...
by katie@betalef.org | Nov 5, 2020 | Torah Reflections
The Spiritual Aim of Circumcision: VaYera VaYera: Genesis 18:1 – 22:24 The subject of circumcision has engendered much controversy over the past few years. Should we or should we not, as a Jewish people, continue to honor this millennia old tradition that...
by katie@betalef.org | Oct 30, 2020 | Torah Reflections
What We Are Called Upon To Do: Lech Lecha Lech Lecha: Genesis 12:1 – 17:27 Ramban, Rabbi Moses Nachmanides (13th century Spain,) comments at length on a verse in the Torah which does not seem to hold much importance in the early unfolding of Abraham’s...
by katie@betalef.org | Oct 30, 2020 | Torah Reflections
A Righteous Man in His Generation?: Noach Noach: Genesis 6:9 – 11:32 There is a thought-provoking Midrash about Noah from this week’s Torah portion that details a debate between two rabbis as to why the biblical author begins with introducing Noah as “a...
