by RabbiOlivier | Oct 20, 2017 | Torah Reflections
Noah Genesis 6:9 – 11:32 A World Filled with Violence Our, then, 10-year-old daughter, Amalya came home one day from the Jewish day-school she attended, with an assignment: to write a short essay about the first verses of Noah, this week’s Torah portion. This is...
by RabbiOlivier | Jan 17, 2017 | General, Torah Reflections
Vayechi Genesis 47:28 – 50:26 Conditioned Happiness Last week as I studied the Torah portion, after reading numerous rabbinic commentaries, an image emerged of Jacob’s soul-to soul connection to his son, Benjamin. Upon reading this week’s portion and many more...
by RabbiOlivier | Jan 3, 2017 | General, Torah Reflections
Vayishlach Genesis 32:4 – 36:43 Honoring Our Fears In the previous Torah portion we read about Jacob’s vision of the ladder that came to him in a dream. At the end of that vision God appears to him to say: “And here I am, with you. I will guard you wherever you...
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...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 12, 2015 | Torah Reflections
Mikeitz Genesis 41:1 – 44:17 Joseph: Interpreter of Dreams, Creator of Reality Our Torah portion begins with Pharaoh’s famous dreams. The first one: seven cows coming up from the Nile fat and sturdy, followed by seven cows sickly and gaunt. The latter eat the...