by katie@betalef.org | Aug 22, 2019 | Torah Reflections
Not on Bread Alone: Eikev Eikev: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25 A few verses into the weekly Parashah bring us to one of the most famous saying in Torah, tucked in the middle of one extraordinary verse: God let you live in want and hunger, and then He fed you manna, which...
by katie@betalef.org | Aug 16, 2019 | Torah Reflections
Because Love is Our Natural State: Va-etchanan Va-etchanan: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11 This week we find in our parashah the words that are at the center of our daily worship: the Sh’ma, and the first verses of the V’ahavta. While the Sh’ma is calling us to...
by katie@betalef.org | Jul 14, 2019 | Torah Reflections
Divine Creation is an Act of Boundless Love: Balak Balak: Numbers 22:2 – 25:9 One of the most popular writings of the Hebrew Bible is Pirkei Avot. Mistakenly translated as “Ethics of the Fathers,” it truly means: “First Principles.” Chapter 2 begins: “The world...
by katie@betalef.org | Jul 12, 2019 | Torah Reflections
Why God Sentenced Moses & Aaron to Death: Chukkat Chukkat: Numbers 19:1-22:1 YHVH spoke to Moses, saying: “Take the staff and assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron. Speak to the rock before their eyes, that it give water…” Moses and Aaron...
by katie@betalef.org | Jul 8, 2019 | Torah Reflections
When Korach Takes Over: Korach Korach: Numbers 16:1-18:32 We left the Israelites at the edge of the Promised Land last week. Twelve tribal leaders, who had gone to scope out the Land, had come back. Ten against two, they advised against entering into the Land,...
by katie@betalef.org | Jun 27, 2019 | Torah Reflections
They Warned Moses & They Were Right: Sh’lach L’cha Sh’lach L’cha: Numbers 13:1-15:41 This week’s Torah portion begins with the famous episode of the spies. Much has been said and written about this episode as it is a turning point in...
