Torah With A Twist

Vayikra - The Road Map Does Deviate! 4:2   Speak to the people of Israel, saying; if a person unwittingly transgresses any commandment, which should not be done, and commits one of these sins in a careless behavior, then........ The Readers Digest Version and Overview: Moses is commanded to give VERY specific and particular instructions of sacrifices, gifts to the Temple, and the how to's to properly present AND not transgress & deviate from the directions. It's like Ikea directions!  We have absolutley grown and matured into a society that does challenge, that asks difficult and vital questions that are important to us, ourselves, to our families, and to our surrounding communities! Does this mean the message from Mose's lips were wrong? Incorrect? Ill-fated?  Seems maybe so.  Absolutely Not!   It is extremely important in any and all civil communities to have some  instilled and outlined directions and laws, coupled wi...

Vayakheil - Pekudei  In this week's Torah Portion, we read that Moses is giving specific instructions to finish the Tabernacle/Temple, it's adornments, and how to celebrate and observe Shabbat, the Sabbath.  We all have read and or have followed instructions before, whether it's printed/online, or basically dictated to us, as Moses gave to the people.   The people listened, and in fact, reacted extremely well this time around and did not deviate from plan.  We, as an entire world are experiencing something so extreme right now, The Coronavirus,Covid-19 pandemic.  Uncertainty, worry, restrictions, enforceable rules & regulations for our safety have been instructed for the foreseeable future!  Is it an inconvenience to some?  Of course!  It's for our safety and honestly, to save our lives and that of survival!    This goes way beyond ANY leader, president, prime minister; this is a worldwide issue an...

Ki Tisa - Learn, Process,and Grow- LOVE!! In this week’s Torah Portion/Parsha, we read about extreme upheaval, and   disturbing behaviors and punishment for NOT following the directions laid ahead, but we also read that Moses stepped up and pleaded with such sincerity, love and thoughtfulness, and shares that benign attitude and talks to the people with humanity! Does history have a way of repeating itself?   He made a choice. He chose to not create even more disturbing behavior, but made the decision to try to create a positive environment and build up, and with the masses through this "hiccup". Does this mean, we as people can practice disturbing behavior, commit a crime, tell a blatant lie, hurt another life, etc. , and then immediately think   forgiveness is granted by our friends and family, and anyone we might have hurt along the way or just have good thoughts & “word” and all is gone, all is fine and move on?    Obviou...

Tetzaveh  - Be The Light! 27:21    Aaron and his sons shall set them up in the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain which is over (the ark of) the Pact, (to burn) from evening to morning.  It shall be due from the Israelites for ALL time, throughout the ages.  Aaron, his sons, and the Kohanim were obligated to tend to the lights of the seven-branched Menorah every morning and evening;  THE LIGHT !  They were to light the wicks in the following order: working from the last light on the right side toward the center, and then working the last light on the left side toward the center.  Here’s a little history and side track:  Italian Rabbi and scholar, Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno (1474ce to 1550ce), had this interpretation; ‘………No matter what direction, the central point means  UNITY , no matter their position, be it right, or be it left, must convene and rally.’  ……  " A UNITED FRONT or that of unis...