Ritual of the red heifer (Numbers 19:1-22). A biblical response to grief. But what does it mean? Many of us…
Category: Torah
Ritual and Meditation: Fun with Parshat Tzav
Ritual. Last week’s Torah (Parshat Tzav) and haftorah (Jeremiah) readings were all over it. Ritual in Parshat Tzav (Lev. 6:1-8:36)…
Reconciliation and Re-Creation: Parshat Pekudei
Human beings can re-create the world, says the Torah in Parshat Pekudei. This is heartening news for Canadians. Only a…
Terumah: Did God Create Humans or Did Humans Create God?
“Did God create humans or did humans create God?” That, said my study group, is a question posed by Parshat…
Jeremiah's Mother God Says: I Knew You in the Womb
Jeremiah, the Biblical prophet, describes the day God called him. At first glance, the call seems ordinary. A kind of…
Ego Insatiable: Who can teach you that you are enough?
Jealousy. Greed. Ego. So pervasive. Sometimes I feel like a failure as a spiritual teacher. “Be happy for your friends’…
Matriarch of a Certain Lineage: Rebecca
Rebecca. Matriarch of the Jewish people. That’s right. Matriarch, not patriarch. Her story shows that Torah is not a patriarchal…
Sodom is Evil: Why Didn't I See it Coming?
Sodom. A biblical city. The name evokes evil. Rape. Corruption. Hatred of immigrants. Of course, you know that now. This week.…
23rd Psalm: A Network of Shepherds
The 23rd Psalm tells us to take care of each other. Sure, the psalm’s plain meaning is that God will…