Torah With A Twist

Tazria-Metzora - REPLENISH & CHILL This week's Torah portion is most frightening, in the sense for the ways in which we identify: the true experience is extremely familiar at this exact time in our lives.  It tells the story of leprosy, menstrual cycle, bodily "uncomforts", circumcision, and what was viewed as  uncleanliness.  Frightening because what the world is experiencing currently with Covid 19 recapitulates this exact Torah portion!!! It is the story of long ago how we saw the population, coupled with the Rabbis'/Priests  and how they dealt with the natural cycles and sicknesses, and growth there of.  It was physical and ritual impurities and the how to's to remedy and become whole, and replenishing yourself entirely.   In the world currently, we are experiencing and literally seeing people fall off due to Covid 19 !  This is absolutley alarming and very scary, as I am sure the population expe...

Shemini -Kindness Above ALL! As we all sit in our homes because of this horrible, worldwide pandemic, developing a feeling of , now what, today seems like yesterday, why is my dog staring at me, I just logged off social media, but I'll log right back on and see any updates, some funny memes, and other political verbiage, both complimentary and on the attack! Or just, and old fashioned phone call! Remember those? This D' Var Torah is NOT about politics, or social media,or even 1 phone call, but rather being nice and digging deeply with in your soul, finding your own brand of kindness and comprehending it, absorbing it that it oozes out of you, and YOU are of that Kindness, Love, Unselfish Giving of yourself!   Now is the time for some reading, introspection and deep thought, comprehension and sincere application. The Talmud teaches us that the “ Hachasidah ”, the stork was given this name due to its kindness and nature to others and insti...

Tzav - Say "Thank You, I'm glad to be here" This is the Torah Portion of the peace-offering that one will bring.  Im al- todah yakrivenu vehikriv al-zevach hatodah chalot matzot belulot bashemen urekikei matzot meshuchim bashamen vesolet murbechet chalot belulot bashamen If he brings it as thanksgiving-offering, he shall bring along with his thanksgiving-offering matzah loaves mixed with oil, matzah wafers anointed with oil and loaves of saturated fine flour mixed with oil. One of the first words that I learned in Hebrew  school, “Todah” , "Thank you".  As a young student and person, do we really understand the meaning of being Thankful, and the Hebrew word of, “Todah” ? Even As an adult do we really fully comprehend the true and loving meaning of "Todah/Thank You" ? I look back at my own life, and although I am very ‘Thankful’ for so many aspects of my life, did I really comprehend it and or have the capability to comprehe...