Torah Reflections™ are short commentaries and reflection prompts, based on the Hebrew scriptural reading cycle and themes from the Jewish holidays. These wide-ranging pieces are written by people immersed in the worlds of illness and healing. Torah Reflections™ are available below. You may also subscribe to receive bi-weekly e-mails (free to individual readers).
Reflections for the Book of Genesis
- Bereishit: October 26, 2019
In Relationship with Each Other - Noah: November 2, 2019
When Illness Refocuses our Relationships - Leh Leha: November 9, 2019
Go Forth
Where to Look
Hear Her Voice - Vayeira: November 16, 2019
Vayeira – Weiss - Hayyei Sarah: November 23, 2019
Hayyei Sarah – Marder - Toldot: November 30, 2019
Answers to our Prayers
A Journey to Wholeness - Vayetze: December 7, 2019
Jacob’s Journey
Grief, Family Strife - Vayeshev: December 21, 2019
Journeying to Sheol, And Returning Again to Life - Vayigash: January 4, 2020
Reconnection – Vayigash - Vayehi: January 11, 2020
Reconciliation and Healing
Reflections for the
Book of Exodus
- Shemot: January 18, 2020
Finding Courage and Strength
When Feeling Trapped - Bo: January 25, 2020
Rhythms and Religious Rituals - Beshallach: February 8, 2020
Reflections on Beshallach - Yitro: February 15, 2020
Reflections on Yitro - Mishpatim: February 22, 2020
Reflections on Mishpatim - Terumah: February 29, 2020
Reflections on Terumah - Ki Tisa: February 23, 2019
Reflections on Ki Tisa - Pekudei: March 14, 2020
It’s in the Details
Under the Clouds
Reflections for the
Book of Leviticus
- Vayikra: March 16, 2019
Reflections on Vayikra - Tsav: March 23, 2019
Suffering and Elevation - Shemini: March 30, 2019
Reflections on Shemini - Kedoshim: May 4, 2019 (May 11 on the Diaspora calendar)
Reflections on Aharei Mot-Kedoshim - Behar: May 18, 2019 (May 25 on the Diaspora calendar)
Reflections on Behar
Reflections for the
Book of Numbers
- Bamidbar: June 1, 2019 (June 8 on the Diaspora calendar)
Oasis in the Wilderness
Unmarked Territory - Naso: June 8, 2019 (June 15 on the Diaspora calendar)
Naso-To Be Out of the Camp - Beha’alotcha: June 15, 2019 (June 22 on the Diaspora calendar)
Behaaloteha-When Illness Refocuses our Relationship - Shelach: June 22, 2019 (June 29 on the Diaspora calendar)
Shelah-Mirror Mirror
Attachment and Resentment - Korah: June 29, 2019 (July 6 on the Diaspora calendar)
Destruction and Rebirth
Dark Narratives - Hukkat: July 6, 2019 (July 13 on the Diaspora calendar)
Grief and Ritual that Transcend our Understanding - Balak: July 13, 2019 (July 20 on the Diaspora calendar)
Our Unique Paths Through Illness - Pinchas: July 20, 2019 (July 27 on the Diaspora calendar)
Shofar Calls and Spiritual Stirrings - Mattot: July 27, 2019 (August 3, combined with Masei, on the Diaspora calendar)
Let’s Make a Deal
Use Your Words - Masei: August 3, 2019 (combined with Mattot, on the Diaspora calendar)
Leaving Egypt
Reflections for the
Book of Deuteronomy
- Devarim: August 10, 2019
Embracing What Is Broken
The Gift of Our Story
From Exile to Trust - Va’etchanan: August 17, 2019
Sh’ma as Meditation - Ekev: August 24, 2019
Rending and Repairing - Re’eh: August 31, 2019
From Curse to Blessing - Shoftim: September 7, 2019
Nurturing Amidst the Battle - Ki Tetze: September 14, 2019
Balancing Remembering with Forgetting
Hanging On by a Thread - Ki Tavo: September 21, 2019
Miracles Reconsidered - Nitzavim: September 28, 2019
Blessing Choice and Awareness
Calendar of Holidays and special Torah readings
- Selihot: September 21, 2019
Selihot and Forgiveness - Rosh Hashanah: September 29-October 1, 2019
Spiritual Flutterings
High Holy Day Paradoxes
Rosh Hashanah - Shabbat Shuva: October 4-5, 2019
Reach Out Our Hands - Yom Kippur: October 8-9, 2019
Reflections on Yom Kippur
High Holy Days - Sukkot: October 13-October 22, 2019
Torah Reflections on Sukkot
Torah Reflections on Shemini Atzeret
Simhat Torah – Life’s Multiplicities - Chanukah: December 22-30, 2019
Chanukah Late Celebration - Purim: March 20-21, 2019
Reflections on Purim - Passover: April 19-27, 2019 (First Seder is April 19th)
Torah Reflections on the Hebrew Month of Nisan
Passover Torah Reflection by Rabbi Kukla
Passover Torah Reflection by Rabbi Fenner - Counting of the Omer (from Passover to Shavuot)
Omer Page 1
Omer Page 2
Omer Cover
Omer-Insert-2019 - Shavout: June 8-10, 2019
Ambiguity as an Opening
Shavuot Sinai Summons
Shavuot – Understanding Suffering - Tisha b’Av: August 10-11, 2019
Tisha b’Av – Finding Hope Among the Ruins
Tisha b’Av – Destruction, Loss and Lamentation
Ways to Get in Touch
Torah Reflections are written for, and made available to, everyone. Let us know what’s useful about these resources, or share your feedback and suggestions. We’d love to hear from you.
- If you serve in a setting where you would like to make Torah Reflections™ available to a larger audience via a web link, e-mail list, or print distribution, please contact us about tailored or collaborative distribution
- Click here for other resources addressing illness and grief at holiday times
- Click here for other useful resources and organizations related to Jewish spirituality, health and healing
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