Preparing to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, the Israelites know that they must provide not only for their physical requirements in the desert, but for their spiritual needs as well.  This week's Torah portion continues the discussion of the building of the Mishkan (the Tabernacle), the portable site of worship that our ancestors carried with them throughout their wanderings. Read more...

In a world so frenzied that we rarely have time to pause, to contemplate, to connect, it is too easy to pass our lives without savoring the preciousness of our time on Earth. Distracted by our tasks, burdened by a sometimes selfish and uncaring world, we struggle to maintain our own balance, to preserve mindfulness amidst the distractions, to cultivate gratitude with grace.   Today’s Torah portion offers us a tool to sustain that radiance in the commonplace.   Read more...

Parashat Tetzaveh uncovers a lengthy description of the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) and the sacred garments of the Kohanim (the Priests) who will minister there.  At the end of that description, the Torah explains that  the purpose of the Mishkan is, from God's perspective, that "there I will meet with the Israelites, and it shall be sanctified  by My Presence." So far, there is nothing remarkable about this passage.  Many generations of commentators have noted, in the words of the Talmud, that the purpose of the mitzvot found in the Torah is to refine humanity.  Conse Read more...

I know that I am supposed to address this week's torah portion, T'rumah, and I know that this week's torah portion is the home of generations of mystics (mishkan/tabernacle - sacred space; materials from the different realms of life - mineral, plant, animal; colors that can be aligned with the divine emanations/sefirot, to mention but a few of the dwelling spaces of these mystics) but I also know that I can't do this without holding on to last week's reading for one more moment. Read more...