by RabbiOlivier | Apr 16, 2016 | General
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 forbidden chametz (product made of leavened wheat, barley,...
by RabbiOlivier | Apr 9, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Tazria Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59 Sin is a Divine Gift Our weekly Torah reading begins laying out spiritual practices connected to human birth: “Ishah ki tazria… – When a woman conceives…” [Lev. 12:2] In his commentary on these three words, Rashi (11th...
by RabbiOlivier | Feb 26, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Ki Tissa Exodus 30:11 – 34:35 What if Moses Never Came Back? When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, the people gathered against Aaron and said to him: Arise, make us a god who will go before us, for that fellow...
by RabbiOlivier | Feb 19, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Tetzaveh Exodus 27:20 – 30:10 The Olive Oil Paradigm You shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light, to kindle an eternal light. Aaron and his sons shall set it up in the Tent of Meeting, outside the...
by RabbiOlivier | Feb 5, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Mishpatim Exodus 21:1 – 24:18 You Shall Be Holy Both this past week and this week’s Torah portions speak of God’s desire for us to be holy. Last week, just before the Decalogue, God said: “… all the earth is Mine, and you shall be to Me… a holy nation.”...