by RabbiOlivier | Apr 19, 2019 | Torah Reflections
Mandatory Generosity at Our Seder Tonight, at our first Passover Seder, we will begin telling the story of our exodus from Egypt raising the matzah and saying in one voice: Ha lachma anya… This is the bread of affliction, the bread of simplicity, which our ancestors...
by RabbiOlivier | Apr 12, 2019 | Torah Reflections
Metzora Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33 The Liberating Power of Generosity This week marks the beginning of our Passover preparation. This spring cleaning is both an outer process of emptying our homes of the forbiddenchametz (product made of leavened wheat, barley, rye,...
by RabbiOlivier | Mar 29, 2019 | Torah Reflections
Sh’mini Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 What is God’s Will For Me? Why Are We Here? Growing up, I always had difficulties, with the concept of “doing God’s will” that my rabbis often spoke of. Somehow, I was supposed to do “God’s will” in all my daily...
by RabbiOlivier | Mar 22, 2019 | Torah Reflections
Tzav Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36 To The End of The Universe Tonight, at our first Passover Seder, we will begin telling the story of our exodus from Egypt raising the matzah and saying in one voice: Ha lachma anya… This is the bread of affliction, the bread of...
by RabbiOlivier | Mar 15, 2019 | Torah Reflections
VaYikra Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26 How Will We Answer The Call? “VaYikra el Mosheh vaYedaber YHVH elav me-ohel moed – He called to Moses. The Eternal One spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting.” [Lev. 1:1] Thus begins not only this week’s Torah portion, but the...
by RabbiOlivier | Mar 8, 2019 | Torah Reflections
Pekudei Exodus 38:21 – 40:38 Practices on The Way to Sinai This week’s Torah portion brings the book of Exodus to a close. On the surface, these past weeks told the story of our Exodus from Egypt (Mitzrayim) and our experience at Sinai; yet at a...
