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 katie@betalef.org | Apr 1, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Sh’mini Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 Joy And The Possibility of Forgiveness The inaugural ceremony of the Tabernacle’s dedication and the ordination of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood which began with last week’s Torah portion, concludes this week. “BaYom...
by RabbiOlivier | Mar 25, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Tsav Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36 The Light of Our Heart In my approach to Torah, I see the text as myth, not reality. I presuppose that, as such, the stories it conveys speak of universal archetypes relating to the human spiritual journey, and seek to unpack the...
by RabbiOlivier | Mar 18, 2016 | Torah Reflections
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...
by RabbiOlivier | Mar 4, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Vayak’hel Exodus 35:1 – 40:38 Our Spiritual Attitude Toward Work This week’s portion in our Torah reading nears the conclusion of the Book of Exodus. The construction of the Tabernacle begins in earnest, only preceded by Moses gathering the entire...