So many things happening, so many thoughts in my head, so many feelings in my heart, and so little ability in me to express it all. Pesach is coming, and the Israeli elections seem to be fitting into a timing that is supposed to be of reflection, self-cleansing and preparing for a better, free future….
Tag: verse
Verses of Hope?
Strangely enough, I seem to be able to write a verse or two when I am sad, depressed, mad at the world and at myself. These days I am happy and hopeful and scared to jinx it with as much as a light breeze blowing the wrong way. Maybe it’s because I am so not…
Hebrew in My Heart
Lately, I have been listening to a lot of Israeli songs. I always loved Hebrew, and now I feel that I am feeling it closer to my heart than ever. I have got acquainted with some really beautiful songs both music and lyrics-wise. They are not new, they might remind you of your youth or…
Just Because
Today, when we are about to read Parshat Toldot talking among other things about a family, all I can think of is the prospect of it – a fleeting tiny breath of fresh air. These days my heart races from heaven to hell and back twenty times a day. Being used to misery in my…
Of Life and Death
Any Holiday Shabbat is hard for me. Shabbat during Yamim Noraim is harder. This is the time when I think of my life many years ago, the mistakes I made, the wrong decisions, and finally, my assumptions that these somehow paved the way to the death of the person I loved the most. By now,…
Random Stuff from My Heart
I was ready. SO ready for spring. I saw some buds coming out and hoped for the best. Hoped that this long winter was over. My hopes in vain, I am looking outside dreading the picture I see. Is it because I am such a warm weather person, or am I just missing you as…
The Cycle Continues – Noah / נח
As promised, I am posting the D’var Torah from another teacher, this time Dena Weiss from Mechon Hadar. I hope you enjoy her take on Noah. For me, the eternal question – was Noah a true tzaddik or just better than everyone in that generation, is answered with a strong – true tzaddik! How many times can we stand to…
Roller-Coaster During Yamim Noraim / ימים נוראים
These Days of Awe – ימים נוראים have been very challenging for me so far. Is the Universe trying to tell me something that I refuse to hear? Right after Rosh haShana my body started to give in somehow. Yesterday, I decided to defy the pain and walk to a Community Beit Midrash Kick off at Mechon…
Random Verses Inspired by Pain
We are within The Days of Awe, The Days of Repentance, the days we are supposed to look inside and resolve to be better, to forgive others. To forgive ourselves. It is so easy to forgive others. Everyone has a story, a reason, a pain they cannot deal with, and therefore, are hurting those who…
Parshat ha Shavuah Verses – Ki Tavo /כִּי-תָבוֹא
We are commanded to bring the first fruits of our labor “unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there” and speak to our Gd: י וְעַתָּה, הִנֵּה הֵבֵאתִי אֶת-רֵאשִׁית פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה, אֲשֶׁר-נָתַתָּה לִּי, יְהוָה; וְהִנַּחְתּוֹ, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתָ, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ. 10 And now, behold, I have…
Parshat ha Shavuah Verses Shoftim / שֹׁפְטִים
People think about different things when their minds drift away from the task at hand. Being super busy now at work, I somehow still always manage to find my way to Israel in my mind. And today I am missing it so much it hurts. Maybe one of the reasons is that here, in the…
Just One Verse in the Dread of New York Summer
Over Shabbat I was trying to walk. All I could master was a few blocks to Ocean Parkway, where I found no relief and the same few blocks back home. All I could think of was my walk to the Grand Synagogue of Jerusalem two summers ago. The heat was much worse. The air was…
Noshing Across the Nation 