by Rabbi Margie Cella Parashat Vaera continues the story we know so well from its annual Pesach seder retelling. The battle of wills between God and Pharaoh begins: Moses tells Pharaoh...
by Rabbi Margie Cella This week we begin the second book of the Torah, which tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt. Parashat Shemot describes the origins of our slavery at the hands of a cruel and despotic...
by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields This week’s Torah reading, Parashat Vayechi, completes the book of Genesis, Sefer Bereshit. Jacob blesses his sons, as well as his grandsons Ephraim and Menasseh, Joseph’s...
by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields This week’s Torah reading, Parashat Vayigash, tells the story of Joseph reconciling with his brothers. It is very common to have people in our lives who we need...
by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields Parashat Miketz tells the story of Joseph meeting his brothers once again. He asks about their father’s health (Genesis 43:27). The note in the Etz Hayim Torah...
by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields Parashat Vayeshev is full of dreams. It begins with Joseph’s dreams and ends with the dreams of the chief baker and chief cupbearer. Dreams are not only what we have...
by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields In his week’s Torah reading, Parashat Vayishlach, Jacob receives his new name, Israel, after wrestling with an angel or person, depending on interpretation. The explanation...
by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields Parashat Vayetzei has the wonderful moment of Jacob waking up from his dream, and realizing that God was in the place where he slept. My wish for all of us is that we create...
by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields Parashat Toldot sees the birth of the twins Jacob and Esau. From conception they fought; in the womb they made their presence known. God warned Rebecca that inside her...
by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields Ironically the name of this week’s Torah reading, Chayyei Sarah, means the life of Sarah, yet it does not discuss Sarah’s life, but rather her death and the plans for her...
