Rabbi Shabbat Greetings

This week’s Torah portion, Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19) opens with a surprising command: “V’yikchu li terumah” — “You shall take gifts for Me” (25:2). Not give, but take. The Torah then clarifies: the offering must come from “kol ish…

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This week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18), begins with a series of detailed civil and ethical laws: instructions on slavery, property, torts, and justice. Though these laws may seem ordinary, they teach…

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This week’s Torah portion, Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23), presents us with one of the most pivotal moments in the Torah: the revelation at Sinai. Amidst thunder, fire, and the shofar blasts, the Israelites receive…

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This week, the portion, Beshalach (Exodus 13:17–17:16) tells the story of a people in motion. The sea splits, the Israelites walk through on dry land, and suddenly slavery is behind them. But…

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Our portion this week, Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1–13:16), brings us to the climax of the Exodus story: the final plagues, the first Passover, and the moment when a group of enslaved individuals…

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Our Torah portion this week, Vaera (Exodus 6:2–9:35), opens with God speaking to Moses at a moment of deep frustration. The Israelites are suffering more than before. Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. Freedom…

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This week, we begin the second book of the Torah, Exodus, with the portion, Shemot  (Exodus 1:1 – 6:1) which begins in a place that feels painfully familiar: a world where some…

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We now conclude the Joseph trilogy as well as the Book of Genesis with its final portion, Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26). This portion is a study in paradox. Its name means “And he lived,” yet it…

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Our Torah portion this week is the second part of the Joseph “trilogy”, Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27). It begins with a courageous act of closeness:“And Judah approached him.” (44:18) Judah steps forward not knowing how he…

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This week, as we read Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17) in the midst of Hanukkah, the Torah and the holiday speak to each other with unusual urgency. Both arrive at moments of deep darkness…

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