by RabbiOlivier | May 20, 2016 | General
Emor Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 What we Celebrate Defines Who we Are In our weekly Torah reading we find the list of holidays to be celebrated by the Israelites on a yearly basis. This annual cycle of celebrations sets a beautiful frame for a life punctuated...
by RabbiOlivier | May 6, 2016 | General
Acharei Mot Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30 Drawing Closer to God There is an interesting passage in this week’s Torah portion that caught my eye this time around. God, through Moses, asks the Israelites to only bring sacrifices at the entrance of the Tent of...
by RabbiOlivier | Apr 16, 2016 | General
Metzora Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33 The Liberating Power of Generosity This week marks the beginning of our Passover preparation. This spring cleaning is both an outer process of emptying our homes of the forbidden chametz (product made of leavened wheat, barley,...
by RabbiOlivier | Apr 9, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Tazria Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59 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 three words, Rashi (11th...
by katie@betalef.org | Apr 1, 2016 | Torah Reflections
Sh’mini Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 Joy And The Possibility of Forgiveness The inaugural ceremony of the Tabernacle’s dedication and the ordination of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood which began with last week’s Torah portion, concludes this week. “BaYom...
