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.”...
by RabbiOlivier | Jan 15, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Bo Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 From Pharaoh’s Slaves to God’s Slaves There is one peculiar word in Hebrew that is used interchangeably in this week’s Torah portion. While the Torah portion itself tells of the last plagues wrought upon Egypt by God and, in...
by RabbiOlivier | Jan 9, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Va’eira Exodus 6:2 – 9:35 Know Thyself to be Enslaved Every year, as I meet the text narrating the plagues of Egypt, I am confronted with the same paradox. God commends Moses to ask Pharaoh to free the Hebrews. Pharaoh refuses. God brings down a plague....
by RabbiOlivier | Jan 1, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Shemot Exodus 1:1 – 6:1 You Can Take Moses Out of Egypt, But… This week marks the beginning of the Exodus story with Moses as its central character. At its core, this story is one of liberation. And beneath its literal level, it is about the inner...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 19, 2015 | Torah Reflections
Vayigash Genesis 44:18 – 47:27 Four Jewish Noble Truths This week’s Torah portion marks the critical moment when Jacob and his clan descend into Egypt, setting up the stage for what will unfold next: enslavement, suffering, redemption and revelation. Jacob’s...