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.
Practices on Our Way to Sinai
Pekudei: Exodus 38:21 - 40:38 "Practices on Our 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 deeper...
Living Our Lives “All in!”
Ki Tissa: Exodus 30:11 - 34:35 "Living Our Lives "All in!"" It is fascinating to follow Moses’ spiritual evolution one Torah portion at a time. From the beginning of his story, we find him to be ambivalent toward the Israelites, remaining somewhat distant,...
The Power of Mitzvot
T'tzaveh: Exodus 27:20 - 30:10 "The Power of Mitzvot" This week’s Torah portion is called T’tzaveh, which is usually translated as “Instruct!” or “Command!” The word itself shares the same root as mitzvah which is also, most often, translated as “commandment.”...
Temples Within Temples Within Temples
T'rumah: 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 Ark: “V’asu Li Mik’dash, v’shachan’ti b’tocham – Let them make Me a Sanctuary that I might dwell among them.”...
The Angel Within
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...
The End of Belief
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...
God Works in Wondrous Ways
Bo: Exodus 10:1 - 13:16 "God Works 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...
Awakening to a Deeper Trust
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 required in order to be...
Four Jewish Noble Truths
Vayigash: Genesis 44:18 - 47:27 "Four Jewish Noble Truths" This week’s Torah portion marks the critical moment when Jacob and his clan descend into Egypt, setting up the stage for what will unfold next: enslavement, suffering, redemption and revelation. Jacob’s...
The Next Messiah
Chanukah Reflection 5782 "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...
Honoring Our Fears
Vayishlach: Genesis 32:4 - 36:43 "Honoring Our Fears" In the previous Torah portion we read about Jacob’s vision of the ladder that came to him in a dream. At the end of that vision God appears to him to say: “And here I am, with you. I will guard you wherever...
Vision Quest
Vayeitzei: Genesis 28:10 - 32:3 "Vision Quest" It is undeniable that some stones in Jerusalem radiate a certain energy. We, as Jews, come to pray at the Western Wall that supported the ancient Holy Temple built on Mount Moriah. We touch the stones of the Wall...