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 | Jun 24, 2016 | General
Behaalot’cha Numbers 8:1 – 12:16 Receiving Torah with a Kiss Arguably, the most important moment in the entire Jewish Bible, is that of the Revelation at Sinai and of matan Torah, of God gifting Torah. “Torah” means “teaching.” There, atop the trembling...
by RabbiOlivier | Nov 14, 2015 | 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 reflects who they are in...
by RabbiOlivier | Sep 17, 2015 | High Holy Days Meditations
What Does it Mean to Forgive? Why do we Resist it? Day Three Forgiving does not come easy to us. Let’s be honest, the ego is not one to easily give up the past hurts, affronts, painful incidents, and grudges it holds onto in its memory bank. All of these past...
by RabbiOlivier | Aug 21, 2015 | Torah Reflections
Re’eh Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17 Blessings — OK, Bring Them On; But Why Curses? This week’s Torah portion is close to my heart. It was the Torah portion of the week of my wedding, sixteen years ago, and is called Re’eh,...
