by katie@betalef.org | Apr 22, 2021 | Torah Reflections
Acharei Mot – Kedoshim: Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30 “Drawing Near Through Generosity” There is an interesting passage in this week’s double Torah portion that caught my eye this time around. God, through Moses, asks the Israelites to only...
by katie@betalef.org | Apr 13, 2021 | Torah Reflections
Tazria – Metzora: Leviticus 12:1 – 13:51 “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...
by katie@betalef.org | Apr 8, 2021 | Torah Reflections
Sh’mini, Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 “What is God’s Will for Me?” Growing up, I always had difficulties, with the concept of “doing God’s will” that my rabbis often spoke of. Somehow, I was supposed to do “God’s will” in all my daily...
by katie@betalef.org | Mar 23, 2021 | Torah Reflections
VaYikra, Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36 “The End of The Universe” The early verses of this week’s Torah portion are translated by our mystics as follows: This is the Torah of the ascending-offering. This is the ascending-offering that stays on the...
by katie@betalef.org | Mar 18, 2021 | Torah Reflections
VaYikra, Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26 “How Will We Answer The Call?” “VaYikra el Mosheh vaYedaber YHVH elav me-ohel moed – He called to Moses. The Eternal One spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting.” [Lev. 1:1] Thus begins not only this week’s Torah...
by katie@betalef.org | Mar 10, 2021 | Torah Reflections
VaYak’hel – Pekudei, Exodus 35:1 – 40:48 “Our Spiritual Attitude Toward Work” This week’s double portion in our Torah reading marks the conclusion of the Book of Exodus. The construction of the Tabernacle begins in earnest, only...
