Bo Text message

Parashat Bo (Come to Pharaoh)

We read a very strange verse in this section (Exodus 12:22):  “You shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and touch some of the blood to the lintel [above the doorway] and to the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.”

Gd is going to send the 10^th plague over the Egyptians. The firstborn were in danger, therefore, the B’nai Israel had to mark their homes. Gd was going to pass over the homes of the Israelites, and the Jewish firstborn were to be safe.

So… why can’t anybody go outside? Why couldn’t the rest of the children  play hide and seek outside?

The Torah is teaching us that when one member of the family is in danger, we need to be together, in unity, even though the rest are safe.

Staying together is a good way to pass over the crisis.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Vaera Text message

Parashat Vaera (G-d had revealed himself)

Several times we hear that Gd commands Moses to speak to Pharaoh and convince him to free the people of Israel “Let my people go.”

We usually remember that part of the story, and Moses’ refusal, but there is a verb used in Gd’s commandment that we sometimes forget.

Hashem says to Moses (several times) “Bo el Pharaoh v’amarta”  Go to Pharaoh, approach Pharaoh and then speak.

This teaches us that when we want to establish a dialogue we need to remember that first we need to approach each other.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Shemot Text message

Parashat Shemot (The names)

This parasha opens the book of Exodus, the second book of the Torah.

Moses’ journey in the desert started with curiosity…

So Moses said, “I must turn away [from the flock] and see this great sight—why the bush is not burned up.” 

Why? Moses wanted to explore, to see why, to investigate, to discover.

A people that doesn’t ask questions, a people that stops asking questions is a people without future.

When we hear voices that tell us “just do it,” let’s do it, but also let’s ask why.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Vayechi Text message

Parashat Vayechi (and he, Jacob, lived)

One of the words that scares the Jewish people the most is ASSIMILATION.

We  frequently hear about the rates, the danger and  who is responsible…

Let me share with you something you may have forgotten… After Jacob’s death, Chapter 50 of Genesis dedicates 12 verses to the Egyptian burial customs: the mummification that Jacob had and the rites, honors and mourning that followed the Egyptian rituals.

Only 4 verses are dedicated to the “Jewish” burial customs.

Maybe the secret resides in ASSIMILATING the good values, customs, and principles that others have to offer which will enrich our tradition. Being scared of the differences will make us fall, but learning from them will make us a better and stronger people.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Vayigash Text message

Parashat Vayigash (He approached)

The story of Joseph and his brothers continues.
When they discover that the viceroy of Egypt, the person in front of them, the person who had their lives in his hands, was Joseph, we read the following:
Genesis 45:3 “Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless, for they were stunned and dismayed by [the fact that they were in] Joseph’s presence.”
Here the brothers are speechless because they fear Joseph. The fear was the cause.
This is not the first time the brothers couldn’t speak with Joseph. We read earlier that when Joseph was a young boy, his brothers hated him and would not talk to him. The hate was the cause.
No matter what moves us, it is time to overcome our feelings and start talking to our brothers and sisters.


In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Text message

Parashat Vayeshev (and he sat down)

One of the most tragic images of the whole Bible is described in this section.

Genesis 37:23-25 “And it came to pass, when Joseph had come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him; and they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.  And they sat down to eat bread…”

There is no need to add any other words or interpretations.

Every time we sit down to eat, we need to remember there are brothers and sisters down in the pit, suffering, screaming and asking for help.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Text message Vayeshev

Parashat Vayeshev (and he sat down)

One of the most tragic images of the whole Bible is described in this section.

Genesis 37:23-25 “And it came to pass, when Joseph had come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him; and they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.  And they sat down to eat bread…”

There is no need to add any other words or interpretations.

Every time we sit down to eat, we need to remember there are brothers and sisters down in the pit, suffering, screaming and asking for help.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L