Tidbits of Torah

Tidbits of Torah

Posted on February 23, 2018

Shabbat Parashat Tetsaveh Shabbat Zachor Purim Is Just Around the Corner! February 24, 2018 – 9 Adar 5778 Dear Friends, I hope you will join us this Friday evening and on Shabbat morning as we celebrate the bat mitzvah of Lainey Epstein. Mazal Tov to Lainey and to her entire family! This Shabbat we read Continue Reading »

Tidbits of Torah

Posted on February 16, 2018

Shabbat Parashat Terumah Tragedy, Trauma and Terumah February 17, 2018 – 2 Adar 5778 Dear Friends, Traditionally, we are supposed to usher in the Jewish month of Adar with added joy.  As the saying goes: Mishenichnas Adar Marbim b’Simcha – When Adar begins, we increase our joy! And, yet, in the wake of the tragic news Continue Reading »

Tidbits of Torah

Posted on February 9, 2018

Shabbat Parashat Mishpatim Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh Imagine… February 10, 2018 – 25 Shevat 5778 Dear Friends, Imagine a world filled with well intentioned people but with no laws. Imagine, for instance, a world full of good people but with no traffic rules – with no agreed upon right of way, with no yield signs….Hmm. What Continue Reading »

Tidbits of Torah

Posted on February 2, 2018

Shabbat Parashat Yitro Finding Wisdom February 3, 2018 – 18 Shevat 5778 Dear Friends, Torah is our source of wisdom. Our Sages are a source of wisdom. But, where else might we look for wisdom? Torah gives us a hint…. There are three non-Jews who have an entire Torah portion named after them. They are: Continue Reading »

Tidbits of Torah

Posted on January 26, 2018

Shabbat Parashat B’Shallach Shabbat Shirah Insight, Inspiration, Imagination! January 27, 2018 – 11 Shevat 5778 Dear Friends, This Shabbat is called “Shabbat Shirah” [Sabbath of Song] because we read Moses and Miriam’s Song of the Sea as part of our weekly Torah portion. Insight, inspiration and imagination are at the heart of the Song of Continue Reading »

Tidbits of Torah

Posted on January 19, 2018

  Shabbat Parashat Bo What’s Your Story…? January 20, 2018 – 4 Shevat 5778 Dear Friends, I am struck by the multi-layered foci of our Jewish story telling…. In our weekly Torah portion, Bo, we read (no less than three times) about the importance of telling and re-telling the story of the Exodus to our children, Continue Reading »

Tidbits of Torah

Posted on January 12, 2018

Shabbat Parashat VaEra Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh If At First You Don’t Succeed… January 13, 2018 – 26 Tevet 5778 Dear Friends, It is so easy to give up…. We try. We struggle. We succeed. All is well. And, then, suddenly…we fail! And, it is so easy to give up. It is so easy to abandon Continue Reading »

Tidbits of Torah

Posted on January 8, 2018

Shabbat Parashat Shemot Stay Warm! January 6, 2018 – 19 Tevet 5778 Dear Friends, It’s cold outside! I hope you are indoors and managing to stay warm! And, if you are outdoors, I hope it is only temporary. I hope that you are enjoying the unexpected gift of a snow day and/or the delights of Continue Reading »

Tidbits of Torah

Posted on December 22, 2017

Shabbat Parashat VaYigash Joseph, Judah and Justice December 23, 2017- 5 Tevet 5778 Dear Friends, Our Torah reading continues the Joseph story. Only, Joseph is not the only character in the story. Judah plays a leading role in this week’s Torah portion. Judah, not yet knowing that Joseph is his long lost brother, approaches Joseph Continue Reading »

Tidbits of Torah

Posted on December 15, 2017

Happy Chanukah!           Shabbat Parashat Mikkets Chanukah – Day 4!  Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh  December 16, 2017- 28 Kislev 5778    Dear Friends,   Chanukah is about miracles, big and small, communal and personal.  It is about noticing God’s presence in the world – not only as Creator in the distant past, but Continue Reading »