I have decided to start a new experiment. I will try making a specific dish for Shabbat having to do with the text of the Parshah. As of now, I have no idea how successful this project will be, but what have I got to lose, right? So, for Parshat Bo, which among other things…
Tag: family
Vayishlach וישלח
This Shabbat, again, I am bringing you two of the commentaries that I enjoy: “Jacob set up a monument over her grave; it is the monument of Rachel’s grave until today.” (Genesis 35:20) Parashat Vayishlach describes Jacob’s return home to Canaan and his encounter with his estranged brother, Esau, twenty years after their falling out. There’s…
Parshat ha Shavuah Verses Deuteronomy / דְּבָרִים
This past Shabbat we have said “Be Strong, Be Strong, Let Us Be Strengthened – חזק, חזק,להתחזק for the Book of בְּמִדְבַּר – Numbers. This week, we are starting to read the last cycle of the year – the book of Deuteronomy – דְּבָרִים. For me, this is a momentous Shabbat. My younger daughter is leaving to…
Sad Anniversaries in My Life Paving the Road for the Better.
Last year, on this day I wrote something: Pain, scream, blood, night – again and again in my family How many times, G-d? Loving eyes asking me silently “why this torture?” – again and again How many times, G-d? Sparkles of hope come and go – again and again How many times, G-d? Girls of…
The End of Kaddish Era
Today, 11th of Nissan marks the end of an era for me. Today is the last day of the kaddish for my father, Shimon ben Nachum z’l. Had it been just yesterday when I started? Or ages ago? Today I am looking back to my short runs to the huge historical shul near my work with a minyan (or…
Parshat ha Shavuah Verses – Vayechi
Over roughly 3000 years after מתן תורה – the revelation of the Torah, there has been written numerous commentaries on every parshah, every pasuk, and pretty much, every word of the Torah. So, most of the times I am asking myself, no doubt as many do, what can I say that is different from other sayings, especially knowing that such…
Parshat ha Shavuah Verses -Miketz
Sitting in the dungeon I cryFor my familyWhy did my father abandon me? Recently, I have hosted a beit Midrash in my house with the wonderful teacher I met at Pardes, Joe Wolfson. He suggested, based on a lesson from Rabbi Yoel Bin Nun that Yosef did not know about the real feelings of his father based on…
Jerusalem Exhibition
Can we have hope or certainty in East or West or anywhere but in the one land full of gates that face the open gates of heaven? —Judah ha-Levi (1075–1141), Jewish poet and philosopher This Sunday I finally made it to the Jerusalem Exhibition at the Met with the best group of people – my…
The Year 5777 is Coming!
Sunday, יום ראשון , October 2 Jews all over the world will celebrate The New Year – רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה. This year’s number is quite unique – 5777. Number 7 was always kind of magic in the Jewish world – 7 days of the week, 7 days before the brit milah, 7 branches of the Menora as it…
Feeling Young Planning Limmud FSU
Staying on the subject of happiness at different stages of your life, I am happy to share great news: once again this year I am volunteering for Limmud FSU! This is, definitely, the best way of staying young. You are surrounded by young, smart, and fun to be with people! We have just spent a…
Learning from my Daughters
When does a parent rejoice? When their children surpass their own abilities. As a mother, I know that there is nothing greater than understanding that some things you taught your children have been internalized and improved upon by them. I have two beautiful grown-up, and very much self-made daughters. Both of them saw me cooking and…
Summer String Beans
Today is three months since we lost my father. How is it that when your parents age, you realize how much more you should have done? I’ve spent two weeks in beautiful Israel doing what I love – studying Torah – thinking how is it that I’ve never come with my dad. I “sent” him…
Noshing Across the Nation 