Real Torah for the Real World » Parsha

Parshat Bshalach – teaching us about da’at and relationship

gavriel — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:45:41 +0000

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.

Parshat Yitro – bridging this world and the next

gavriel — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:29:42 +0000

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?

Parshat Miketz Chanukkah – seeing and Seeing

gavriel — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:37:04 +0000

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 see what is there – and then see what is possible.

sometimes up is down – Yosef, Hanukkah and more

gavriel — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:59:03 +0000

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

Kelim and Chaos – Ya’akov’s encounter with Eisav

gavriel — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:54:00 +0000

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.

Parshat Vayetze – the scoundrel

gavriel — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:57:09 +0000

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

Parshat Chaye Sarah – Eliezer has an attitude problem – and he knows it

gavriel — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:37:36 +0000

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

Parshat Vayera – Avraham vs. Sodom – whose side are you on?

gavriel — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:52:04 +0000

Sodom is presented almost comically – where tzedakkah is punishable death. But we may be more like the people of Sodom than we thought…

Parshat Lech L’cha – Noach evolves into Avraham

gavriel — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:41:33 +0000

The comparison between Noach and Avraham is odious – they represent essential developmental stages, and each did their job perfectly. But now we look at how Avraham is an evolution of Noach’s model.

Parshat Noach – evolution

gavriel — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:42:45 +0000

Noach – a perfect metaphor for evolution? but more like divine selection than natural selection. but toward what end?