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 – February 8 – 14, 2015
Mishpatim Exodus 21:1 - 24:18 Our Highest Spiritual Principles When a person's ox injures a neighbor's ox and it dies, they shall sell the live ox and divide its price; they shall also divide the dead animal. If, however, it is known that the ox was...
Torah Reflections – February 1-7, 2015
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...
Torah Reflections – January 11-17, 2015
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...
Torah Reflections – December 28, 2015 – January 3, 2015
Vayechi Genesis 47:28 - 50:26 Awakening to a Deeper Trust Trust is a central tenet in our tradition. Judaism is not a creedal religion, by which I mean that no acceptance of a specific theological system, no adoption of dogma, is...
Torah Reflections – December 14-20, 2014
Miketz Genesis 41:1 - 44:17 The Next Messiah The holiday of Chanukah is a celebration of light, the commemoration of an ancient miracle. It is a time for us to reflect on the light in our life, and be reminded of the miracle that is life. Chanukah means "dedication."...
Torah Reflections – December 7-13, 2014
Vayeishev Genesis 37:1 - 40:23 You Make a Difference Reuben is a character that is mostly overlooked in these weeks' Torah portions dominated by the stories of Jacob and Joseph. Reuben is Jacob's firstborn son, from his first wife, Leah....
Torah Reflections December 30 – November 6, 2014
Vayishlach Genesis 32:4 - 36:43 Awakening Beyond Silence One of the first revelations that meditation allows is one's encounter with the unbelievable noise which lies within us, right behind our closed eyes. As if by magic, as soon as our eyes are closed an onslaught...
Torah Reflections – November 16 – 22, 2014
Tol'dot Genesis 25:19 - 28:9 Inward Bound 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 reflects who they...
Torah Reflections – November 9-15, 2014
Chayei Sarah Genesis 23:1 - 25:18 I originally posted these Reflections on Chayei Sarah last year. They are, today, more relevant to me than ever before, and seem to capture perfectly where I currently find myself on this amazing spiritual journey that accompanies my...
Torah Reflections – November 2 – 8, 2014
Vayeira Genesis 18:1 - 22:24 Beyond Our Need For Justice In his life storyline, Abraham has not always risen to the occasion of his ethical challenges. Yet this aspect of his story his worthy of praise: his standing up to God in the episode of...
Torah Reflections – October 12 – 18, 2014
Bereishit Genesis 1:1 - 6:8 In The Image of God 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 space. In...
Torah Reflections – September 7 to 13, 2014
Ki Tavo Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8 Let Your Heart Crack Open This week's Torah portion begins: When you enter the land that the Eternal your God is giving your as a heritage, and you possess it and settle in it, you shall take some of every fruit of the soil, which...