Torah With A Twist

 Ha Azinu - Show Them Please  About 10 years ago, I had my iPhone with me on the dinner table while (I apparently wasn’t being so smart) having dinner with my family, and my sweet daughter politely asked me, “Daddy isn’t that rude of you to have your cell phone on the table when it’s family time!?”   I always preach it, and she literally was calling me out, and I still ask that NO smart phones are at the table; it's family time!    I started to say, “Do as I say.....…….”   I STOPPED  right there, and said, “Mia, you’re so very right!”  I removed my phone from the area and focused on what I should be focusing on, my family, and boy were my dogs happy!!!   I was being a hypocrite and not leading by example, and not just hurting myself, but my children as well……NO! NO more do as I say, NOT as “I” do!   Who am “I”? Have I turned into a different generation?  It is true that one who goes astra...

     Nitzaviam - Stand up, Comprehend and practice change!   “ — ......if you and your offspring would live — by loving, heeding the commandments. For thereby you shall have life and shall long endure upon the soil that the benefited to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them." (Deuteronomy 30:15 - 30:20) How does this powerful passage have meaning in today’s ‘modern’ world and how might it apply?    Who are today's Abrahams, Isaacs, & Jacobs, or Ruths and Esthers? Who just might be OUR heroes who have had a powerful impact full of benevolence, show reverence and had a strong social and moralistic impact? Nelson Mandela, Harriet Tubman, Bill Gates, Princess Di, Harvey Milk, Abraham Lincoln, Colin Kaepernick are just some of the considerations of heroes of everyday life, past and present that I feel have changed the manner in which has we, as a community see examples of Humanitarians that are heroes that have ongoing and proactive...

  Ki Tavo – Growth & Reflection  Ki Tavo  asks us to sincerely examine or RE-examine  and take a deep and sincere look into ourselves and what we hold ‘sacred’ to oneself.    How do you make your dreams come true and to fruition, y our real dreams, real life stuff!?   How do you take your own life and apply what you’ve learned along the way, along the walk?       How can you celebrate with a deep joy and a sense of gratitude? A real map for success for  self , for friendships, for relationships! This portion opens with the word “ Va-Haya ” which means, ‘and it will be’.    In Judaism, as well as in other religions/belief systems, we think that you build your future based on your past.    There are curses mentioned in this portion, and instead of dwelling on them, we should proactively learn from and build upon to help with our successful and bountiful lives!    If you truly desire an uplif...