by katie@betalef.org | Oct 13, 2020 | Torah Reflections
In The Image of God: B’reshit B’reshit: Genesis 1:1 – 6:8 As the Torah scroll is open once more to its very first word, and the annual cycle of our Torah study begins again, we are immediately plunged into the grand story of creation of sacred...
by katie@betalef.org | Oct 7, 2020 | Torah Reflections
A Kabbalistic Dig: V’Zot HaBrachah V’Zot HaBrachah: Deuteronomy 33:1 – 34:12 Several Chasidic Masters associate Moses with the Sephirah of Da’at of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. The Sephirah of Da’at is known as the hidden Sephirah, situated...
by katie@betalef.org | Sep 24, 2020 | Torah Reflections
The Tears of Our Liberation: HaAzinu HaAzinu: Deuteronomy 32:1 – 52 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, there is nothing...
by katie@betalef.org | Sep 2, 2020 | Torah Reflections
Tuning in to God’s Voice: Ki Tavo Ki Tavo: Deuteronomy 26:1 – 29:8 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; during...
by katie@betalef.org | Aug 28, 2020 | Torah Reflections
Bridging Heaven & Earth: Ki Teitzei Ki Teitzei: Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 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 and mitzvot. In...
by katie@betalef.org | Aug 19, 2020 | Torah Reflections
Humility is Not Humiliation: Shoftim Shoftim: Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9 This week is the first week of Elul, the month leading up to Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year. It is traditionally a time dedicated to introspection, to reviewing the year that was,...
