Category Archives: Parshat HaShavuah

Divine Gaze

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

After the fiasco of the golden calf, a resentful God said to the pleading Moses: You cannot see my face, for no one can see my face and live (Exodus 33:20). So says one ancient story teller: It was taught … Continue reading →

Posted in Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry, Talmud | 5 Comments

Overturning A Mountain of Tradition

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

An ancient story teller uprooted Mount Sinai and held it threateningly over the people of Israel: They stood beneath the mountain (Exodus 19:17). Said Rav Avdimi bar Hama bar Hasa, This teaches that the Blessed Holy One vaulted the mountain … Continue reading →

Posted in Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry, Talmud | 2 Comments

Sufficient Meaning?

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

The Torah’s written words are not sufficient.   It is the reading of the word and not the word alone that produces meaning.  Meaning appears when timely experiences enter into conversation with the timeless text. Rashi, the great commentator, gives an … Continue reading →

Posted in Midrash, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry, Torah | Leave a comment

The Lulav: Pointing To Creator and Creature at the Season of Creation

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

It is the manner of earthly monarchs to extend the scepter with favor towards a subject.  During Sukkot, when the lulav becomes the scepter, it is the earthly, earthy subject who extends the scepter with favor towards the horizons and … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Midrash, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry | 4 Comments

Risking the Red Sea

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

In an essay called On Risk and Solitude, psychotherapist Adam Phillips reports an important lesson learned by a young patient who overcame his fear of the water through risk: I knew I was safer out of my depth because even … Continue reading →

Posted in Midrash, Parshat HaShavuah | 6 Comments

The Living Gathering of Ancestors

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

The parshah that recounts the death of Jacob begins:  VaYechi Ya’akov/ Jacob lived.  Some see in this beginning a testimony to unending vitality despite death. Jacob, aware that his life is ending, says:  I am to be gathered to my … Continue reading →

Posted in Midrash, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry | 1 Comment

The Pit in Joseph

Posted on November 25, 2010 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

The story of Joseph begins in parshat VaYeshev where his rise to power begins in a pit:  They [Joseph’s brothers] took him and threw him into a pit (Genesis 27:31). A short midrash explores the effect of this moment on … Continue reading →

Posted in Midrash, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry | 2 Comments

Naming the Angel

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

At the end of a night-long struggle, Jacob earned a new name from his assailant—Israel, the one who prevailed over God. In return, Jacob asked:  Please tell me your name.  And he replied:  Why do you ask my name? (Genesis … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Midrash, Names, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry | 2 Comments

A God Who Takes Place

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran (Genesis 28:10).  The landscape is a blur as Jacob makes his escape from his vengeful brother, Esau. But Jacob’s headlong flight stills at a certain place, at the place: And he came … Continue reading →

Posted in Midrash, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry | 1 Comment

Isaac’s Blindness, As the Story Is Told

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

When Isaac was old, his eyes grew too dim to see (Genesis 27:1). Isaac’s blindness—the first infirmity mentioned in Scripture—sets the stage for deception and for two brothers’ struggle over a birthright and a blessing.  For one ancient sage, Isaac’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Midrash, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry | 5 Comments