Hi, Just returned from a wedding. … Get ready! We’re about to start what is probably the most well known “Bible Story.” “Joseph and His Brothers.” Full of drama.  Intrigue.  And family dynamics. But most importantly? Its full of lessons for life! … You may have seen a few of the movies. But as I […]

Hi, Sorry we missed you yesterday. A few words about the Sh’ma.  Judaism’s declaration of faith. We read it in this weeks Torah portion. … It’s the Jewish belief in monotheism.  One G-d. “Hear Israel, the Lord our G-d is One”. Of course, it taught the world about G-d. That there is only one. But […]

Hi, Jacob had left the Land of Israel for two reasons. One, his brother Esau was furious that Jacob received the blessings from Isaac. And was planning to kill him. Second, his mother Rebecca sent him to her family to find a wife. Jacob was now returning to his parent’s home in Israel.  (Genesis 32:4) […]

Hi, Please allow a personal note for the second time. The first was a tribute to my Dad on the anniversary of his passing.  His “yartzeit.” Today is a tribute to my Mom on her yartzeit. … You may remember that my Dad did not come from an observant background. And what happened? He met […]

Hi, Sorry about Friday.  I finally found a computer that is working! … Leah.  Together with Rachel, the mother of the Jewish People. Her fourth son was Judah. … “I will gratefully thank G-d.” “ And she called his name Judah.”  (Genesis, 29:35) As we have seen, Judah means to thank. And in Jewish tradition, […]

Hi, Here are some thoughts about Rachel. One of the four Matriarchs.  The spiritual mothers of the Jewish people. Together with Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah. Her story is sad. For many years she had no children. Finally, she gives birth to Joseph. (Genesis, 30:22) And then to Benjamin. But she dies in childbirth.  (35:16-20) … […]

Hi, The beginning of the Jewish People. It’s just like the rest of Jewish history. Happens in strange ways! … Jacob wants to marry Rachel. Not so fast. Her father, Laban, switches Leah for Rachel! And Jacob has to work again for Rachel. Rachel and Leah become the primary mothers of the Jewish People. What […]

Hi,   Sorry I missed you on Friday.   We were speaking about the importance shared goals in a marriage.   … And shared goals don’t just make a marriage more meaningful.   They make it more romantic!   Because the more meaningful our goals?   The deeper our lives.   And the deeper the […]

Hi, We can’t seem to avoid it. The Torah keeps coming back to weddings! Now its time for Jacob to find a wife. (Genesis, 28:1-4) … Isaac gives Jacob a charge. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women.” Or in other words, “Don’t marry out.” And Isaac sends Jacob to look in his […]

Hi, Isaac and Rebecca have twin sons.  Jacob and Esau. Isaac favors Esau but Rebecca favors Jacob.  (Genesis, 25:28) … Isaac is old, blind and close to death. His love for Esau blinds him. And he wants to give the blessings to Esau before dying. Rebecca sees the true nature of Esau and knows that […]