Messages from January 2017

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Va’eira (Exodus 6:2-9:35) Crucial Confrontations

January 27, 2017
Exodous
Vaera

We all know the story; Pharaoh did not listen, plagues came to Egypt. Hail, the last plague mentioned in this week’s Parsha, was going to be a hailstorm of unprecedented magnitude. Although the hail was extremely destructive, some of the animals survived. Which ones? The animals whose owners had followed Moses’ instructions to bring them […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Shemot (Exodous 1:1-6:1)

January 20, 2017
Exodous
Shemot

Trust or Narcissism? After being told by G-d to return to Egypt and command Pharaoh to release the Jews, Moses says: ‘Please G-d, I am not a man of words, also not since the day before yesterday, nor since You first spoke to Your servant; for I am heavy of mouth and heavy of speech.’ […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26) A Child’s Choice; A Parent’s Voice

January 13, 2017
Genesis
Vayechi

This week’s Torah reading is the conclusion of the book of Genesis. Jacob’s family has been reunited and before he dies, he blesses his children and grandchildren. Among those blessings is one that became a permanent fixture in Jewish life from that time forward. Jacob tells Joseph (Genesis 48:20) that in the future parents will […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayigash (Genesis 44:18 – 47:27) Listening

January 6, 2017
Genesis
Vayigash

This week’s Parsha is the climax of the drama of Joseph and his brothers. His brothers still think the man before them is the Egyptian Viceroy and Yehuda(Judah), their leader, argues that the youngest brother, Benjamin, should not be taken as a slave. And Yehuda (Yehuda) approached (Joseph) and he said, ‘Please my master, allow […]