Tag Archives: Kehillah

Shabbat Lekh L’kha: Avraham did nothing (alone)

עֲשָׂרָה שֶׁיּוֹשְׁבִין וְעוֹסְקִין בַּתּוֹרָה, שְׁכִינָה שְׁרוּיָה בֵינֵיהֶם Ten who are sitting together and engaging in Torah, the Divine Presence rests among them (Pirke Avot 3.6) In our parashat hashavua, the weekly reading of the Torah, we begin the story of Abraham (originally Avram) who is seen as the ancestor of the Jewish people. As ourContinue reading “Shabbat Lekh L’kha: Avraham did nothing (alone)”

Rosh HaShanah 5783: Identity and Kehillah

I. Individuality: just another word for nothing left to lose I’ve never done the Hineni prayer which is only for those who lead the prayers during the Days of Awe; it always seemed arrogant to hold myself apart from our community in that way. We all stand before Truth and Eternity equally.  Yet it’s alsoContinue reading “Rosh HaShanah 5783: Identity and Kehillah”

Shabbat VaYakhel: Kehillah

The name of this week’s parashah is VaYakhel, from the word kahal, or kehillah – “gathering”. The people are gathering for the purpose of building the Mishkan, the sacred space that will be dedicated to their longing to feel G-d’s presence. They are gathered together not as the am, the people, and not as theContinue reading “Shabbat VaYakhel: Kehillah”