Thoughts
Vayechi, 5777
Parshat Vayechi Genesis 47:28-520:26 5777 1/14/2017 I read a lot about Vayechi. About the generational lines, about the blessings skipping generations, about the reversal of the hands during the blessings -- again, about the potential irony of the name “Vayechi” which...
Clippings
Clippings Eddie Arriola Alone in field stood a Rosebush Its petals vibrant crimson Leaves emerald green Bees playfully rolled in its pollen The Florist came upon the Rosebush He loved the blooms as he knew how “Trust me” As he plucked them off for display In their...
Ki Teitzei, 5776
Ki Teitzei, 5776 Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19 This is not going to be a comfortable dvar torah. There are going to be parts of it that address some worldly ugliness which keeps rearing it’s head. There are adult themes in it which I will endeavour to handle as delicately...
Monique Alvarez – a rant, a warning, and an open letter
3/2/2020 I'm adding a few elaborations on this. Monique Alvarez is now going by the name Adriana Monique Alvarez. She has expanded to running women entrepreneur groups, has written a few books, and, at the time of this writing, is heavily advertising on "how to expand...
D’var: VaYishlach 5776
VaYishlach is Genesis 32:4-36:43 Many of the more important parshot of our Torah have a genealogy in them. Whether the portion is outwardly important, such as Shemot with the 10 plagues having Moses’ genealogy in the middle of it, Bereshit with the lineage of the very...
D’var: Shoftim 5775
Today’s parashah is crucial. It is the foundation of modern civilization, both in the US and in almost any government elected by and from its citizens. It also teaches that humility is not a weakness, and forcefulness is not strength. A few highlights from Shoftim is...