The incense is a gift from the angel of death.  It was given to Moshe when he embraced his full humanness.  When we embrace all the wonderfully flawed aspects of being a human,  we can conquer death.  parshat korach ketoret all of me

Doing the work to get invested in something that I am not naturally committed to – this is the highest level.  The ability to make the mitzvah precious to me makes me precious to G-d.   Only this movement TOWARD Hashem creates attachment.  

The penitent metzorah receives 7 sprinkles of blood – why seven?  Someone who has been in contact with a dead body need be sprinkled only one time, but on two separate days.  What is unique about the metzorah?

Parshat b’shalach provides a series of opportunities to learn about relationship – if we are ready to.  They are all meant to show us that manna doesn’t just fall from heaven, water doesn’t just come from a rock, and seas don’t just split.

Sinai was a peak moment, a peak behind the veil.  But it was not meant to last forever.  It was meant to be one of two poles of reality.  How do we stay connected to it, and stay connected to the two poles at once?

Chanukkah and the Yosef story are always intertwined.  This year we explore how Hanukkah and the Tzaddik can help us see what is and also what could be.   Yosef helps the brothers see who they are and then see what is possible, and Hanukkah helps us look at our own lives in order to truly [...]

What makes something an ‘up’ moment or a ‘down’ moment?  Follow the theme through Parshat Vaeyshev for an interesting and enlightening conclusion.

Interestingly, Eisav is consider to be on a higher level than Ya’akov.  But his power is inaccessible because it is chaotic.  Ya’akov doesn’t want to squander the opportunity, so he prepares himself… for chaos.

Yaakov is in perfect position to out-deceive Lavan, but he backs down.  Why?

Eliezer is cursed; flawed; a servant.  But he knows it, and this become his ticket to perfection, blessing, and freedom.