BS”D Dudes, I know that parshas Matos-Massei is so yesterday, but I got somethin’ to say about it, so ya’ll are gonna listen. ‘Kay? This past week’s Torah portion recounts the forty-two pit-stops taken by the Israelites on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The narrative flow from the previous parsha literally stops so the Torah can tell … Continue reading
BS”D I’d like to start this post by wishing you a light-filled Hanukkah and by asking G-d, “What in the hell is going on?” In the past week, I’ve had to say “Baruch Dayan haEmes” (Blessed is the True Judge – said upon hearing that someone has passed away, or other especially bad news, G-d … Continue reading
BS”D Did you know that ancient Egypt was the original Vegas? Sex everywhere, shady business deals, corrupt politicians, magic (of the black variety), decadent food, high fashion, and I’m pretty sure Celine Dion had a show there. Not exactly an oasis of G-dliness. Ye Olde Sin City is the backdrop of this week’s Torah portion, … Continue reading
BS”D Hello again, Light & Coffee-ers! Since this week we hit the 30-day mark from Dovi’s arrival in Olam HaZeh, I’m wo-manning up and putting myself back on a schedule – which, lucky for you, includes ending my blogging maternity leave. (And by “lucky for you” I mean “lucky for me”). I’ve actually been meaning … Continue reading
BS”D The first time I encountered the majestic and soul-stirring cry of the shofar (the ram’s horn sounded on Rosh Hashana), I hadn’t yet discovered G-d or Judaism. In fact, I was quite preoccupied with food. It was a few weeks into my freshman year at Ithaca College. I had just settled down for lunch in … Continue reading
BS”D In the last Elul InspiroChunk, we talked about the special receptivity to our prayers and to our efforts to grow that exists during the month of Elul. All of our movements toward G-d here below are mirrored Above much more clearly than during the rest of the year, and are met with an element … Continue reading
BS”D It’s the mooooost wonderful tiiiiiime of the yeeeeeear… Excuse the “lehavdil”-inspiring reference, but seriously, it is. It’s the Hebrew month of Elul. The most incredible things are happening Behind the Scenes right now. And it’s time, as the kids say, to get on ya’ game. Even though the level of knowledge I possess about … Continue reading
BS”D The other day, I overheard one of my colleagues tell a student who had done something stupid, “Life doesn’t have an ‘Undo’ button. Your mistakes are your mistakes, and you just have to live with them.” When I first heard her say this, I was all like, “Yeah, man! Righteous! Lay some wisdom on that … Continue reading
BS”D In this past week’s Torah portion, we read about Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, offering up a “strange fire” (cue: Indigo Girls) on the altar of the Mishkan – known in English as the Tabernacle, the portable Temple in the desert – and their resultant death. We’re told that this unsanctioned offering was brought … Continue reading
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