The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Robert Burns writes eloquently in his poem “To a Mouse” that “The best laid schemes of mice and men go often askew, and leave us nothing but grief and pain, for promised joy!” To an extent this poem is an analog to the Torah portion Vayeishev, which […]
Vayishlach – On Sweetness Created by Deborah
In an era where bad things seem to happen frequently sometimes it’s good to focus on the gems of peace and truth around us. I’m talking about this week’s Torah portion, Vayishlach. When I first read it I was taken aback by the brutality of the rape of Dina, daughter of Jacob, by Shechem, the […]
Teaching About Shabbat Through Sketchnotes
Shabbat is a day of rest. What does that mean? The answer depends upon your personal perspective. How to get that point across to 7th and 8th grade students and to get them to personalize their Shabbat experience? Why sketchnoting, of course! Common Ground The big three Western religions – Judaism, Islam, and Christianity – […]
Vayeitzei – The Simple Art of Thanksgiving
This week’s Torah portion, Vayeitzei, contains the wonderful visuals of the story of Jacob’s ladder. Jacob dreams of angels going up and down a ladder. G-d blesses him. Jacob names the place “Beth El” (House of G-d). In his dvar Torah “The Simple Art of Thanksgiving” Rabbi Jonathan E. Blake of Westchester Reform Temple in […]
The Voice of Jacob and the Hands of Esau
The brothers Jacob and Esau have a strong presence in this week’s Torah portion Tol’dot. Jacob and his mother, Rebekah, deceive the blind and near-death Isaac. Rebekah has Jacob wear goat skins and Esau’s clothing so that Isaac would think him to be Esau. This deceit would end with Isaac bestowing upon Jacob the blessing […]