by RabbiOlivier | Oct 17, 2015 | Torah Reflections
Noah Genesis 6:9 – 11:32 Noah: A Righteous Man in His Generation? There is a thought-provoking Midrash about Noah from this week’s Torah portion that details a debate between two rabbis as to why the biblical author begins with introducing Noah as “a righteous...
by RabbiOlivier | Jan 2, 2015 | Torah Reflections
Vayechi Genesis 47:28 – 50:26 Awakening to a Deeper Trust Trust is a central tenet in our tradition. Judaism is not a creedal religion, by which I mean that no acceptance of a specific theological system, no adoption of dogma, is...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 21, 2014 | Torah Reflections
Miketz Genesis 41:1 – 44:17 The Next Messiah The holiday of Chanukah 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 that is life. Chanukah means...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 5, 2014 | Torah Reflections
Vayishlach Genesis 32:4 – 36:43 Awakening Beyond Silence One of the first revelations that meditation allows is one’s encounter with the unbelievable noise which lies within us, right behind our closed eyes. As if by magic, as soon as our eyes are closed...
by RabbiOlivier | Nov 21, 2014 | Torah Reflections
Tol’dot Genesis 25:19 – 28:9 Inward Bound There is a popular ice-breaker I often use to start a workshop or a meeting. I ask the people present, as they introduce themselves to the group, to add before their name an adjective that...
