Parshah • May 2023
Behar/Bechukotai – Mt. Sinai Was No Everest
Mt. Sinai was not the tallest mountain in the Middle East – it was modest, almost a mere hill-top. This teaches us the virtue of humility and ego-abnegation. If we…
Parshah • May 2022
Bechukotai – Life’s Rewards
Why expect material rewards for spiritual activity as our Parsha seems to suggest? That appears inconsistent but only so if one dichotomises life into religious and secular. We don’t. It…
Parshah • May 2020
Behar/BeChukotai – Follow Instructions or the Warranty Lapses
The second of this week’s double Parshiot of Behar and Bechukotai is the progenitor of most exclusion clauses on products bought online or otherwise, viz. this guarantee or warranty lapses…
Parshah • May 2019
Bechukotai – Say It As It Is – and Move On
In this week’s parsha, Bechukotai, there is reference to a profound expression of guilt that became known as ‘confession’ in the Christian doctrine. The word is Vidui, which means to…
Parshah • May 2018
Behar/BeChukotai – The One Mountain to Climb
The name of our Parsha, Behar, ‘on the mountain’ does not intend to convey an image of physical grandeur and imposing height. This humble hillock was the scene of the…
Parshah • May 2017
Behar/BeChukotay
Encountering those less fortunate is a personal test. Will I hide my eyes in embarrassment? Will I criticize their life’s choices thereby camouflaging my discomfort? Or will I rise to…
Parshah • May 2016
Bechukotai – Unreasonable Favors
Previously noted there are three types of Jewish instructions: Chukkim, Eidot, Mishpatim. Eidot and Mishpatim have reasons, rationales, intentions. Chukim don’t. Same in life: we do people favors which we…
Parshah • May 2014
Bechukotai – Dust Off Your Soul
When knowing takes place the knowledge is engraved with you. Our soul embedded with Torah engraved — but the ‘filler dust’ has to be dusted off.