Moses, the stutterer, speaks at the Jordan, the river he will not cross. Standing there, he can see to where he will not reach. He tells his descendants about the long winding journey their parents took through the desert, the story of their triumphs and defeats. He stands at the Jordan feeling sorrow. He […]
Devarim: A Guest Post by Judith Sarah Schmidt Read More »
Moses stands facing death in the fullness of physical vigor and soulfulness. He knows the exact time and place of his death and faces it with his superpower to lead, to bless, to speak his awakening into the fire of words. He has completed his journey in this form, a journey to find and fully embody his voice.
V’zot HaBerachah | Between the In-breath and the Out-breath Read More »
Deuteronomy/D’varim is the beginning of the final book of the Five Books of Moses. The narrator changes from an unseen and unnamed speaker (Torah herself?) to Moses himself. Moses speaks to the entire people, the next generation whom he believes are destined to enter the Promised Land without him. He addresses the people as an “us,” and then gives a narrative of the journey from Egypt from his own subjective experience.
D’varim | Multiple Voices in the Narrative Read More »
Moses begins this week’s Torah portion (parsha) by speaking a new name for the God of Torah: Eternally Connecting /אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֗ה
Va’ethanan | Entering into Not Knowing Read More »
This stirring moment in Torah begins with Moses reminding the people that the consequences of an action are inherent in that action. He shares his realization that Eternally Present was with their ancestors and is with them if they too are present. Moses is teaching across the generations, from the first generation at Sinai, to the descendants who are ready to enter the Promised Land, to us today.
Eikev | The Promised Land; A Field of Practice Read More »
The word re’eh, meaning “to see” or “to perceive,” opens this week’s Torah moment. Re’eh is one of several words translated as “see” in Torah. In the Hassidic and Rabbinical traditions, it is the seeing that focuses us inward, toward understanding, insight, and wisdom.
Re’eh | Seeing Under the Surface Read More »
In Shoftim, “Judges,” Moses continues offering Torah’s vision and instructions for entering and inhabiting the Promised Land. How do we judge ourselves and each other? And what systems do we set up to support individual and collective integrity with the Source of the Created World, with each other and with the land?
Shoftim | Inner and Outer Judging Read More »
The Israelites receive a teaching about going out of the land of abundance before they have gone in. Torah awakens us to the knowledge that our lives, all existence, is a continual process of going in and out.
Ki Teitzei | Adorning our Enemies Read More »
When you enter (ki tavo) bring your first fruits. God of the Torah longs for the offering that comes from our undefended hearts and minds.
Ki Tavo | Will We Enter? Read More »
When are we inhabiting a Promised Land? In this week’s Torah portion, Nitzavim [standing], the Boundary Crossers, the ones who will cross over from the desert wilderness, are all of us, standing in the present moment.
Nitzavim | Standing for Love , Crossing Over for Love Read More »
