Shabbat Miketz: Why Bother?

“there is no light that does not come from the midst of darkness.” – Zohar, Tetzaveh, 184 This Shabbat is the third day of Hanukkah. In traditional practice, with each night of Hanukkah we add light, symbolizing thereby the sense that, each day that it continued to shine, the light was more and more astounding.Continue reading “Shabbat Miketz: Why Bother?”

Shabbat VaYishlakh: Waiting To See

Looking to the future is normal. Even though it is true that we only have the moment in which we live, we spend most of our moments either looking back and remembering, or looking forward and wondering. When we are hoping and expecting good times to come, it’s diverting and pleasant to plan for them:Continue reading “Shabbat VaYishlakh: Waiting To See”

Shabbat VaYetze: Rough Neighborhood

not every boundary, or border, is healthy אַל־תַּ֭סֵּג גְּב֣וּל עוֹלָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר עָשׂ֣וּ אֲבוֹתֶֽיךָ׃  Do not move the long-standing boundary marker which your ancestors have established – Mishle (Proverbs) 22.28 In this, the third year of the Triennial Cycle of Torah, we discover the benefits of having our attention forced away from the marquee event (Jacob’sContinue reading “Shabbat VaYetze: Rough Neighborhood”