by katie@betalef.org | Jan 11, 2023 | Torah Reflections
Shemot: Exodua 1:1 – 6:1 “Beyond Fear and Morality” The Book of Exodus opens with an accounting of the sons of Jacob—the brothers of Joseph—who have been living in Egypt at the invitation of Joseph and with permission from the pharaoh. After...
by katie@betalef.org | Jan 3, 2023 | Torah Reflections
Vayechi: Genesis 47:28 – 50:26 “A Zodiac Wheel in a Synagogue?” During one of our congregation’s trips to Israel, we made a stop at the archeological site of Bet Alpha, a sixth-century synagogue near Beit She’an. The synagogue is famous for...
by katie@betalef.org | Dec 14, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Chanukah Reflection 5783 “The Next Messiah” The holiday of Chanukah that begins Sunday night, 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...
by katie@betalef.org | Dec 7, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Vayishlach: Genesis 32:4 – 36:43 “Awakening Beyond Silence” One of the first revelations that meditation allows is an encounter with the unbelievable noise that lies within us. As if by magic, as soon as our eyes are closed an onslaught of...
by katie@betalef.org | Nov 30, 2022 | Torah Reflections
Vayeitzei: Genesis 28:10 – 32:3 “God Was in This Place” One verse above all others in this Torah portion encompasses the entirety of Kabbalistic thought: “Waking from his sleep, Jacob said, ‘Truly, the Eternal is in this place, and I did not...
