Torah Reflections
Each week, Rabbi Olivier prepares a written reflection on the weekly Torah portion. These provide yet another way to discover the texts sacred to Judaism and to prepare for Shabbat each week.
Torah Reflections: March 26 – April 1, 2017
VaYikra Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26 The Fire of Divine Love The last few Torah portions of the Book of Exodus were, as we have seen, focused on the building of the Tabernacle in the wilderness; a Sacred Space amidst the traveling Israelite tribes where God came to dwell. We...
Torah Reflections: March 12 – 18, 2017
Ki Tissa Exodus 30:11 - 34:35 Living Our Lives "All in!" I have been fascinated, this year, by Moses’ spiritual evolution one Torah portion at a time. Since the beginning, I noticed, Moses has been ambivalent toward the Israelites; remaining somewhat distant, aloof....
Torah Reflections: March 5 – 11, 2017
T'tzaveh Exodus 27:20 - 30:10 You Are The Eternal One This week’s Torah portion speaks of the ordination of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. Ornate garments are designed by the artists among the people for the ceremony, sewn together and decorated with gold,...
Torah Reflections: February 26 – March 4, 2017
Mishpatim Exodus 25:1 - 27:19 Temples Within Temples Within Temples We find, in this week’s Parashah the Divine injunction that adorns Bet Alef’s new ark: “V’asu Li Mik’dash, v’Shachan’ti b’tocham – Let them make Me a Sanctuary that I might dwell among them.” [Exod....
Torah Reflections: February 19 – 25, 2017
Mishpatim Exodus 21:1 - 24:18 The Angel Within Can you imagine what it must have been like the day after? Just yesterday we were at the foot of Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. It was big. It was thunderous. Our bodies were shaking, our senses were...
Torah Reflections: February 12 – 18, 2017
Yitro Exodus 18:1 - 20:23 The End of Belief We finally reached Mount Sinai, ten weeks after escaping Egypt. There, Moses told us we had three days to purify ourselves and wash our clothing in preparation for our meeting with God. And as morning dawned on the third...
Torah Reflections: January 29 – February 4, 2017
Bo Exodus 10:1 - 13:16 God Acts in Wondrous Ways Our Torah portion opens, this week, with the last four plagues to befall Egypt. “Then the Eternal One said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh. For I have hardened his heart… so that I may display My signs among them, and that you...
Torah Reflections: January 22 – 28, 2017
Va'eira Exodus 6:2 - 9:35 Many Faces of God 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: “God spoke to Moses.” It is such...
Torah Reflections: January 15 – 21, 2017
Sh'mot Exodus 1:1 - 6:1 Beyond Fear and Morality This week we open the Book of Exodus. Jacob and his sons settled in Egypt as Joseph, then Viceroy, invited them to. After that generation dies out we are told, “the Israelites were fertile and prolific; they multiplied...
Torah Reflections: January 15 – 21, 2017
Sh'mot Exodus 1:1 - 6:1 Beyond Fear and Morality This week we open the Book of Exodus. Jacob and his sons settled in Egypt as Joseph, then Viceroy, invited them to. After that generation dies out we are told, “the Israelites were fertile and prolific; they multiplied...
Torah Reflections: January 8 – 14, 2017
Vayechi Genesis 47:28 - 50:26 Conditioned Happiness Last week as I studied the Torah portion, after reading numerous rabbinic commentaries, an image emerged of Jacob’s soul-to soul connection to his son, Benjamin. Upon reading this week’s portion and many more...
Torah Reflections: January 1 – 7, 2017
Vayigash Genesis 44:18 - 47:27 Accountability & Free Will Chapter 45 is pivotal in the Book of Genesis. Joseph, Jacob’s favored son, who had been second-in-command of Egypt for the past nine years, reveals himself to his brothers after they come to Pharaoh’s court...