by RabbiOlivier | Jun 19, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Sh’lach L’cha Numbers 13:1 – 15:41 Why The Spies Were Wrong This week, in Torah, we meet again the story of the twelve elders, leaders of the Hebrew tribes, whom Moses sends to spy upon the Land of Canaan ahead of the Israelites’ invasion. Returning...
by RabbiOlivier | Jun 2, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Nasso Numbers 4:21 – 7:89 The True Purpose of Blessing In our Torah reading this week we happen upon one of the central blessings of our tradition; the Priestly Blessing. And the Eternal spoke to Moses, saying; Speak to Aaron and to his sons saying; Thus you...
by RabbiOlivier | Mar 20, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Ki Tissa Exodus 30:11 – 34:35 Living Our Lives “All in!” I have been fascinated, this year, by Moses’ spiritual evolution one Torah portion at a time. Since the beginning, I noticed, Moses has been ambivalent toward the Israelites; remaining somewhat...
by RabbiOlivier | Mar 13, 2017 | Torah Reflections
T’tzaveh Exodus 27:20 – 30:10 You Are The Eternal One This week’s Torah portion speaks of the ordination of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. Ornate garments are designed by the artists among the people for the ceremony, sewn together and decorated...
by RabbiOlivier | Jan 30, 2017 | General, Torah Reflections
Va’eira Exodus 6:2 – 9:35 Many Faces of God This week’s Torah portion opens with a compelling affirmation: “God (Elohim) spoke to Moses and said to him: ‘I Am the Eternal (YHVH).’” [Ex. 6:2] I often wonder how people read this opening: “God spoke to...