Real Torah for the Real World » Parsha

The incense – all of me

gavriel — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 06:05:50 +0000

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

Haviv – a shaliach mitzvah is MORE haviv than one who does it himself

gavriel — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:35:48 +0000

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 7 roots of lashon harah

gavriel — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:29:42 +0000

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 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.